Down to 2 chickens...will they get cold?

[N. Virginia]

Hi Folks:
I'm down to 2 chickens in their new coop. Don't have the electric fence hooked up yet, so will lock them up at night. Do you think I should get more? Isolate the new ones with a double fence in the dog house? If I get new chickens I'll look for some grown up ones as it's getting late in the season for chicks.

I have a 6X8 standard chicken house from Southern States, the kind with the laying boxes exterior to the main section.

Or, I could put a little tent up inside the coop for them to huddle in. Don't have electricity for a lamp or heater.

Let me know your opinions!
Cheers,
N. Virginia

 

[smokinjay]

I think the mini coop inside the coop should do fine. Even point the door to the south east where the wind really never comes from. If its does it not a cold wind.

 

[TigerLilly]

Of course we're all gonna think you need to get more! I know how cold it gets up there, so I would think a few more would be better, but if you have them double insulated (a tent, cardboard box, etc) inside the coop with extra shavings, hay or whatever, I would think they should be ok. It might also help to know what kind of chickens you have to be able to acurately determine their hardiness for the Virginia winters.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If you're not in the northern tier of states, they won't be cold if kept out of direct wind.
I do think you need more though.
Chickens are social animals(need friends) and chickens die.
If one should die the other will be lonely.

 

[N. Virginia]

Thanks Tiger Lilly, Canoe, and SmokinJay. I think I'll get some more. Have Auracanas and someone is selling EE pullets, so they should all match. Will put them in a separate run where they can see eachother; 3 more, henhouse is 6X8', so they'll have room but keep warm. I put the house up on cinderblocks so they'll be able to go underneath and get out of the snow = of I build a little roof over they ramp - ha ha - it's only taken a year to get the hen house up and I still need to finish the electric fencing!

Thanks again for your responses. Will post pics when I can figure that part out!
Cheers,
N. VA.