Once my chicks are grown and are living in their hen house, what is the ideal temperature range? Someone had suggested I add insulation to the walls (we are currently building the coop and I had posted pictures on this site). We had not planned to run power out there....we do have a way to run a drop cord from the barn or garage to the hen house though. Also is it a bad thing to have more than one rooster? Will they fight?
Quote:Not below 50 for layers and not over 105 in general. Both in Farhenheit. You can go below 50, but laying may begin to suffer. Freezing (32) is typically the bottom limit. 70-80 would be ideal.
Sorry I don't really know the temp for grown hens. As for the roosters I just asked that one earlier today and was told I would have to play that one by ear. Sometimes they will try to take the domonint roo and hopefully all they do is get put back in their place.
In the midwest you aren't going to keep a building above 50F without heating it. Most breeds will stop laying in the winter but many will still do fine without health issues down below freezing temps. It depends some on the breed. Some will be fine with a basic 4 sided shelter and some will need insulation. Some may suffer frostbite at below 20F. You'll have to look into a specific breed. It might help to ask any other chicken keepers that live nearby or at your local feedstore.