How Cold Is Too Cold?

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I just don't think people should feel bad if their birds don't live long. Some is genetics, and as @centrarchid mentioned, some burn out quickly due to higher production. Energy goes into egg production, not body maintenance.

My bantams on average live much longer than my bigger breeds probably just because they don't produce as many eggs.

 

[centrarchid]

Well my girls are outside enjoying the 35°F weather with 8mph winds
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They are demonstrating something one of my similar sized groups of roosters were doing about noon. They were in a location where wind is blocked yet in direct sun. Warmer than average with respect to options they have. Once temperatures drop below about 50 F their behavior will change to exploit those warmer micro-habitats. It gets really obvious as windchill becomes more pronounced.

 

[centrarchid]

Everyone needs to get out and lay with their birds, especially those that are free-range, all day long. Even try it on a cold night. Wear your good winter stuff. You will get a handle on how the birds do not just tolerate what mother nature throws at them. They cheat at every opportunity to make staying alive easier. When it gets cold, staying warm takes physical and mental work and you will then be able to relate first hand. Take a kid or grand kid with you so they can learn something too.

 

[Cyprus]

They are demonstrating something one of my similar sized groups of roosters were doing about noon. They were in a location where wind is blocked yet in direct sun. Warmer than average with respect to options they have. Once temperatures drop below about 50 F their behavior will change to exploit those warmer micro-habitats. It gets really obvious as windchill becomes more pronounced.

I didn't even realize that is what they were doing until you said it.
They avoided their exposed run.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree with old-hen. Those ages I have never gotten, and really would not want. My birds have shelter, water and feed. The one or two old (to me) birds looked pretty stiff and painful towards the end.

I think those numbers are unrealistic, and people read them and feel terrible when their birds do not live that long. To me, a 3 year old bird is late middle age, and a 5 year old bird is very old.

To each his own, I am not able to change the feed or set up, and I like a multigenerational flock, where as the old make way for the new. It is a realistic plan for this set up.

I did wonder if climate makes a difference. What kind of climate do you live in Shadrack?
Mrs k

 

[Shadrach]

I agree with old-hen. Those ages I have never gotten, and really would not want. My birds have shelter, water and feed. The one or two old (to me) birds looked pretty stiff and painful towards the end.

I think those numbers are unrealistic, and people read them and feel terrible when their birds do not live that long. To me, a 3 year old bird is late middle age, and a 5 year old bird is very old.

To each his own, I am not able to change the feed or set up, and I like a multigenerational flock, where as the old make way for the new. It is a realistic plan for this set up.

I did wonder if climate makes a difference. What kind of climate do you live in Shadrack?
Mrs k

I live in what is described as a warm and dry climate although you wouldn’t have known this the past year. Max temp 40 degrees Centigrade, min, say -6 or _7. I do get usually more hours sun than the UK for example.

Victoria Roberts (referred to above) is a UK based specialist while I believe Catrin Rutland comes from the US.
My sister (mentioned above) lives in southern UK.
There are other ‘specialists’ from around the world that have produced similar figures for free range chicken keeping.
One would need to examine carefully the base data that such figures are taken from. I don’t know for example whether Victoria Roberts numbers include predation....
There are some studies that give median and mode as well as straight averages and they are a little more revealing.
Figures from me would look rather different if I was to include predation while my sisters figures would look exactly the same.

From what I’ve read, the breed of the chicken, it’s genetic inheritance and its care all have a bearing on its longevity.
People sometimes refer to their chickens as egg laying machines and like any machine, even a biological one, they wear out.
High egg production breeds tend to live shorter lives. High egg production breeds kept in optimal laying conditions (constant light, high protein feeds etc) tend to live even shorter lives.

Where the chickens come from (genetics)has a big influence on their longevity apparently.
Free range chickens are apparently healthier than chickens kept in barns, runs and coops for obvious reasons but may not live as long on average because of predation.

Just ot make it quite clear that I’m not having a go at anyone for their chicken keeping standards it may help to point out that when I started looking after the chickens here a straight average lifespan (including chicks) was about one year due to predation and sickness. I haven’t done this years numbers yet but last year the straight average was 5 years; once again the problem is predation.

 

[Crow-ded house]

Well we put up some wind blocks and I put some extra hay in their coops to entice them that is warmer. I woke up this morning worried as we now snowing and the wind chill is 13. It is expected to stay that way for next couple days. I got dressed and ran outside and they were quiet but pecking around and waiting for breakfast. Silly chooks. I could have slept in lol!!

 

[Cyprus]

Yes, so far I have found that my standards don't seem to care at all about the temperature. In fact, they handle extreme cold much better than extreme heat.
This year I'm changing things. Typically, I would use the Deep Litter Method for my coop during the winter but this winter I've stripped it and bedded with a thin layer of sand. I guess I will see how that holds up.

 

[Mrs. K]

breed of the chicken, it’s genetic inheritance and its care all have a bearing on its longevity.

And I think climate... could be an interesting post in itself. Which does have bearing on the OP original question. How cold ...or how hot can they take? In the short term, I have the experience to say that mine handle too cold well, they are alive and active. While we will have heat in the summer - not the humidity that other have...

So my question, does the climate affect the longevity of chickens? I think it does over the long run. People who work outside in rough climate age more quickly... not quite sure if it affects their lifespans or not.

As to your predation point - I have so been there.

 

[Cyprus]

And I think climate... could be an interesting post in itself. Which does have bearing on the OP original question. How cold ...or how hot can they take? In the short term, I have the experience to say that mine handle too cold well, they are alive and active. While we will have heat in the summer - not the humidity that other have...

So my question, does the climate affect the longevity of chickens? I think it does over the long run. People who work outside in rough climate age more quickly... not quite sure if it affects their lifespans or not.

As to your predation point - I have so been there.

I believe, personally, that climate DOES affect longevity.
For example, most of my D'Uccle deaths have been due to heat stroke, Cochins can die pretty easily from the heat and Mediterranean breeds are often badly affected by the cold, which could shorten their lifespans if severe enough.