Hard molting chickens in cold just after recovering from RI

[leetfreq925]

I have a couple chickens going through a fairly hard molt right now that just got over a respiratory infection a few weeks ago. I have seen them shiver a little... they have a great appetite and have come out on the snow/ice horribleness we have right now, but the shivering is concerning me. I've hesitated to bring them into the basement as they will lose their acclimation. It's going to be near 0 tonight... seeing as they just got over being sick and i've seen a couple shivers, should I just bring them in, or am i being way too overprotective?

 

[Eggcessive]

Most of the literature says to give sick chickens (especially with respiratory infections) a little heat to prevent chilling. Instead can you make sure they don't have any drafts in the coop along with keeping some overhead ventilation? Heat lamps can be very dangerous in coops, and I would agree that you wouldn't want to get them used to the basement this early in the winter.

 

[leetfreq925]

Yes, I have read that any respiratory ailments need warmth as well which is definitely part of my concern. they are better now and have been outside since thanksgiving, but i am concerned that since they are now molting so terribly that they are more susceptible to getting sick again. I just made the executive decision right before reading this to bring them in. it's always a toss up, but we have another big snow storm after the cold tonight and figured that might be too much. when i picked each of them off their roosts they were already shivering (it's in the low 20s right now) so i think it was a good decision. my coop is very draft free. i have good high up ventilation with a ceiling vent that keeps it dry but warm. no insulation, but it's a good 15 degrees warmer than outside with all of them in there. i think because these two are practically a roaster chicken on a stick they have nothing to fluff up and keep warm. felt like picking up a porcupine... they must be so uncomfortable. they'll be out again on friday morning when the day is above freezing. hope this is the right decision, but it's all a big guessing game, right? i think they might be playing me to come in and get spoiled at this point...

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes when they molt in the dead of winter, they make you feel bad. I like it when they snuggle up to their flockmates in the coop to stay warm on the roost. Hope they enjoy their "tropical vacation" in your basement.