Freezing temperatures

[mbloft]

Chickens out in pen during minus degree wind chills. Have access to going inside, but don't. I don't want frozen combs. Should I have kept them in?

 

[3KillerBs]

Chickens know how to be chickens better than we know how to be chickens.

If they have free access to the inside they'll go in when they need to. Just make sure that they can get out of the wind.

 

[mbloft]

Chickens know how to be chickens better than we know how to be chickens.

If they have free access to the inside they'll go in when they need to. Just make sure that they can get out of the wind.

Yes, to both, but I was afraid they may be too "stupid" to take advantage of what they have.
Not to be misunderstood, we love our chickens, we name our chickens, but sometimes one wunders about their mental state. Thank you for your response.

 

[neo71665]

Chickens know how to be chickens better than we know how to be chickens.

If they have free access to the inside they'll go in when they need to. Just make sure that they can get out of the wind.

this

 

[3KillerBs]

Not to be misunderstood, we love our chickens, we name our chickens, but sometimes one wunders about their mental state.

True.

This was my flock last winter -- sopping wet on a rainy day that barely broke 40F: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wet-hens.1442537/#post-23932868

 

[3KillerBs]

P.S. They were fine.

 

[aart]

Chickens out in pen during minus degree wind chills. Have access to going inside, but don't. I don't want frozen combs. Should I have kept them in?

Are they active or huddled down?
Are there any wind blocks where they are hanging out?
Is feed/water inside or outside?

When it's that nasty out, I keep my birds in the coop.
People who live down south might not understand just how cold it can be.