How cold is too cold?

[papeine]

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thanks.. it snowed last weekend and on Saturday they would not come out of the coop, but by Sunday they had decided the white stuff on the ground was not gonna kill them!!!

 

[papeine]

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thanks.. very helpful... I will watch the chickens and let them tell me if they are cold.

 

[papeine]

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thanks this too is very helpful... I have ventilation, but i't above the ceiling.. (OK..not too smart).. I do have windows and thought I would just crack one if I needed to. The chicken door is to the south..so I didn't really plan on closing it unless it was really could.. their roost is on the north wall.. and next boxes on the east wall.. all walls and ceiling are insullated... but I will let my girls tell me if they are too cold and will watch for condensation..

 

[papeine]

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thanks for trying!!!

 

[papeine]

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Thanks, I am about a hour north of Owatona... I will just play it by ear (or chickens!!). I'ts my dad that thought I needed this heater put in

 

[papeine]

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I am a bit worried about the cost.. I have an automatic heated water "er" for the horses.. and with the heated buckets in the stall..it' sucks me dry when the electric bill comes!!!

 

[windtryst]

If there is snow on the ground, just put straw down and they will come out & walk around...

 

[Mrs MIA]

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I am a bit worried about the cost.. I have an automatic heated water "er" for the horses.. and with the heated buckets in the stall..it' sucks me dry when the electric bill comes!!!

The first year I raised chickens up here I thought I had to heat the coop... the first $600 bill for one month and I though hubby was going to kill me. Now I don't heat until the birds "tell me" it's time for a little relief. Usually that's at about -15 to -30F.

It's ok for them not to go outside when it's a blizzard outside, but I let them make that choice.