How cold is TOO cold for a chicken?

[Six Chickies]

I realize that this thread has gone 'cold' for a few months. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Any way, I haven't seen very many testimonials to Seramas beating temps like Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain talked about anywhere on BYC... I live about half an hour south of Georgian Bay, which is in Ontario, and being near a bay doesn't stop us from reaching **DAYtime** temps of -20-ish degrees Celsius, so about -4 F. It can get down to -32C sometimes at night. If I had about 25-35 chickens (including Seramas) in a large 12'L by 6 1/2'H by 8'W Quonset hut, with a thick blanket of wood shavings on the floor, do you think my Seramas (getting chicks in about a month) would be able to stand the nighttime temps? We're talking no heat, just bird-power. It's the night I'm worried about, because I'm hoping they wouldn't be stupid enough to go outside if it was really cold.
Thanks
Six Chickies

 

[loveourgirls10]

Thanks all!! We are 1st time chicken owners, going in to our 1st winter. I've read and re-read and know In my brain that my girls will be fine in the cold. We built them an amazing insulated, top of the line coup. I could live in in quite nicely all winter. We had a drastic drop, which isn't unusual, from 90's to 48 tonight. We can go to -15 during the winter. I have been driving my husband crazy worried for our girls. I feel so much better now,!! Thank you!!

 

[Hedwig]

what is too cold for 3-4 week old chicks? we just got them but want to put them out before it is frozen out im in Massachusetts

 

[shmccarthy]

what is too cold for 3-4 week old chicks? we just got them but want to put them out before it is frozen out im in Massachusetts

Depends if they have all their feathers or not. I keep my birds in the brooder until all their chick fluff is gone. It's a good idea to slowly acclimate them to the colder outdoor temperatures. Their bodies will adjust and they will grow more feathers for the cold weather as do mammals grow thicker coats. I have 7 week olds outside right now that have been there since they were 4 weeks old. They are doing just fine. Granted we haven't had much cold weather yet, even for Michigan. Last year we had a week of constant -15 degree weather and all my birds did okay. A couple nips of frostbite on the very tips of combs but nothing serious. I am changing my coop and run this winter to prevent that. Best thing to do is make sure they are out of the wind and have wide roosts to sit on so their toes are covered by their feathers.

 

[Hedwig]

how can you tell if they have all their feathers? This week is suppose to be a high of 60's and dropping in to the 40's do you think I should put them out in the coop? and if I do should I put the heat lamp out with them? Thank you!

 

[shmccarthy]

Pick the bird up and look it top to bottom, under the wings and everywhere. It shouldn't have any chick looking fluff on it, except on its bottom. as long as they have their feathers, they will be fine out in the coop. 40s doesn't feel as cold to them as it does to us. Remember, they have a fluffy down jacket. I would not recommend any supplemental heat. This causes the birds to be used to artificial heat and their bodies will not prepare properly for winter. In the event of a power outage or the heat going away, their chances of survival slims.

For exapmle, this is one of my chooks at 4 weeks. She has some feathers but a lot of fluff on his head still. She stayed inside until her fluff went away.

This is another at 5 weeks. She got to go outside because you can see she just looks like a mini, full sized chicken.
When they're exposed to colder weather, they grow more feathers to adapt.
Hope this helps a little.

Edited to fix broken link to photo

 

[Hedwig]

ok thank you so much most of our 6 little ones still have the fluff mostly everywhere ill wait a week and see. You don't know how happy I am that you have given we this info thank you!!! ill let you know how they do!

 

[shmccarthy]

ok thank you so much most of our 6 little ones still have the fluff mostly everywhere ill wait a week and see. You don't know how happy I am that you have given we this info thank you!!! ill let you know how they do!

Thanks! Glad to help good luck

 

[Douza]

I live in Wisconsin and have a pretty well built coop with 4 pullets---6 months old. The run has hardware clothe around three sides. Im thinking thst it would be good to cover at keast two sides with plastic or something to keep the same lowing snow out. I appreciate the suggestions for heated water dishes etc. What do oeoole think about using hay or straw to help insulate? And what do people think of lights to increase egg production/ heat. Thanks

 

[shmccarthy]

I live in Wisconsin and have a pretty well built coop with 4 pullets---6 months old. The run has hardware clothe around three sides. Im thinking thst it would be good to cover at keast two sides with plastic or something to keep the same lowing snow out. I appreciate the suggestions for heated water dishes etc. What do oeoole think about using hay or straw to help insulate? And what do people think of lights to increase egg production/ heat. Thanks

I live in Michigan and I cover the ceiling and 2 walls of the run with tarp and use straw on the inside so they don't have to walk in any extra snow/cold ground. You can use artificial light for more eggs but I would not recommend using it for heat. They don't need the heat lamps and they will become so used to the artificial heat, they won't grow enough winter feathers to keep warm, in the event of a power outage, they will be freezing. Remember with artificial light, it will shorten the egg laying life of the chicken. A hen is born with all the eggs she's going to lay already.