How cold is to cold?

[six_eclectic_chickens]

We live in Canada. It got down to about -1 celcius last night and is 0 right now. Our chickens are out in the yard as usual. Don't get a heat lamp, cause it will make them more suceptible to disease. The warmth at night makes their bodies ajust for warm weather, then when they go out the cold hits them hard. You shouldn't have to worry about them. Make sure their water doesn't freeze though!

 

[J&J's Girls]

Thank again for all the advise. Wanted to make sure I was doing everything I could and should. Which I am happy to report I was! There is 4 to 6 inches of straw in 1/2 the run and a solid 6 inches in the coop. Were careful to never let the waterers freeze I put a wireless thermometer and a humidity reader in the coop to see exactly where it stands! Merry Christmas!

 

[JackE]

J&J's Girls :

The hens range from 5 months to 8months. They are shielded from our westernly winds by a cinderblock wall. the coop has a small entrance for them to enter that I close at night, but I drilled holes in it to allow ventalition. They have been outside since each was a month old or so. And the summers here are brutal I have screen inserts for the hot months to allow the breeze to move through. They all are chipper and playing around the yard, like usual. We only had one night last year in the neg's. It was -7. If its that cold I might put the heat lamp out there. Thanks guys.

Read this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=604752

Do you still want a heatlamp? You don't need it, and really you don't need any insulation either. I don't have any in my coop and the birds are thriving.
Jack​

 

[7L Farm]

Man where were all the heat threads when it was 100 plus degrees here in Texas. Bring on the cold I'm not toting ice water Its been 23 & their lovingt it. Bring it my chickens well some of them wear down jackets.

 

[J&J's Girls]

Thanks. I have a heat lamp for chicks. never been in the coop. I think were good to go here.

 

[J&J's Girls]

Well currently (8:05pm mtn) it is 9`f outside and 27`f inside the coop, no heater or light! Way to go girls! Were so proud of them. The next few days are going to be brutal. We got 6in+ of snow today and more on the way tomorrow. If they can keep the coop that much warmer it just makes us that much more comfortable as the temps will get a bit lower the next 48hrs.
I wasn't able to go to work today and am feeling a bit cooped up!

What is a temp and humidity range inside the coop everyone is comfortable with?
Thanks for your input!

 

[Yonaton]

Think of it this way...the wild birds (sparrows, those nasty rats with wings called pigeons, and whatever indiginous birds are in your area etc) don't have anyone putting out heaters for them through the winters and they survive just fine. The chickens will do okay also.

 

[deerman]

Quote:
many of those do die thru the winters....like quail here in Ohio about 70 % don't make it the 1 st year. I agree those breed of chicken can take the cold ,with proper buildings.


That alway get me when people thing the wildlife survive ....some do but with high lost, they just reproduce the next spring so fast.

 

[JodyJo]

My chickens were in the coop last night with -20....no heat, pop door open, did fine.
Keep the drafts off and they will do great!
Mine walk around in the subzero, digging in the snow as well...doesn't really bother them at all!

 

[7L Farm]

It doesn't get that cold here. But its been 19 degrees in my coop & they did fine. The roo had alittle frost bite. But that big overgrown drumstick can handle it.