Coop Temperature confusion

[KnARanch]

Pop doors, wind breaks, humidity controls, horse sawdust, poop insulation?? I'm so confused about keeping my chickies comfortable over the winter!!  



Our shoop is tight. We have a 4x4" solar powered fan (battery backup) and 2 large doors. The doors fit securely to the shoop, but there are minor cracks where light gets through. He has installed a tarp to place securely over the doors at night to protect from snow and wind. There is a tarp over the enclosure to the west but not to the east (we rarely get wind from the east.)
It has a sturdy wood & plywood floor and is raised about 1 foot off the ground.

We now have a thermostat and heat lamp inside & ready to go as it has already been in the 20s overnight here

What in-coop temperatures are best for the hens? We live in Zone 4a in East Central Minnesota. We are sticking with straw for bedding and nesting.

Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

What lows do you get (real temperature, not wind chill)? It sounds like your coop is completely sealed up, what's the humidity like inside vs outside with the fan running?

General recommendation on here is to NOT heat or insulate a coop, and to have ample ventilation to allow moisture to escape. Feathers will keep healthy, standard chickens warm down to -10F or even more as long as they can stay dry and protected from drafts.

 

[KnARanch]

What lows do you get (real temperature, not wind chill)? It sounds like your coop is completely sealed up, what's the humidity like inside vs outside with the fan running?

General recommendation on here is to NOT heat or insulate a coop, and to have ample ventilation to allow moisture to escape. Feathers will keep healthy, standard chickens warm down to -10F or even more as long as they can stay dry and protected from drafts.

Without wind chill, it can get as low as -15. Couldn't tell you the humidity level - but we do want them to be comfortable not just surviving. Do they just go dormant?

We want to let them out in the winter. Is that not a good idea either?

still confused!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Without wind chill, it can get as low as -15. Couldn't tell you the humidity level - but we do want them to be comfortable not just surviving. Do they just go dormant?

We want to let them out in the winter. Is that not a good idea either?

still confused!

See if you can get a hygrometer. Barring that, keep an eye on any windows or metal surfaces in the coop - if you see condensation inside, then humidity is higher inside.

No they don't go dormant but assuming you don't supplement light they'll spend more time resting/sleeping and less time eating. If they're still laying, you'll likely see a drop in egg production.

Many chickens don't like snow. Some do. My flock is spoiled and I shovel pathways in the snow so they'll come out. I think the common approach is to leave the pop door open and let them decide if they want to be in or out. Forcing them to stay confined, especially if you don't have an overabundance of space in the coop, can cause behavioral issues.

 

[rjmyooper]

Without wind chill, it can get as low as -15. Couldn't tell you the humidity level - but we do want them to be comfortable not just surviving. Do they just go dormant?

I live in the same climate as you, in the U.P. of Mi. Our Winters are dry. Not worried about humidity at all. I'm more concerned about warm water and ventilation vs draft.

 

[rjmyooper]

I like these for my mushroom operation, but I'm hanging a set in the coop. They have probes on long wires, and extra outlets are included.