How cold is too cold for the coop?

[FlockTalkYT]

For those of us who measure temperatures INSIDE the coop, do you have a "goal minimum temp" for the winter? While many factors influence the necessity of heating a coop (range of outdoor temp, size of flock and coop, breed/health/age of bird, coop insulation etc.), it seems that complicated analysis could be simplified if we knew at what minimum temperature most chickens remain comfortable?

 

[chickenlittle21]

It depends on the chickens breeds and ages

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
My coop tends to be cooler than ambient in summer, because it's in shade to the south and west, and warmer in winter, because it's two to three layers of wood, blocked from winter winds, and the chickens help warm it.
The waterers are on heaters to keep them from freezing, and there's no other supplemental heat out there.
Here in southern Michigan, we don't go below 0F often, although it does happen, at least to -15F, and the birds are fine.
Pick breeds that handle cold if that's where you live!!!
Roosters with single combs and wattles will have frostbitten/ frozen comb tips, at least, and some breeds are better further south. In general, bigger fluffy birds with small combs and wattles are best in cold climates.
I don't have Silkies or Seramas!
Mary

 

[PirateGirl]

If you have large cold hardy breeds in good health generally anything goes. If I have a bird that is very young/small, in extreme molt, or ill in any way, I worry some when temps get in the single digits F and below.

 

[aart]

It mostly depends on how the coop is constructed,
big and tall with lots of ventilation up high.

Next is overall health of birds,
good balanced chicken ration, plenty of fresh plain water('heated' so it stays thawed), and an occasional boost of electrolyte/vitamins have gotten mine thru the cold (and heat) extremes.

 

[flyin-lowe]

Like others it depends on the breeds. I have had chickens for over three years now, buff, RIR, rocks, black austr..., My coop is 8x6 with four windows and a pop door. Each of the last three winters we have had spells were overnight temps have gotten well below zero with wind chills around -20. My coop has a ridge vent and the eaves are open and I have never closed the windows and have never seen any signs of issues. A cold well ventilated area is a lot better then a warmer damp environment in my opinion.