How cold is TOO cold for a chicken?

[Alpha Roo]

Those of you who do not use heat, how much does your egg production drop in cold weather?

 

[dlhunicorn]

in cold weather (especially when the birds are unable to free range) they will need more feed to maintain their body temperatures (thus will eat "more" because of these two factors however all the advice (for free non-caged systems) I have read is to concentrate the nutrition ... my birds tend to huddle togethr and are unwilling to eat sufficiently unless the feed is almost literally placed under their noses . I always supplement/concentrate the nutrition in the winter >>>feed efficency is reduced and deficiency develops even when they do appear to eat enough ... immune incompetance (causing birds to become ill) and agression due to simple borderline deficiency problems can be alleviated by simply concentrating the nutrition by adding a good general supplement as is advised also for heat stress. I suppose it comes down to what you have your birds for and if you are prepared for losses as well as enviromental "swings" in the temps during the fall and spring (which can be enormous stress facotrs for birds) .... here are a couple articles which may have helpful info:
http://www.poultry.uga.edu/extension/tips/index.htm
(Feeding The Backyard Flock in Cold Weather)
"....With their feather coat, birds have much more resistance to cold than to hot temperatures. However, during periods of low temperature, the bird will need to eat more in order to generate adequate body heat. For this reason, attention should be given to how much feed we provide to the backyard flock. It is never a good
idea to overfeed, as the feed not consumed may become damp and go out of condition. However, we need
to make sure that the flock has adequate feed to continue to produce meat or eggs and at the same time maintain a healthy body temperature....."
(same link as above)
TIS THE SEASON FOR COLD AND FLU"....
8) Maintain good ventilation while providing needed warmth. Block drafts to minimize chilling and huddling. Cold-stressed birds are more susceptible to disease than birds kept in a stable temperature environment.
9) Provide appropriate nutrition. Nutrient requirements will increase during the winter months when birds have to compensate for low temperatures in their living quarters...."

 

[Alpha Roo]

hmmm. I use heat. I haven't noticed any difference in egg production or in their feeding habits.

 

[mksenoj]

I live in Upstate New York and the coop is heated. Even the dogs have a heated area for the nights!

 

[Beekissed]

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No more than normal during those months, cold or not.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

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I 100% totally agree. You have to think of earlier days. Do you honestly think great-great-grandfather had insulation and a heater in his coop?...................Not!
They are covered underneath with down feathers, they will stay warm. Also remember, they huddle together at night and when its cold.

 

[Mrs MIA]

And as long as they have a chance to acclimate to the changes slowly, there shouldn't be any problems. It's when they go from 70°F to 30°F overnight that you might have some issues.

We have extremely short days in the winter, but instead of supplementing with heat, I have a 60w light bulb on a timer, set to extend the days to a more "normal" day length. Not excessive, but just enough. Supplement with a little extra protein, maybe a little scratch/corn before bed, and they're fine. I have had chickens up here for over 2 years now, and have not lost a single one to the cold.

 

[Wildsky]

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No more than normal during those months, cold or not.

I think it has more to do with the amount of light. When there are fewer hours of sunlight, my egg count starts to go down - but I had so many broody mom's over summer, I'm actually getting the same amount of eggs right now - cause some moms have started back up laying....

 

[lovemychix]

My chicken are spoiled...I have heat lamps.

 

[Mrs MIA]

As long as you're not keeping them excessively warm in the really cold temps... they won't be able to handle the colder temps on their own, and what happens if the heat goes out? Just a thought.