Cold Weather! Help!

[4 Georgia Hens]

Hi all!
Here in GA, it has been in the lower 30s at night, and the upper 50s during the day. I don't know if I should feel worried for my chickens or not, but I still am concerned. Is there anything that I can do to their coop to make it warmer? I don't own a heat lamp. I have 2 Red SexLinks, 2 Wynadottes, and 2 Black Bantam Silkies. Will they be okay in this weather? Or is there something I can do?

PS. They free-range all day.
Thanks all.

 

[Howard E]

If you are letting them truly free range, you should be deathly worried about them. Risk of harm from that is 1,000X greater than cold weather in your area.

The cold weather........not so much. Most birds can fend for themselves down to 0F with no issues. Basic needs are to be dry (meaning well ventilated), free of drafts and always have constant access to clean, fresh water and feed to fuel their furnace. NOT heated, but an abundance of natural sunlight is desirable. Do all that and they will be grins and giggles all winter long.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

If you are letting them truly free range, you should be deathly worried about them. Risk of harm from that is 1,000X greater than cold weather in your area.

The cold weather........not so much. Most birds can fend for themselves down to 0F with no issues. Basic needs are to be dry (meaning well ventilated), free of drafts and always have constant access to clean, fresh water and feed to fuel their furnace. NOT heated, but an abundance of natural sunlight is desirable. Do all that and they will be grins and giggles all winter long.

Ok thanks! And just to let you know, my yard is TINY, and check on them quite frequently.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

If you are letting them truly free range, you should be deathly worried about them. Risk of harm from that is 1,000X greater than cold weather in your area.

The cold weather........not so much. Most birds can fend for themselves down to 0F with no issues. Basic needs are to be dry (meaning well ventilated), free of drafts and always have constant access to clean, fresh water and feed to fuel their furnace. NOT heated, but an abundance of natural sunlight is desirable. Do all that and they will be grins and giggles all winter long.

How do I tell if my coop is free of drafts?

 

[Howard E]

How to check for drafts? Hang a long piece of ribbon.......or I use plastic flagging tape........hang it from the ceiling above and then past the roost bars. Ideally, they will hang limp most of the time, regardless of what the wind is doing outside. If they are flying and dancing, that location is "drafty", meaning wind chill.

If you are cold at night, do you want to sleep under a moving ceiling fan to cool you off even more or turn that thing off? That is the concept.

Rather than "free ranged", your birds are "yarded". Enclosed within an area of protection. Far better than nothing, but you might be shocked at what can still get in. Keeping an eye on them while they are out and about being a really good idea.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

How to check for drafts? Hang a long piece of ribbon.......or I use plastic flagging tape........hang it from the ceiling above and then past the roost bars. Ideally, they will hang limp most of the time, regardless of what the wind is doing outside. If they are flying and dancing, that location is "drafty", meaning wind chill.

If you are cold at night, do you want to sleep under a moving ceiling fan to cool you off even more or turn that thing off? That is the concept.

Rather than "free ranged", your birds are "yarded". Enclosed within an area of protection. Far better than nothing, but you might be shocked at what can still get in. Keeping an eye on them while they are out and about being a really good idea.

Ok.