Hot weather/record cold coop question

[BigECart]

With hot and humid summers, I do not have an enclosed and protected coop. The coop is set in the trees, is fully covered with a metal roof, with hardware cloth sides. The roost area is protected on 3 sides (hardi siding) and open to the coop on the south side.

Breed wise I have a mix of heavier breeds and Mediterranean breeds. I brought my Andalusian rooster in because he has some frostbite. We have placed a tarp in front of the roost to better enclose it at night, with an opening on one side for access.

My question is - should I bring my lighter Mediterranean breeds in tonight with temps in the mid-teens? It rarely drops below freezing so they aren’t used to these temperatures. My Egyptian Fayoumi is probably the smallest and lighted bird. I also have a leghorn, and then there’s the laced cornish, which I don’t have much experience with. My Andalusian hen seems to be ok so far, but with a larger comb than the others would also be one I could bring in. I’m comfortable with our setup with mid-20s at night but it’s much colder this week than I have experience with. (Gulf Coast Mississippi)

 

[Kiki]

I am in Houston. I am not doing a thing different for any of my birds. They will be fine.

 

[azygous]

It really depends on what kind of air flow your coop has. Frostbite in a coop occurs when condensation from chickens exhaling forms ice crystals on exposed tissue causing the tissue to freeze. The objective is to maintain adequate air flow so freezing moisture can't form on delicate tissue.

Therefore, avoid placing tarps in a way that cuts out the natural air flow. Air will flow naturally when you have openings down low and openings up high. Cold air enters down low and warms as it enters, then rises and is drawn out through the high openings. (Thermodynamics) You may use tarps to protect from cold wind, but don't seal things up tightly.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I understand, it is unusually cold and white here too.

Growing up, I saw chickens sleep in trees in temperatures around -10 Fahrenheit. Many of these were single combed chickens. They did not have problems, not even frostbite which is the biggest concern. But those were out of the wind so wind chill was not a problem. And you cannot get better ventilation than sleeping in trees.

You are already seeing frostbite and it is going to get colder here, probably there also. Frostbite is usually associated with moisture levels. Our dew point is really low for us but the relative humidity is high. (over 90% here). There is obviously something about your set-up and conditions that is fostering frostbite since you've seen it. it could be something as simple that he dipped his wattles in the water when he got a drink or it could be something else.

I often suggest that people observe and act on what they see, not trust what some stranger like me over the internet tells you that you will see. If you are seeing frostbite and do not know how to fix what is causing it and you can bring them in, I will not criticize you at all if you bring them in.

 

[BigECart]

The rooster is inside for the duration of this storm. He has a huge comb, so that might be why he has frostbite, or maybe it’s something else. He has Marek’s and some neurological issues, and often shakes his head around, so maybe his comb gets wet when he drinks water. Everyone else seem fine for now. I’ll definitely double check the tarp, but I don’t think it is well sealed.

Thanks for the advice!