Frizzle in winter

[trista85]

I’ll startby saying up front that I live in Vermont, and the frizzle wasn’t a planned purchase- she came in a random assortment of bantams I picked up this spring.

That said, I have a well insulated but unheated coop. Is there something I can do to make sure my little girl stays warm this winter? I’ve seen the sweaters, but I’ve also heard they’re not a good idea. She’s the only one I’ve got with this type of feathering so I’m also not sure about putting in a heat lamp. Any advice?

 

[snow5164]

Oh my ! What a doll
I’m thinking just like my silkies she will be cooler then the feathered hens , but anything you try to do be it a heating pad or a heat lamp will affect the rest .

My silkies have their own coop and it’s heated , not sure what to do with only one.

 

[trista85]

Oh my ! What a doll
I’m thinking just like my silkies she will be cooler then the feathered hens , but anything you try to do be it a heating pad or a heat lamp will affect the rest .

My silkies have their own coop and it’s heated , not sure what to do with only one.

Thank you! My 4 year old ADORES this bird. I don't want to over-warm the others, because I also have brahmas lol.

 

[snow5164]

I don’t want to get pounced on for saying this ... but you could set her up inside for winter but just know getting her back with the flock will be a process.

Just a thought and you can weigh the pros and cons... a dog kennel would work well

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

@Brahma Chicken5000

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I have a rescued Frizzle bantam hen named Jane. She has less feathers than your girl. I don’t heat my coops in the winter. As long as the coop has adequate ventilation and no drafts I think she will do fine.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I’ve kept Silkies in unheated coops and they’ve done just fine. My friend who has been keeping chickens for over 20 years has never heated her coop. You know how chickens have butt fluff? Well they grow it for the winter to keep themselves warm. Feathers are great at trapping heat. Even my Leghorns fluffed out and did fine in winter.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have kept frizzles for years here in Wisconsin. They don't need heat. A good insulated coop is enough. They probably won't go outside too much so hopefully your coop is roomy. I put hay out on the snow so they have something to stand on. Frizzles and silkies are hardy when properly housed.

 

[snow5164]

So there you go,” they don’t need heat and they grow new feathers to stay warm”

Believe what you will , they don’t actually grow feathers to stay warm , they do a yearly moult and grow new feathers .... not weather related .

Now it’s up to you ,
I will continue to keep my coops above freezing , have nice unfrozen water and lights on for 10 hours.
I’ll enjoy the eggs and my silkies will stay inside while the others go out!

Now you have to decide

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Actually if you allow animals to acclimate to falling temperatures and don't interfere with that process the coat will thicken up. A chicken will develop a winter coat. Providing extra heat interferes with that process, and leaves birds vulnerable to the elements.