I'm sort of worried about some cold fronts coming around my area. it hasn't been a problem until now, because I live further south. can anyone tell me when chickens will catch sicknesses or need a heat lamp? In farenhiet OR celcius?
I hold with PouletsDeCajun (your name makes me wish I had some fried gator tail!) I hook up lamps when it gets a little above freezin.
Our chickens are spoiled rotten. It is only about 35 at night here and they have a heater. Seriously, they do.
I just go with..how cold is it for me, I'm bigger (and almost smarter) If I'm uncomfortable, I'm sure they are too.
I live in upstate New York. Winters here are long & fairly cold ie: 20 below is not unusual. I don't try to heat my coop & don't know anyone who does. If your coop is draft free & dry you shouldn't have any illness problems. Pheasants, Partridge & Turkeys,all relatives of barnyard birds, live outdoors all winter. They come with down coats remember.
I'm between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY and don't use any heat. My neighbor has bantams and doesn't heat either. The chickens are out all winter and frolic in the snow, lol.
