Hey Northerners: What is the absolute coldest air temps your chickens have experienced happily!

[lgelwell]

I guess I was wrong. Just did chicken chores and the coop was toasty. Not warm enough for ME, but a good 10-20 degrees warmer than outside. They were shut in last night and I didn't let them out this morning. I might have to re-think leaving the pop door open.

 

[OneCountryChick]

It's been -24 the last 2 nights here in Montana. Our birds looked really miserable this morning. I really wonder if I should add a heat lamp until this cold snap is over.

I've been worried about fire, but I guess if I make sure the heat lamp is very secure it will be all right?

I wonder if the homemade water warmer would add a little bit of heat to the coop? We bring the waterer in at night so it doesn't freeze. And we have an extra one we can put out if the main one freezes during the day.

We have 16 chickens. Coop has pretty thick walls and an insulated roof with plenty of ventilation. Maybe too much ventilation, though. We just started doing the deep litter method a couple of weeks ago.

We made the DIY cookie tin waterer and only keep water in the coop, not the run during freezing temps. No water is ever spilled. We use a plastic waterer with red screw-on tray, with a 40w bulb in the tin. I think it does add some warmth and a wee bit of light thru the lid edge. We place the tin upside down so there is a rim to make the waterer more secure. Place the tin on a cinder block for safety. Seems to be typically 5 degrees warmer. I close the pop door at night. Enough air around doors to prevent frost. I'm in N. Idaho with snow and single digits now. We also use a 40w caged bulb that comes on at 4 am until 9am for additional light which helps the temps a bit in the morning. Hope this helps!

 

[nagope]

Back in January 1982 where i lived then my chickens went for 21 days straight that never got above 0 and no heat, never lost one.

 

[fiddlercricket]

It has been somewhat reassuring to read through these posts.

I'm in Minnesota, and it's been below 0 degrees F...right now we're having a cold snap like much of North America.

Our chicken run has no insulation except for clear plastic shower curtains stapled around it and on top of it (it's kept snow out). The coop is just plywood, nothing fancy. I have put a lot of hay inside the coop, and there's a heated waterer. (The water is not warm, but at least it doesn't turn to ice.)

My four girls don't seem utterly miserable, but I don't think they're thrilled, either. I'm always worried about them. I don't want them to be too uncomfortable, and I'm always inspecting their combs, waddles, and feet for frostbite. I've been coating those chicken parts with bag balm. Lots of snacks are given too, to keep them going.

Not sure if I should give them a heat lamp or not. I tend to, um, spoil my girls and I fret about 'em. But if it's BETTER for them in the long run to avoid artificial heat, well...that's what I will do.

Have a good, chilly evening!

 

[ozexpat]

It has been somewhat reassuring to read through these posts.

I'm in Minnesota, and it's been below 0 degrees F...right now we're having a cold snap like much of North America.

Our chicken run has no insulation except for clear plastic shower curtains stapled around it and on top of it (it's kept snow out). The coop is just plywood, nothing fancy. I have put a lot of hay inside the coop, and there's a heated waterer. (The water is not warm, but at least it doesn't turn to ice.)

My four girls don't seem utterly miserable, but I don't think they're thrilled, either. I'm always worried about them. I don't want them to be too uncomfortable, and I'm always inspecting their combs, waddles, and feet for frostbite. I've been coating those chicken parts with bag balm. Lots of snacks are given too, to keep them going.

Not sure if I should give them a heat lamp or not. I tend to, um, spoil my girls and I fret about 'em. But if it's BETTER for them in the long run to avoid artificial heat, well...that's what I will do.

Have a good, chilly evening!

I am not an expert but I would be cautious of suddenly disbanding heating if it is making a difference in temps. Chickens get used to it and may not do well with abrupt change.

 

[fiddlercricket]

This helps a lot! Thanks. I don't want to make things worse for them.

 

[fiddlercricket]

I am not an expert but I would be cautious of suddenly disbanding heating if it is making a difference in temps. Chickens get used to it and may not do well with abrupt change.

Currently there is no heat lamp, never has been.

I have needed some reassurance that my chickens will be okay in below-zero temps without any heat. Seems like they will be okay! Thanks, helps a lot.

 

[Scott H]

It was zero here this morning with 20mph wind. When the pop door opened they all trooped out including one that's missing half her feathers due to a hard molt....

 

[Scrambles55]

Well... It is about 7 degrees here just before 4 p.m. The girls had to stay in the pen today. I was afraid that it was too cold to let them free range. The BSL and RIR were snuggled in the corner together and the EE was on the roost. The EE seems to be an outcast. Poor thing.... I must get her some friends this Spring..

I gave them some warm cooked Quinoa and wild rice. They kinda liked it. This is the first time that I have given it to them. The BSL did let me know very loudly that she is not pleased with me and that she needs to run free. Maybe tomorrow.... I did get two eggs...

 

[ChickenChatten]

-20 here in Montana...