How cold is TOO cold for a chicken?

[danamillette]

I too live in N. Wisconsin. It got down to 25 last night and they did great. I have the coop insulated and they seemed cozy this morning. I did buy a 125 watt red bulb that I am thinking about using when it actually gets "cold" here. But I am afraid of the fire factor. And not sure where to hang/mount the light.

 

[portlandpeeps]

Quote:
That's funny!!!!

glad to know someone else worries about things like the shavings or coop catching on fire.

 

[Mrs MIA]

I know I've mentioned it around here before, but I tried to keep my girls' coop at 55°F my first winter when it was -30°F and was rewarded with a $400 electric bill for January... only to find out I was really doing them a disservice. Treat your adult birds like you do your chicks in a brooder... watch for signs of discomfort, but give them a draft-free place to get out of the elements and they'll be just fine. Trust me.

 

[portlandpeeps]

Thank you Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain. That's good advice...and definitely something to consider... our energy bills are high enough!

 

[LynneP]

I'm not heating my coop either. It's insulated and I want my girls to be tough little Canadian chicks.

 

[momofdrew]

Quote:
meal worms are a good source of protein I use it as a treat...

 

[momofdrew]

Here in New England we are supposed to get our first dusting of that white stuff tonight...My silkies have been running out onto frosted grass every morning for a week now It doesn't seem to slow them down...
I have insulated the outside of the coop and pen with straw and the pen is covered with clear plastic...

am wondering about a heated dog bowl...would that be a sound idea or should I get a galvinized chicken waterer and a heater for it that would cost about $100 ???

 

[MrGreenJeans]

I'm considering using a bird bath deicer this winter for my plastic bucket waterers. Has anyone tried anything similar to this?

 

[annaserv]

I've been using the bird bath deicer in a bucket of water for quite a few years, works great, just keep the cord tied or hooked out of the way.

I'd be scared to heat my coup, I lost my chicken coup to a fire this past spring, faulty cord? light bulb knocked down? We don't know, but it was devastating.

 

[banter]

I would love to get a water warmer for my birds but they rip everything up! The geese love plastic to play with and I'm concerned they'd pull out the heater and eat it and we'd have a fire in the barn! Advice?