How Cold of Weather Can Chickens Stand Outside of Coop?

[junkman56]

I have a question about the heated water container, I keep their feed and water inside the coop all the time, with this cold spell we been having for the last 9 days, should I remove it from the coop? I have plenty of ventilation in the coop, and an enclosed run for them to go out in during the day. I have not noticed any sign of frostbite yet, knock on wood

 

[gocgo]

I have a question about the heated water container, I keep their feed and water inside the coop all the time, with this cold spell we been having for the last 9 days, should I remove it from the coop? I have plenty of ventilation in the coop, and an enclosed run for them to go out in during the day. I have not noticed any sign of frostbite yet, knock on wood

I have mine inside the coop as well. There are days that they don't go outside the coop even if I open it up. They always need food and water. In the summer, I'll move the water outside but I always keep the food out of the elements. If no frostbite, ventilation must be fine. Not that much evaporation from the water in the winter that I have seen. I'd leave it inside.

 

[3riverschick]

If they are outside and it's going to be this cold go get some bales of hay build yourself a small igloo out of bales of hay. a square Igloo .okay a bale or two on each side .some Bales across the top. A bale across half the front building an igloo out of hay. then take some hay and pile deep 6-8 inches in deep. let them go in there and snuggle down in their little straw igloo. You need to get them shelter.
Out in Ohio a guy left his dog out on the front porch and the police found it frozen solid. get them out of drafts and in the shelter.
best Karen

 

[jennkretz]

Hi There,

I am doing all I *should* be doing based on the literature, but I'm wondering if my girls start to "not do well" what are the signs? IE what are the signs I should bring them into the garage?

Best,
Jenn

 

[theoldchick]

They will puff up like a furry basketball, hold their tail down, and move slowly. My 6 year old Jersey Giants have survived the 10 degree weather here.

I throw the water out at night and replace in the am. During the day, I only fill the buckets half way so when it freezes, I simply add water to the top. In the afternoon, I exchange the buckets with fresh water and throw the water out at dark. That way there is no frozen water during the night. I have extra buckets in case of breakage.

 

[gocgo]

Hi There,

I am doing all I *should* be doing based on the literature, but I'm wondering if my girls start to "not do well" what are the signs? IE what are the signs I should bring them into the garage?

Best,
Jenn

LOL! When they don't "complain" to you about the cold, it means they are too cold. Mine have no issues telling me all about how cold it is whenever I go to the coop. If I could translate chicken talk, it would probably sound something like this - "Geez Louise! Do you know how cold it is in here? We could stand a few more treats too! Would some heated perches kill you? And how about some entertainment in here?"

 

[Sipplchicks]

Becky the homesteader says corn for winter? I think the carbs would be energy. I use it as a treat

 

[Sipplchicks]

I tried the warm oatmeal. I sticks to there beaks, so funny to see them trying to wipe it off. Then one will clean it off the other. So after a good laugh, I started mixing some oatmeal with about 3/4 layer food a d warm water. Does anyone have preference of cracked corn or whole corn?

 

[Sipplchicks]

I have Easter eggers and golden comets.
I was getting freaked out here in Cincinnati Ohio with temps dipping below zero. I bought the largest dog crate I could find and on sale to boot.
I setup my 9 chickens in it, in my laundry room.
I feel better now and it's easier to feed and water them.

One of my Orpington got pecked pretty bad so I put her in a dog crate inside. She is so sweet. Have been spraying her wound with peroxide then Neosporin and she is healing fast. Enjoying her visit. Temps are warmer tomorrow so I will open the coop outside and try her out again

 

[Ketty Ash]

I have RIR's, brown leghorns, a rhode island white, cinnamon queen, and black links. It's getting down to below 0* F sometimes so I wanted to know what to do, or if I should do anything.

Thanks!

We've had great luck with the deep litter method. We have no electricity in our coop, so we double the depth of the shavings on the floor and we leave it to compost in the coop which creates heat.