how cold is too cold.

[tinman9952]

If the temp doesn'y rise above 32, should i leave them in the coop all day?

 

[Akane]

Too cold for your average standard breed is about -20F and mine still wanted to go outside at -30 but the 5' snow drifts stopped them. If there is lots of snow and your coop is spacious they may decide to stay in but you should open the door for fresh air unless there is a strong wind blowing that direction. Bantams I start keeping an eye on if it gets below 0F and might not open their coop at that point.

 

[annie3001]

mine go out!!!!! doesnt matter what the temp .. so far here in ct. it hasnt gotten in the minus.. but even still,, mine will go into their run.. its covered by a tarp.

 

[chickenannie]

Most importantly is giving them a draft free place to roost and be in during the day if needed. Even if it's cold they can do alright, but if their is a draft it can become too much.

 

[HorseFeathers]

We have all heritage breeds that winter well, since up here temperatures get awful nasty. If it gets below 0¼F we put a heat lamp in the coop, but we've found that as long as we shut them in at night, like always, they know when it's too cold and their own body heat heats the coop very well. Good insulation is a must for this method though.

 

[teach1rusl]

I'm a real "mother hen" with my young girls, but even I would open the pop door to give them the option at 32 degrees... Now I probably won't open mine this winter when it makes it down to the single digits. Mine do not like cold weather...only go out for brief stints in the lower 30s, but I still want to give them the option.

 

[rcentner]

I open the door everyday and let them decide what is too cold. If it is really cold and windy or blizzard like they don't come out and I will close the door to keep the heat in. But my bantams come out in colder weather than my standards!

 

[TK Poultry]

mine only seem "stunted" by the weather is when its raining or below 20 degrees other wise they do pretty well i have EE's and a couple production reds.......my ducks love the snow they go out and play in it they only seem affected when its in the single digits like it had been last week or so today it was like 40 degrees so they were pretty psyched!

 

[chookchick]

Mine wanted to go out in the run when it was 8 degrees out. Now rain or snow is another matter....As long as they have a cozy coop available, let them choose whether they want to be in or out. They get really bored being cooped up all the time.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

up here in MB its about -25 C average everyday without the windchill. I leave them in everyday because I haven't get a proper heating system yet. its always so cold in the coop. Any ideas on heating it? its not very well insulated