Freezing temps - should I keep chickens in coop?

[ludz1970]

This is our first winter with chickens. My hubby tried a heat lamp for a few nights but found it was sapping power from the heated water tank, which had some ice buildup. I'm glad to know they will be fine without the heat lamps during our Minnesota cold snaps!

 

[Peep a Cheep]

Tonight I applied some Waxelene to their combs and wattles this evening because of the low temps expected. How often should I apply that? Every evening or every couple of days?? No one ever says..... Thanks!

I could never find information on how often to reapply either. Personally, I re-apply it on the very cold nights each night right before they are settled on the roost. It is far easier for me to catch them as they are heading up to bed and apply (my husband holds them and I apply). Once the temperature is above 10 all day/night, I usually put it on only once a week or so, just to keep the combs and wattles moisturized...(spoiled hens). Hope that helps!

 

[tatertot]

Im praying for spring

 

[RonP]

Currently 0' with a windchill of -26....it's been much colder already this winter.

Girls are out playing. No heat in the coop.
They can go in if they want.

19F 16% humidity, inside and out.

1/4 inch of snow.

Everyone was inside, I threw out some treats.

Like a train after it enters the station, pushing and shoving, everyone trying to get through the door at once...

 

[gabs1477]

I live in Minnesota where temperatures at this time of year can get down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. I am going to get chickens in the spring and I was wondering if anyone takes their chickens inside when it gets too cold. Also do you recommend insulating or not insulating, I have some spare insulation, but I'm not sure if it is needed or not.

 

[Peep a Cheep]

Yup, I'm working from home today and it's -8 w/ -20 F windchill. I went out to check for eggs, and three girls came running out into the run looking for treats, I obliged by putting treats in both run and coop - options Right now they are all up in their coop, but their water is in their run so they come down periodically to have a drink, eat a treat, and go back up. It's windy today and like many here have mentioned - wind is not appreciated!

When it is not windy, they sit on the stumps I have in the run so they can be off the snowy ground, but they don't seem to mind the snow as long as it's packed down in the run. 5 of my 6 will run around in the snow in the yard, the 6th will start, then stand in one spot and whine until you come pick her up. Then she will try her darnedest to perch on your arm for as long as she can...I think she is part parrot.

Here is their coop and run area (from this fall):

 

[DaKid]

I been keep chickens /ducks/turkey as it seems the love being out in the cool/cold weather up here in Ma. the only ones I place in the coop is the little guys that are from a late hatch seem they don't know when to come in from the cold just like my grandchildren LOL

 

[Blooie]

I live in Minnesota where temperatures at this time of year can get down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. I am going to get chickens in the spring and I was wondering if anyone takes their chickens inside when it gets too cold. Also do you recommend insulating or not insulating, I have some spare insulation, but I'm not sure if it is needed or not.

I don't insulate or provide supplemental heat. and my chickens are doing just fine. On "warm" days, like -15, they spend all day out in their run. Colder days they tend to run in and out between coop and run more. But they are thriving. We've had windchills in Wyoming of -63 already - fortunately that was a south of us but we sure get our fair share here too.

 

[WthrLady]

Now a lovely 1* out. Girls are taking their morning nap on their 2x4 perch in the sun...... outside, next to the wind break

 

[JackE]

Below is a link to a cool old book. On pg-24, you can read about people keeping chickens in open-air coops in -40 temps. Chickens can handle the cold, as long as they are dry, and out of the driving wind.


http://archive.org/stream/openairpoultryho00wood#page/n0/mode/2up