Do chickens like warmer or cooler temperatures?

[theoldchick]

Chickens get stressed at 90 degrees. They can survive hot temps but don't be trying to catch them in that kind of heat. They'll drop dead on you.

The temps you have asked about are not extreme but I expect a chicken would be happier at 60-70 degrees. I know I would be.

 

[centrarchid]

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Chickens are under stress when that cold.

 

[stormylady]

Mine do better in the cooler temps, well at least they seem more comfortable.

But most of mine are cold hardy breeds. The do ok in temps up to like 90 depending on the humidity.

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
Chickens are under stress when that cold.

Maybe but mine are still outside running around even though they have food and water in the coop?

 

[centrarchid]

We need to consider that chickens exhibit a range of responses to temperature. Such responses are often energetically demanding or force birds to make some sort of sacrifice.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
Chickens are under stress when that cold.

Maybe but mine are still outside running around even though they have food and water in the coop?

Some of mine with choice roost on front porch on north side of house without protection from wind even on coldest winter night (-15 F). Same birds next morning will fly 200 feet over snow to get to feeding station that is also exposed to low temperatures but is also a good place to watch for and evade predators. Alternative for warmth would be pressed up against house. They are making choices and temperature is not only part of equation.

 

[teach1rusl]

I believe most commercial poultry houses (laying hens) maintain a range around 65-80, and of course humidity would be controlled. I doubt those birds are "happy" for other reasons, but those temps are supposed to be ideal for laying...aka - low stress temps.

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
Maybe but mine are still outside running around even though they have food and water in the coop?

Some of mine with choice roost on front porch on north side of house without protection from wind even on coldest winter night (-15 F). Same birds next morning will fly 200 feet over snow to get to feeding station that is also exposed to low temperatures but is also a good place to watch for and evade predators. Alternative for warmth would be pressed up against house. They are making choices and temperature is not only part of equation.

Yes but the question was Do chickens like warmer or colder temps, mine prefer to hang out in cooler, they have access to indoors if they want to go in but, they ,most days prefer to roam around outside even when there food is inside the coop thats all I was saying.

As where in the summer during very warm humid days they do all the can to stay inside and out of the sun, and appear decidely (SP) more uncomfortable.

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
Mine lay best during those temp too.

 

[centrarchid]

Experiment time! Some folks need to get those reptile heater block things used in pet trade. Put them out where birds can get to them. Also have feed placed near some but not all. At some point as temperatures drop the birds will seek locations with both feed and heater block. If some of those also provide cover from predators I predict those locations will be most preferred. Otherwise I suspect strongly they do not like being in henshouse rather than liking to be out in cold.