Extreme Cold

[savvychickz]

My chickens coop (I actually use my garage) is 24° which I feel is not ideal, there is quite a lot of chickens in there (60) will they be okay? I definitely don’t want to put heat lamps up. Also, my other 6 month old chicken ran off this morning which didn’t come back at night time. I know we have at least 5 in. of snow on the ground, with temperatures from 20-23° today. Tonight low is about 7°. Theres a lot of barns where she could be bunkered down, all filled with hay. Should I look for her in the morning? Or will she already be dead from the cold?

 

[DobieLover]

My chickens coop (I actually use my garage) is 24° which I feel is not ideal, there is quite a lot of chickens in there (60) will they be okay? I definitely don’t want to put heat lamps up. Also, my other 6 month old chicken ran off this morning which didn’t come back at night time. I know we have at least 5 in. of snow on the ground, with temperatures from 20-23° today. Tonight low is about 7°. Theres a lot of barns where she could be bunkered down, all filled with hay. Should I look for her in the morning? Or will she already be dead from the cold?

Well, I guess extreme cold to you is just cold to others. My chickens went through -21F temps last winter without a problem.
As long as your garage is ventilated, dry and the roosting area is protected from drafts, they'll be just fine.
As for the escapee, if she can find a place in a similar setting she'll be fine as well. I'd be more concerned about her falling victim to predation than freezing to death.

 

[savvychickz]

Well, I guess extreme cold to you is just cold to others. My chickens went through -21F temps last winter without a problem.
As long as your garage is ventilated, dry and the

Yeah I definitely over exaggerated on the cold, I went and checked the barns she usually runs off to and found 20 eggs, I didn’t know she even started laying. No sign of her though which is sad because her eggs are a really pretty olive color.

 

[aart]

My chickens coop (I actually use my garage) is 24° which I feel is not ideal, there is quite a lot of chickens in there (60) will they be okay?

How big is garage, in feet by feet?
That's a lot of chickens....hope you have good ventilation.
All the breathing and pooping from 60 birds is a lot of moist ammonia laden air,
which is much more concerning than cold temps.

 

[chickens really]

Also chickens produce lots and LOTS of dander so a garage isn't ideal as a Coop. Plus as aart mentioned they need ventilation too..

 

[aart]

Also chickens produce lots and LOTS of dander so a garage isn't ideal as a Coop.

I was assuming there were no cars or other engines/fuel stored in there,
that garage was now all coop.....but yeah, now I wonder.

 

[savvychickz]

It’s not a HUGE garage.. maybe like a large shed?, and no definitely not any engines or fuel. They have ventilation, also a lot of them aren’t fully grow. I have about 25ish layers and 25 a couple months away from laying, they are separated in different areas. So I guess not exactly 60. We always make sure it’s always remotely clean. Never smells, and I’ve never had one get sick before.

 

[aart]

It’s not a HUGE garage

One car garage?
Got a tape measure

 

[savvychickz]

One car garage?
Got a tape measure

Yeah, I’ll have to see what it is in the morning since it’s pretty late here. Sorry if I was confusing in my past responses, I can’t word stuff real well haha.

 

[aart]

Yeah, I’ll have to see what it is in the morning since it’s pretty late here

Take a bunch of pics while you are out there, showing roosts and ventilation.
We can help you get ready for winter.

Would also help to know....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!