Chickens Too Cold?

[DaisyBuff]

It's DaisyBuff here. I have 5 Rhode Island red chickens 11 months old. And a golden Buff Orpington Named Daisy 1 year. It has been getting in the teens at night 16 degrees last night. In the day Its about 25-40 degrees normally in the later 20s under freezing temps, should I lock them up in their coop at night with a heat lamp? According to the weather it's just going to get colder, and I know chickens can keep themselves warm, but I still don't know what I should do? I need some help. I also have a little quail named Alice that lives in a pen attached to chicken coop I'm worried about her to.

 

[drinkoj]

See if a cold weather chicken raiser can answer you @aart As you're an hour away but dealing with colder mountain weather than me in the Upstate of SC

 

[Aapomp831]

As long as you keep them dry (aka proper ventilation in the coop) they will be fine. They have the ability to keep themselves warm and heat in the coop is not only dangerous but you don’t want them getting used to it.

 

[aart]

should I lock them up in their coop at night with a heat lamp?

No.
Ventilation is way more important.

 

[DaisyBuff]

No.
Ventilation is way more important.

I took a look at the ventilation forum in your signature, it helped a lot I do not need to worry.

 

[3KillerBs]

As long as your coop is well-ventilated and dry the chickens will keep themselves warm at night with their cozy, down coats.

Do you have space in your run for some straw bales on the upwind side? That's what I've done with mine -- except that I can get storms from any direction so there isn't an "upwind". https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/winterizing-coop-and-pen-nc-sandhills-version.1431885/

 

[DaisyBuff]

Yes I have some room for straw bales.

 

[Mrs. K]

Do not think warm, think DRY. Dry chickens with wind protection are warm birds. Wet, damp chickens from a lot of warm breath, and no ventilation are cold chickens. Think of being out of the shower in your own warm house, you are chilly until you get dried off.

The problem with worrying about being warm, we want to add heat, and close up the coop, which just traps the moisture. Think of being in a car, in cold weather, without the heater blowing, windows fog up almost immediately.

Seems counter intuitive, but open up the ventilation, and keep it open, add a lot of bedding, keep the manure from building up, and have protection from the prevailing wind, and your chickens will be comfortable and healthy.

From SD, we spend at least part of the winter well below zero.

Mrs K