How cold is too cold?

[Ridgerunner]

Here's a good article for you: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

As a general rule, chickens that are kept in a dry, well-ventilated, draft-free coop and that had the chance to acclimate to the falling temperatures can cope at least down to 0F.

I agree, read this article. It might help you.

I took this photo when it was 4 Fahrenheit. That is ice on the ground. It had been colder but I had to go back to eat breakfast and get the camera. I open the pop door and let them decide if they want to come out or not. As long as a cold wind is not hitting them, they come out. They don't like a cold wind but pure cold to this level doesn't bother them.

 

[TammyRoesch]

Should I leave the coop door open when it's really cold outside, like 20 degrees Fahrenheit? Or should I shut them in?

 

[3KillerBs]

Just for some reassurance,

It's 23F in central NC this morning (nearly 80 last week -- had the AC running).

I had to take the water in last night and when I took it out at dawn they were all off the roosts, active, and complaining that there was nothing to drink.

Including the not-quite-6-week-old chicks.

All in my open air coop.

The 5 cull boys in the even more open Camp Cockerel were complaining that I hadn't refilled the feeder they dumped but their cozy feathers were keeping them warm.

 

[Quarterhorses1]

I believe it strongly depends on your flock. If you have hardy breeds like me, they should be fine in the negatives. But my silkies used to struggle, and non- hardy breeds will struggle. I’ve used heat lights in the past, and I keep tarps up to block wind. Another thing I did this year was lower my roosting bar. As it gets cold, the birds will become a bit Cold and stiff and may fall and break their necks.

 

[Quarterhorses1]

Should I leave the coop door open when it's really cold outside, like 20 degrees Fahrenheit? Or should I shut them in?

I shut mine in

 

[jBabychickn]

I shut mine in

I do too, but I have Silkies and I have two this year with a hard, late molt

 

[Ridgerunner]

Should I leave the coop door open when it's really cold outside, like 20 degrees Fahrenheit? Or should I shut them in?

I never shut mine in during the day, only at night to protect against predators. I let them decide what they want to do. They know more about being chickens than I ever will.

The coldest I've seen mine outside is about 0 Fahrenheit, colder than +20 F. That's probably because that's the coldest it's been during daylight. with mine. If a cold wind is blowing and they cannot get out of it, they stay in. They do not like a cold wind. But if it is calm or they can get behind a wall so they are protected from the wind they go outside.

Growing up on the farm I saw chickens sleep in trees at -10 F. No frostbite or other problems. Those trees were protected against wind. I'm a lot less concerned about cold temperatures than many people on this forum.

All these chickens were adult dual purpose breeds or barnyard mixes. No decorative or special needs chickens. I don't know if the Silkies, Polish and such are as special needs as some people seem to think. I have no experience with them.

 

[3KillerBs]

Should I leave the coop door open when it's really cold outside, like 20 degrees Fahrenheit? Or should I shut them in?

An adult, fully-feathered chicken is *usually* capable of deciding what sort of weather it wants to experience.

As long as they have access to a dry place where they can get out of the wind they can decide to go in and out.