Coop Temperature confusion

[TheChickenGirl16]

Lookin for a pic rn.

Here it is!
Complete with a Kati Bar!

Here it is during the day when it’s open!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have no idea what a pop door is and i don't think we have one.

So, only use the heat lamp if it gets below -10?

As others answered a pop door is the opening chickens use to get in and out of the coop.

I'd try a radiant heat panel vs a heat lamp if it came down to it. If you MUST use a heat lamp make sure to secure it by more than just the default clamp, and be aware that it carries an additional fire risk as bulbs can shatter and set bedding on fire (whereas a heater panel doesn't have a bulb).

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes, and watch the lamp for dust buildup, which can also catch fire.

 

[Ridgerunner]

What in-coop temperatures are best for the hens? We live in Zone 4a in East Central Minnesota.

The coldest I've had chickens was -10 F (-18 C) so I have not experienced the temperatures you will see. I've worked in similar climates, down to -20 F (-29 C) but did not keep chickens then. Your record low in East Central Minnesota is probably around -50 F (-46 C) but I'd expect most years that you will not get much below -20 F. During your colder weather your outside humidity is typically pretty low.

You have two main concerns with chickens in cold weather. One is frostbite. Combs and wattles are most susceptible, especially single combed chickens like your barred rock and sapphire gems. Technically frostbite is possible anytime the temperature drops below freezing but there are other factors involved. A huge one is moisture. Imagine you walking outside in the dead of winter and being wet. That is very dangerous. Similarly, a lot of moisture in the air (high humidity) increases the risk to your chickens. In a fairly dry environment they can handle very low temperatures without risk of frostbite. Moisture can come from their breathing, their poop, or any open water sources in the coop. We normally handle this through ventilation. Proper ventilation allows excess moisture to escape.

The other risk is that they freeze. Chickens' down helps keep them warm by trapping tiny bits of air. It's not the down itself that insulates them, it is the tiny bits of air that is trapped in that down. Like the wild birds that overwinter where you are, your chickens can handle cold weather as long as those air bubbles are in place. This is why we say they should be protected from direct breezes blowing on them strong enough to ruffle their feathers and release those air pockets.

So how do you provide good ventilation but protect them from breezes? Have your open spaces for ventilation well over their heads. That way the breezes do not disturb their feathers but harmlessly pass over their heads to take out moisture.

I've seen single combed chickens sleep in trees in -10 F weather. You can't get better ventilation than with them sleeping in trees. They were pretty much out of a wind in a sheltered location. If you look at the way their feathers lay if they face into a breeze it is not likely to ruffle their feathers. I've seen them tuck their head under a wing to protect it. With your chickens this should not be a big problem. If you had some of the more decorative chickens with weird feathers it could be an issue.

Another way to manage these risks is to provide heat. Don't let them get that cold in the coop. If it doesn't get much below freezing in the coop they won't get frostbite or freeze. You have to manage the risk if fire. Your heating bills could be really high. Do you have a back-up generator in case of power outage? If you can manage these, heating is an option.

I think you should have a plan for extremely cold weather, those severe cold snaps that can come but not that often. That may mean temporarily moving them to a warmer location (maybe an attached garage) or providing some heat. I don't know what your facilities look like or what your options are. Whether you use it or not, I'd want it easy as the weather may not be real pleasant to work outside and you may have other things you need to be doing.

Good luck with it. Other people manage where you are so it can be done. Good luck!

 

[KnARanch]

No, your concern is if the humidity gets too HIGH. This can lead to frostbite on combs and wattles. That's why you want good ventilation, so humidity can escape. You don't want moisture forming on your ceiling and dripping down on your chickens.

Ventilation, as opposed to drafts, is good. You want air flow above the hens, not blowing on them. Drafts disturbing their feathers is bad. Feathers can't insulate if they are blown away ftom their bodies.

The fan is at the very top of the shoop - at the peak. We will have a tarp covering the door to ensure no draft coming up from the bottom. When inside the shoop, they are very protected from any wind.
Our winters are extremely dry here - it's the extreme cold (days of negative temps) that concern us.

 

[KnARanch]

The coldest I've had chickens was -10 F (-18 C) so I have not experienced the temperatures you will see. I've worked in similar climates, down to -20 F (-29 C) but did not keep chickens then. Your record low in East Central Minnesota is probably around -50 F (-46 C) but I'd expect most years that you will not get much below -20 F. During your colder weather your outside humidity is typically pretty low.

You have two main concerns with chickens in cold weather. One is frostbite. Combs and wattles are most susceptible, especially single combed chickens like your barred rock and sapphire gems. Technically frostbite is possible anytime the temperature drops below freezing but there are other factors involved. A huge one is moisture. Imagine you walking outside in the dead of winter and being wet. That is very dangerous. Similarly, a lot of moisture in the air (high humidity) increases the risk to your chickens. In a fairly dry environment they can handle very low temperatures without risk of frostbite. Moisture can come from their breathing, their poop, or any open water sources in the coop. We normally handle this through ventilation. Proper ventilation allows excess moisture to escape.

The other risk is that they freeze. Chickens' down helps keep them warm by trapping tiny bits of air. It's not the down itself that insulates them, it is the tiny bits of air that is trapped in that down. Like the wild birds that overwinter where you are, your chickens can handle cold weather as long as those air bubbles are in place. This is why we say they should be protected from direct breezes blowing on them strong enough to ruffle their feathers and release those air pockets.

So how do you provide good ventilation but protect them from breezes? Have your open spaces for ventilation well over their heads. That way the breezes do not disturb their feathers but harmlessly pass over their heads to take out moisture.

I've seen single combed chickens sleep in trees in -10 F weather. You can't get better ventilation than with them sleeping in trees. They were pretty much out of a wind in a sheltered location. If you look at the way their feathers lay if they face into a breeze it is not likely to ruffle their feathers. I've seen them tuck their head under a wing to protect it. With your chickens this should not be a big problem. If you had some of the more decorative chickens with weird feathers it could be an issue.

Another way to manage these risks is to provide heat. Don't let them get that cold in the coop. If it doesn't get much below freezing in the coop they won't get frostbite or freeze. You have to manage the risk if fire. Your heating bills could be really high. Do you have a back-up generator in case of power outage? If you can manage these, heating is an option.

I think you should have a plan for extremely cold weather, those severe cold snaps that can come but not that often. That may mean temporarily moving them to a warmer location (maybe an attached garage) or providing some heat. I don't know what your facilities look like or what your options are. Whether you use it or not, I'd want it easy as the weather may not be real pleasant to work outside and you may have other things you need to be doing.

Good luck with it. Other people manage where you are so it can be done. Good luck!

Thank you for all the information!
We are going to use lots of straw for insulation and they have a perch.
Our special chicken, Millie, who we think has Marek's, is our biggest concern. She is stuck on the floor of the shoop and alone. We take her out of her space at least every other day to be in the yard so she can be in the dirt & peck at the grass. She has her own nesting box in her space so we're sure she'll use that for warmth.
We have a portable generator so aren't worried about that.
I'll have a lot more to do this winter!

 

[KnARanch]

As others answered a pop door is the opening chickens use to get in and out of the coop.





I'd try a radiant heat panel vs a heat lamp if it came down to it. If you MUST use a heat lamp make sure to secure it by more than just the default clamp, and be aware that it carries an additional fire risk as bulbs can shatter and set bedding on fire (whereas a heater panel doesn't have a bul

That's a nice set up

No pop door here. Maybe next year

Hubby likes the light idea . It's secured to the ceiling and side where hens can't reach it. As it seems I'll be going out there 4 to 5 times a day, I'll keep an eye on it.

Thank you!