Hi everyone! I know this question comes up a lot, but my husband and I are in a bit of a disagreement about our chickens and the cold, so I’m hoping for some advice.
We live in Minneapolis, Minnesota and have three chickens (two Buff Orpingtons and one Black Wyandotte), all about five years old. The temperatures here are consistently in the teens now. We’ve blocked the coop and run from the wind and added insulation, but when I check on the girls, I sometimes find them shivering or standing on one foot, which I know can be signs they’re cold.
My husband and I can’t agree on whether we should add a heater to the coop. He’s hesitant, while I’m more open to using one just to keep the internal temperature around 40°F. I’d love to hear what others in cold climates recommend.
Is heating necessary for older cold-hardy breeds, or are the shivering and one-foot stance normal? This is my first year taking care of chickens, so I know I am over-protective!
Any advice or experience would be so appreciated!
We live in Minneapolis, Minnesota and have three chickens (two Buff Orpingtons and one Black Wyandotte), all about five years old. The temperatures here are consistently in the teens now. We’ve blocked the coop and run from the wind and added insulation, but when I check on the girls, I sometimes find them shivering or standing on one foot, which I know can be signs they’re cold.
My husband and I can’t agree on whether we should add a heater to the coop. He’s hesitant, while I’m more open to using one just to keep the internal temperature around 40°F. I’d love to hear what others in cold climates recommend.
Is heating necessary for older cold-hardy breeds, or are the shivering and one-foot stance normal? This is my first year taking care of chickens, so I know I am over-protective!
Any advice or experience would be so appreciated!
