How cold is too cold??

[Wildsky]

Its really hard sometimes to not think like a human!

My girls are doing just fine in our freezing temps.... ourside today they were all laying out in the sun - and our high today was 34 - they were so happy outside, lying in the sun - just enjoying it......

Your temps are just fine. Just think of my girls when the temp drops at night - like tonight to around 10 or so - they're all cuddled up on the roost just fine!

 

[picklespickles]

the idea that humidity in the winter might make it worse for them when it's cold is interesting. it's pretty dry here.

i notice them a lot more unhappy in the summer. it's not humid, but they definitely do not like the heat.

 

[hsm5grls]

oh good they are fine for now it seems as though my big concerns will have to be keeping them cool in summer. I might have to put a fan out there it gets 110 and hotter here in the summer. This is my first year with chickens. Thank goodness you all are here or I'd be freaking out. Seems at least once a week something happens that I have no idea about and here I come reading all your old posts and asking questions.LOL I am hoping next year I will have this all down or at least feel a little more confident about them.

 

[jjthink]

A departure from the other responses, but I think the answer to "how cold is too cold" depends on the chicken and how many chickens you have snuggling together at night. I have a roo that seems very uncomfortable in the cold - puffs up and loooks miserable. He is probably around 7 years old now - maybe that has something to do with it because he used to be more tolerant. Since I only have one roo and one hen they do not have much collective body heat so I now use a ceramic heat lamp in their coop at night when it is going to be in the 30s or less outside. They seem so much happier to be relieved of the cold for at least part of the time. They are out and about in the daytime but honestly seem cold and unhappy campers unless it is sunny, there's no wind, and the temps are at least in the 40s (so I am counting the days until spring! We're about to get nightime teens for a few days and daytime highs maybe 27 so I know they will be miserable). They get the best foods and vitamins.
JJ

 

[Dinos_rock]

Quote:
What about Frizzle Chickens? I have a black frizzle cochin bantam and sometimes I worry that he isn't keeping in enough heat. Somtimes it gets below freezing, and I put an old blanket around the coop if that helps.

 

[Charlie Chicken]

Yes, you are right. Frizzles are a different situation. They don't have that normal insulation built in and may require some help to keep warm.