Frostbite Risks (in Florida)

[Abby3465]

Alright, so I've read dozens of opinions over the last 24 hours here on BYC. I am in north central Florida on the west coast. The temps have been going down to 32° and slightly below for the last 48 hours and will continue to do so for the next couple days. I have 5 hens. They have a coop area and a run area. The coop area has a small (pre-fab) wooden enclosed area where the nest boxes are located. There are also roost bars outside of the pre-fab. See Camera screenshot. The entire outside of the coop area is wrapped with tarps. There are ventilation areas on front and back side in a triangular shape measuring approximately 18" to 24" at it's widest point and approximately 18" at it's highest point. See photo.There is also a radiant heater inside the pre-fab area for the smaller breeds (silkies). That's where they choose to roost. There is also a thermometer inside the box that typically shows at least 5 degrees higher than the "outdoor" temp, presumably because of the radiant heater.
With all that said, when do I need to worry about frost bite? The 3 larger hens insist on roosting outside of the box on the taller roost bars. I get why. No need to explain that point. I've read conflicting opinions on whether or not petroleum jelly works as a buffer on combs, wattles & feet. These girls are a year and a half old. They have been through a Florida winter once before. Although I can't remember it getting this cold last year for more than a night at a stretch. The humidity hasn't been more than 55% lately, which is low for us. Currently it's at 57%. This morning it's been at or below 32° for the last 3 hours and will not get above 32° for another 2 hours.
So, with humidity & temps taken into account, can any northerners please tell me at what combination of the 2, do I need to take further action to keep these girls from getting frostbite? And will the petroleum jelly help in my case?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

You should be fine. Fellow Floridian here - though I am colder than you, being in the N FL Panhandle close to AL. We were 28 overnight.

Frostbite is most prevalent when MOIST cold air gets frapped in the coop. I don't use heat (granted, I have bigger bidrs than silkies), and only about half my flock has large prominent combs, but I've yet to have frostbite issues simply by having a draft free, well ventilated, place for them to roost. On particularly dry, still nights, some of my birds still choose to roost on the roof of my hen house, or the gate, if you can believe it!

 

[Abby3465]

You should be fine. Fellow Floridian here - though I am colder than you, being in the N FL Panhandle close to AL. We were 28 overnight.

Frostbite is most prevalent when MOIST cold air gets frapped in the coop. I don't use heat (granted, I have bigger bidrs than silkies), and only about half my flock has large prominent combs, but I've yet to have frostbite issues simply by having a draft free, well ventilated, place for them to roost. On particularly dry, still nights, some of my birds still choose to roost on the roof of my hen house, or the gate, if you can believe it!

Yeah..we actually hit 28° as well. I was up at 4am...worried about the birds. When I saw the temp at that time, I began to worry about them. Apparently tonight and tomorrow night will be slightly colder, according to our forecast.
I mentioned the ventilation gap size because I worried that maybe it was too much.
The only thing I have going for me right now is both my orpingtons combs have shrunk up some due to a very recent heavy molt (and no laying). Less surface area at the moment. I don't worry as much about the polish with all her head feathers.
And I get the roosting on top of the house. That's why I added the roost bars about a year ago. They all wanted to be on top of the box/house. Trying to get the poop off the roof was a nightmare! That's why there's a towel in the screenshot. They still want to try and get up there occasionally.
Thanks for the insight. Currently waiting for temps to rise. Still at 32° at 8:25.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Currently 29 here. Fortune favor you!

(and my coop had over 32 sq' ft of open ventilation, with just 96 sq ft of footprint - don't panic about ventilation unless it results in drafts - granted, mine was "unusually designed", but still)

 

[Abby3465]

Okay. Sounds good. I know it's warm in there. Although, I dont know how much warmer. I need to add another thermometer. When I go out to clean on any given cold day, I start in the run area, all bundled up. When I get to the coop area, I generally have to shed 1 layer of clothing. They have food & water available in the coop area. I'll give them a thorough inspection when I go out to clean... after it warms up enough for humans.

 

[Mrs. K]

While it sounds gruesome, really a bit of frostbite would not kill your birds.

And I do understand that you don't want them to have it, I would be dumbfounded if you got it at those degrees. People up here do not even wear coats at those temperatures, maybe a hoody.

When I have gotten frostbite, is oddly enough, not when it is bitter cold. When the poop is frozen solid, the air is dry, and my chickens do fine. Mine are susceptible to frost bite, when we have had bitter cold, then a chinook, which will warm things up quickly, and everything melts - that night, the temperature will plunge with the darkness and that is when I have had birds get nipped.

high humidity + below 15 degrees. I try and get the bedding out of the coup, and fresh and dry laid in to prevent it.

BO are good cold weather birds.

Mrs K

 

[Abby3465]

While it sounds gruesome, really a bit of frostbite would not kill your birds.

And I do understand that you don't want them to have it, I would be dumbfounded if you got it at those degrees. People up here do not even wear coats at those temperatures, maybe a hoody.

When I have gotten frostbite, is oddly enough, not when it is bitter cold. When the poop is frozen solid, the air is dry, and my chickens do fine. Mine are susceptible to frost bite, when we have had bitter cold, then a chinook, which will warm things up quickly, and everything melts - that night, the temperature will plunge with the darkness and that is when I have had birds get nipped.

high humidity + below 15 degrees. I try and get the bedding out of the coup, and fresh and dry laid in to prevent it.

BO are good cold weather birds.

Mrs K

Thank you for the insight. I will keep an close eye on them none the less.