My birds are almost 3 years old- 2 buffs, 1 BR, and a wyandotte. The BR and wyandotte are mid-molt. We are in MA and in the midst of the "bomb cyclone", with the weather dropping this weekend to ACTUAL temperature of -11F, with winds of 20-30mph. The coldest (according to my coop thermometer) that it has been in my coop in the past 2 years is -2F. Coop seems to stay about 4-5 degrees warmer than the outside.
My coop has had good ventilation so far, struggling with humidity with all the snow (according to my hygrometer it's been 65-80%), but no frost or moisture in it (I scoop poop daily, no water inside it). It has deep, clean shavings in it, wide roosts. Outside run is wrapped in plastic. Area under coop where birds hang out is filled with straw (where the ducks live).
I am VERY worried about this unprecedented weather. My birds have done well so far- eating, scratching for treats, dust bath in their temporary dust basin, etc.
I have electricity to my coop- they have a night light on at all times, but I was thinking of leaving the main light (40 W presently) on throughout the cold nights? Maybe it will add a couple more degrees of warmth??
Or do I bring them into my basement for Friday till Sunday and put them back out Monday when it's hight 30's???
pic of my coop for reference....(a couple summer's ago when it was beautiful and warm out)
My coop has had good ventilation so far, struggling with humidity with all the snow (according to my hygrometer it's been 65-80%), but no frost or moisture in it (I scoop poop daily, no water inside it). It has deep, clean shavings in it, wide roosts. Outside run is wrapped in plastic. Area under coop where birds hang out is filled with straw (where the ducks live).
I am VERY worried about this unprecedented weather. My birds have done well so far- eating, scratching for treats, dust bath in their temporary dust basin, etc.
I have electricity to my coop- they have a night light on at all times, but I was thinking of leaving the main light (40 W presently) on throughout the cold nights? Maybe it will add a couple more degrees of warmth??
Or do I bring them into my basement for Friday till Sunday and put them back out Monday when it's hight 30's???
pic of my coop for reference....(a couple summer's ago when it was beautiful and warm out)