Extreme Cold Warning

[seven possums]

Just tagging in with my own concerns and fears for my girls with this -25F cold coming in.
They have a cozy coop panel (below the roost...I've yet to ever see one of them next to it) inside the coop and a small pop door that lets them stay in or go out. Windbreak blanket secured and draped against the side of the coop that gets hit the worst with WNW winds.
None of the three left after Nov-December's losses are laying right now, they could pile up in the deep hay in the nesting box if they wanted.

The heated waterer doesn't fit inside the coop, the smaller heater doesn't keep the smaller waterer from freezing, so bucket brigade if they refuse to come out of the coop. Snow's as deep as the wind block panels around the perimeter of the run. Insulation.
Plastic translucent tarps around the sides getting torn up by the wind despite cut-throughs.
Big heap of hay in the corner of the run they like to shelter in most.
Giving them coconut oil nibbles for calories to burn.
That's the best I can do...

 

[Chichisx5]

Hey, All!

We have an extreme cold warning here tomorrow and I'm wondering if anyone has advice for how to help my girls through it. The high is going to be -20F with wind chills up to -40F. They have radiant heaters mounted near the roosts they can lean against for extra warmth (doesn't heat the air) and the coop is brand new (just built this summer with extra insulation). We do have about 2 sq ft of open ventilation (covered with hardware cloth) just under the roof on two sides. They have a heated water nipple drinker, so they have fresh water at all times.

I have 3 Buff Orpingtons and 2 Light Brahmas. Should I cover the ventilation at all? Should I keep them locked inside the coop tomorrow? Should I bring them inside with temperatures that low (I know that's usually bad because then they won't be acclimated to the cold, but would it potentially save their lives?)? Or bring them into the garage? Do nothing and let them be?

Thanks for any advice you may have. It's a record low and I want to make sure they make it through okay.

Hello!
We are also having negative temps in my state of Indiana. Our chicken house is solid and can be really buttoned up for the winter. I purchased 4 Cozy coop heaters from chewy. Built a 2x4 frame measuring 5ft long x 30 inches tall x 30 inches wide. Covered with plastic some insulation (I used foam board from hardware store) with an another tarp (so the girls did not peck at it). I want to note I did leave the back open so I could push against the wall. The reason ..I mount Cozy Coop heat panels to the wall. A roost and cut a door opening and the girls love it. We have had some nights -20……that’s when I set up a portable dog kennel in my garage….stayed a balmy 40…garage is insulated too. I hope this helps….the heat panels are well worth the investment if you have electricity in chicken house.

 

[gretchenconnect]

Same temps here in Minnesota. The brahmas do just fine in it and my wyandottes and silkies too. No drafts and dry is the key. I do not supply any supplemental heat. I did keep them in their coop when it was windy as their run is still breezy even with the clear tarps we installed on it. Of course, heated water and free feed them to keep them warm.