Do i need to provide heat or will they be fine?

[Mamatomany123]

I've never provided heat to my grown hens. Just let them naturally adjust to cooler weather. They survived our texas snowmageddon last year and we got down to -9 (I did lock them up because they didnt understand snow and kept getting lost in the 4ft deep storm we got). Well this year has been crazy. We were 79 yesterday and 25 today. I'm more worried about Tuesday night/Wednesday. We are going to be 65 on Tuesday then a high of 9 that night with snow on Wednesday. Should I provide heat? I'm so scared of a fire. They have a draft free coop with tons of hay to hunker down in if needed. Plus there are 25 of them so they can huddle together. I know it's not too cold for chickens but my main worry is the sudden drop in temperature. Advise?

 

[mowin]

Of they survived last yrs temp, I wouldn't worry about it. Close to coops up and they will be fine.

 

[Mamatomany123]

@mowin: they did great last year. I couldn't have provided heat even if I wanted to because we lost power. But we gradually got cold,it wasn't sudden. That's my main concern.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Don't do heat dear. Too scary plus it's better to let them get their metabolism do the work. I know my DH is always worried about hens in the cold, but they are wearing down parkas with those feathers! I always think of the folks here from Canada and Alaska, Mich. and they do fine. I have a thermometer in coop and it was 17 one night and they're fine. Keep them dry cause ya know Madder than a WET HEN! lol

 

[mowin]

@mowin: they did great last year. I couldn't have provided heat even if I wanted to because we lost power. But we gradually got cold,it wasn't sudden. That's my main concern.

The only type of heat I'd be comfortable using in a chicken coop would be one of those oil filled radiator looking heaters of you really think they will need it.
I'd lock em up and give em a little extra carbs

 

[saysfaa]

Those are big swings in a pretty short time. I would give it some thought, too.

What has your weather been like lately? How much has it been swinging? And how cold has been getting in the last few weeks?

If this is as much an unusually warm day as it is an unusually cold night it makes less difference. If it has been getting cold enough for them to fluff their feathers and/or shift to a different place or closer together on the roost or such things, they already know what to do. The short time frame of the swing won't make much difference.

 

[Mamatomany123]

@saysfaa: pur weather has been pretty crazy latley. We got down to 13 the other night but tonight is only a low of 35. Monday and Tuesday are only a low of 45 then Wednesday is when we get cold. The day we got down to 13 they did fluff up and I noticed them staying in their coop. The good thing is I've noticed the coop is staying pretty warm compared to the outside. Not sure if it's the hay or maybe because it's out of the wind. I'm thinking the windchill is what's making it so cold so hoping that since the coop is draft free it will help.

 

[saysfaa]

@saysfaa: pur weather has been pretty crazy latley. We got down to 13 the other night but tonight is only a low of 35. Monday and Tuesday are only a low of 45 then Wednesday is when we get cold. The day we got down to 13 they did fluff up and I noticed them staying in their coop. The good thing is I've noticed the coop is staying pretty warm compared to the outside. Not sure if it's the hay or maybe because it's out of the wind. I'm thinking the windchill is what's making it so cold so hoping that since the coop is draft free it will help.

I think they are well used to the cold and the swings and will be fine without changing anything you are doing.