Can chickens stand the cold weather?

[rancher hicks]

There are certainly many opinions on how to deal with the cold and we all have to do what helps us sleep at night I guess.

Bogtown - you don't need to duck. You're entitled to your opinion and if someone else follows suit and it works for them what does it matter?

The main thing is we get all kinds of ideas on how to deal with this blasted cold. Then we can choose our own way.

I got 3 for 4 eggs from one coop and their door what wide open today and it's freezing. They were outside and if it bothered them I can't say.

The other coops did well today for eggs and I'm happy for that. They have a light on all day and until 8 - 9. While the runs are covered they are NOT air tight.

The final coop I think needs a light on too. Those crazy birds sleep right in front of the opening. I do have plans to cover it with fleece though.

So folks do what you think is best without apology. Just be safe,

Rancher

 

[bwalden]

If you think they will freeze I would shut them up. Not sure how cold we are talking about but if it's below freezing point for several days or weeks they could freeze or get severe frostbite. Do you have maybe a heat lamp you could put in your coop just to keep it a little warmer for them? Also how well insulated is your coop? I have shut mine inside for a day or two when it's been really cold. Of course they would rather get out and run around the run. Chickens do surprise me sometimes with their tolerance for cold and heat. They are tougher than we think. Good luck!

 

[TheReadyBoys]

If you think they will freeze I would shut them up. Not sure how cold we are talking about but if it's below freezing point for several days or weeks they could freeze or get severe frostbite. Do you have maybe a heat lamp you could put in your coop just to keep it a little warmer for them? Also how well insulated is your coop? I have shut mine inside for a day or two when it's been really cold. Of course they would rather get out and run around the run. Chickens do surprise me sometimes with their tolerance for cold and heat. They are tougher than we think. Good luck!

No heat lamp in the coop and no insulation on the walls. Thanks, too. This will help.

 

[TheReadyBoys]

Maiden and Ridge, thanks for the great info! Ridge, I will be reading those shortly.
The weather is below 0 for the next few weeks, so I may let them out a bit and monitor them closely.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Mine free range at any time of year. They just dont care for rain or wind so ont hose days they choose to stay in

 

[LittleJJs]

We leave are 6 hens in our basement and it is freezing out in Tennessee.

 

[TheReadyBoys]

How cold in Tennessee?
Also, centrarchid, thanks for the info. I usually fill the feeder up so that it is overflowing, almost.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

If you think they will freeze I would shut them up. Not sure how cold we are talking about but if it's below freezing point for several days or weeks they could freeze or get severe frostbite. Do you have maybe a heat lamp you could put in your coop just to keep it a little warmer for them? Also how well insulated is your coop? I have shut mine inside for a day or two when it's been really cold. Of course they would rather get out and run around the run. Chickens do surprise me sometimes with their tolerance for cold and heat. They are tougher than we think. Good luck!

This isn't true. Chickens will not freeze if it's below the freezing point, and a heat lamp is not needed just because the temperature is below freezing. For a hen to get "severe frostbite" it would have to be well below zero, like -20, AND there would have to be too much moisture in the coop (not enough ventilation). In Arkansas, it will never get cold enough to need a heat lamp or to confine the birds.

Chickens are well adapted to the cold, and mine will be outside foraging at -20 degrees F. At -15 to -20 F, I do hang a single heat lamp over the perches to give them a little relief, but not until then.

Now, the OP is from Canada, and their hens will see a LOT more cold than hens in Arkansas. They might want a heat lamp when the nights get really cold. But I definitely wouldn't lock them in the coop. Hens aren't smart, but they're not stupid either. If they get cold outside, they go inside to warm up. It's 30 degrees F here today (-2 C). These hens are not going to freeze:

 

[TheReadyBoys]

Thanks everyone. The hens are outside in the run today and are doing fine, but this is probably the warmest it will be, around -10 or so.

 

[bwalden]

No heat lamp in the coop and no insulation on the walls. Thanks, too. This will help.

I didn't say put insulation on your wall. I ask how we'll insulated is your coop? If you have no insulation at all that will directly contribute to how cold your coop will be. I use a heat lamp with a 100 watt bulb. My coop is ventilated and it stays above freezing inside.