Cold snap + warmth in run?

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Hello! It's now below freezing where I'm at in WA which is a bit uncharacteristically cold for this time of year. First winter with the pullets, one silkie. Their coop is insulated and draft free, but they never use it during the day. I put some tarps on a couple spots to block drafts and rain on their run, but curious if temp is concerning during the day if they don't use the coop?

 

[RobertaD1]

Keep them as dry as possible....and out of the wind and they will be ok.
IF they become too uncomfortable, they will go back in their coop. No worries!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Your dinosaurs will do just fine. If they didn't like the outside, they'd be in the hen house.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Keep them as dry as possible....and out of the wind and they will be ok.
IF they become too uncomfortable, they will go back in their coop. No worries!

Thank you! I hope so. I've never once seen them use the coop during the day so let's see how this winter pushed them back!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I took this photo when the temperature was 4* Fahrenheit, well below freezing. You may notice the ice from emptying the frozen waterer. I leave the pop door open and let them decide where they want to be. If a cold wind is blowing they seek shelter. If a wind is not blowing they enjoy being outside. They know a lot more about being chickens than I ever will. I let them be chickens. No need to worry about them or feel guilty. They can take care of themselves.

 

[Mrs. K]

^^^ agree

 

[Gdurham]

My pullets are 5.5 months and I’m in Dutchess county nys. Supposed to hit single digits tomorrow night and then the following days possibly a real feel of negatives. I have a thick clear shower liner around the run. Do I need to worry about them being too cold? Negative temps? I feel good about ventilation being good, but still. It’s going to be cold and there are only three of them. Do I need to plop them in our basement?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

My pullets are 5.5 months and I’m in Dutchess county nys. Supposed to hit single digits tomorrow night and then the following days possibly a real feel of negatives. I have a thick clear shower liner around the run. Do I need to worry about them being too cold? Negative temps? I feel good about ventilation being good, but still. It’s going to be cold and there are only three of them. Do I need to plop them in our basement?

BYC has posters from Alaska and Canada with birds in unheated coops doing quite well, even younger, in much colder temps. As long as they are DRY, WELL VENTILATED and DRAFT-FREE. If your birds have those things, you are are fine, an so are they.

 

[Jenwisp]

I'm in NYS, Greene County, neighbor. I put vasoline on their combs and wattles and lined their run with plastic and shower curtains. I have some plastic over the window they like to crowd next to. This is our first chicken winter, too.

 

[MissE]

-30 last night. No heat. One frozen egg. 13 good eggs. 17 hens and one roo. Everyone was just fine. Keep them dry and away from drafts, and you won't have to worry.