Frost bite concerns?

[parkerpeeps7]

Generally it is recommended to have 4sf per bird. But, some people go with 2sf per bird. I'm with the more room the better crowd. We have had a more or less mild winter, Temps swinging from 10 to over 50 degrees. I would guess your winter has been more or less the same. So, I would get rid of the heatlamps. Do you have a run, or do you just let them freerange? If they have been exposed to the outside, there should be no problem getting rid of the added heat. They will acclimate to the weather. Your ventilation sounds good, but as I posted earlier, keep an eye out for excessive frost build up in the coop. That's a sure sign that there is not enough ventilation. As far as the temps chickens can handle, we have people on here from the midwest and Alaska with subzero temps, and their chickens handle it well. They are a lot tougher than you think.
Jack

Our winter has been the same. It's 60's one day 30's the next. It's crazy! They do not free range and as of now the run has not been built. Starting on that soon, very soon. I would love to let them free range but my stinking neighbors have 2 big hounds that run everywhere! Apparently they do not get the concept of "leash law"

I know they would kill them. I have not seen any frost anywhere in the coop. So that's a good sign. I can't believe they can stand such low temps.

 

[parkerpeeps7]

Mine is the same, open on top on all four sides permanently. During summer I open a window and unblock lower ventilation.
You really don't have cold weather. Don't worry about themn acclimating. They will be fine.
Frost inside is not a sure sign that you need better ventilation. There is no way ventilation can get the humidity inside lower than the humidity outside. With high humidities and dropping temperatures, you can get condensation or frost inside a well-ventilated coop. It is usually not a big deal. The physics are simple. When the air temperature drops below the dew point, moisture comes out of the air. It does not have to fall as rain or snow. It can collect on cold surfaces. If those surfaces are cold enough, it can freeze.
I doubt you will see frost inside in Georgia, but it is very possible to get condensation. I get condensation here and you are more exposed to high humidity off the Gulf of Mexico than I am. Usually when it turns cold enough to freeze here, the air is fairly dry.
Don't overthink it too much and don't get too hung up on details. Give them good ventilation and keep direct breezes off of them and yours will do fine. You just don't get that cold. You really don't compared to a whole lot of other people.

Thank you!!! I am definitely an over thinker and worry a lot, lol. We certainly don't get cold compared to -24 as ambrosia posted! I hate the cold so I probably projected that into my chicken keeping, hehe.

 

[Peachesbabychick]

My girls stay in their coop in any temps below freezing.....

 

[ambrosia]

Holy smokes, -24!!! Where are you, the North Pole???

Minnesota

 

[Triplell]

I too live in Minnesota and I have mine in an old barn that is anything but draft free. I did put plastic around their side of the barn and they are wanting out all the time. Even my guinea's are the same way. Guinea's on the north side -ducks in the middle and the chickens have the south side for the light and they do have 4 heat lamps, 2 clear lights and 2 red. I do this just because I am tired of getting frozen eggs. Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[vjbakke]

I'm in MN as well. The past two days we've had wind chills from -15 to -35. Our girls have not been let out during that, The only heat source they have is a light bulb under a terracotta pot that is under their water to keep it from freezing. Yesterday morning the thermometer said it was 5 degrees in the coop and -15 outside. We have had some black frostbite on all but 2 of our girls combs. They have a fully insulated coop that is in our garage. We didn't have enough ventilation at first, it is fixed now. For you I wouldn't worry about needing and extra heat!

 

[parkerpeeps7]

I'm glad to know that they will be fine! We turned the heat lamps off last night for the 1st time & they were all great today. It got in the high 30's I believe. Thanks again everyone! I'm looking forward to saving power without feeling bad about it.