Chickens dying from cold

[ak2787]

Help! This is my first winter with chickens and I thought I was prepared! They are in a coop at night and I’ve made sure there is no major drafts. I make sure they have access to clean and unfrozen water, food, and plenty of straw. I’ve read you shouldn’t use heat lamps because it will interfere with their ability to handle the cold and that chickens do better in cold than heat. However, I’ve lost 2 chickens to the cold and this morning my roosters combs had frostbite so bad they were bleeding. I slathered them in Vaseline and noticed their wattles were literally frozen. I’m putting a heat lamp in there tonight. I don’t know what else to do?! My poor babies are freezing to death!

 

[centrarchid]

Pictures needed. My birds out exposed to elements without issue. You are leaving potentially key details out.

 

[centrarchid]

Include location as well. Current pictures of birds plus coop.

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

What temperature is it at your house? I've never had chickens die, even at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. However, I do always put a heat lamp in, not only to provide heat but to also keep them laying. If you think that they are dying of the cold, then I would say definitely put a heat lamp in. If that still doesn't help and you get desperate, you might even need to keep them in a shed or garage. Good luck, and I hope you figure this out!

 

[Ruralhideaway]

There are so many elements of winter comfort.

Someone here will be able to help you save the others for sure. But questions to answer:
How many birds
Square feet of the coop
Height of the ceiling and roosts
Location and approximate size/ photos of the ventilation
What's the water set up. Frozen wattles could mean they are dipping them right into the water. Maybe not ideal for your climate.
Location? And yes photos!

 

[junebuggena]

Cold isn't the problem. Moisture trapped inside the coop is. Pics of your setup are needed so that we can advise on how you can improve their living conditions.

 

[Abriana]

Prima heat lamps, they have a protective cover that really lower fire risk. They were recommended by my farm vet. I use them and am really happy and can rest assured that my chickens are warm and comfortable without being worried that they’re in danger.
I’m so sorry you’ve lost your birds.
Don’t rub the frostbite, it’s super painful. Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water in it and just hold the wattles and comb in it, do not rub. Use vitamin E on it, helps with healing.
Make sure the coop has adequate ventilation. And keep the rooster in the coop in a crate from now on with heatlamp (maybe you’ll even need two) when it’s below thirty two degrees. Also you might want to be careful with his frostbite injures and him on the roost at night. The hens would peck my rooster and then he bleeds so now he has to be in the crate whenever it’s night and the heat lamp is on, and then he can’t be out during the day because of the dried blood. I learned this lesson the hard way!!
Good luck!

 

[Molpet]

I don't get real cold (-24f is the lowest) but I have never had a chicken die of the cold unless it was a small chick that wandered off from the broodie ... I do not have heat or a light..we do need more details

 

[Chickassan]

Are you keeping water inside your coop? And are you keeping droppings removed?

 

[micstrachan]

I am so sorry. Not much experience with that here in warm California (though had frost this morning). My hunch is ventilation is a bigger issue. What is on the floor? I hear a thick layer of straw (as long as they don’t eat it) insulates well. Can you somehow insulate the roof and/or walls without blocking ventilation? Is it possible you missed a draft that’s hitting the area where they roost?
Photos would be helpful. No judgement. We’re all doing our best and trying to learn from each other.