How cold can it get before closing up the coop?

[ChickMomma]

The floor of my coop is welded wire and there are screen sections in the doors of my coop. I also have a vent on the front that is covered with screen. (pictures are in my sig link if you need to see what I am talking about. I live in central NC and right now it is getting into the high50's at night, but it still gets into the high 80's and low 90's during the day.

What should I close up first? The doors, floor, or vents? And at what temperature does the coop need to be draft free?

I think I should go ahead and close the doors because that opening is the same height as the roosts so if a breeze blows it would blow on them. Then maybe the floor when it starts getting into the low50's at night. Then the vents when it hits the 40's at night.

What are your thoughts on this? This is the first winter I have had chickens.

Thanks
Susanne

 

[justusnak]

Susanne....sounds to me like you have the right plan. As long as they dont get a draft....especially when roosting. You can always open it back up, when the temps get too warm.

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

I have chickens in -30 and I don't close the barn doors at night but in the wind I do even if the temperature is above freezing. It's not the temperature I would worry about, if they live in it they are growing the right feathers for it generally. There are some breeds that do better in some hot or cold extremes. Wind however parts the feathers so they need protection from that. Beware locking them up so much they lack ventilation as the condensation is worse than the drafts. That will cause mold in the coops and give them respiratory infections. Especially at near freezing the condensation is the worst so be careful there.