How long can chickens stay in freezing weather?

[FrostRanger]

Also remember that chickens are basically wearing fluffy down jackets, they are well insulated against the cold, chickens can actually handle cold weather much better than hot

 

[2 Acres]

Also remember that chickens are basically wearing fluffy down jackets, they are well insulated against the cold, chickens can actually handle cold weather much better than hot

True

 

[2 Acres]

True

Other than I have one moting right now

 

[2 Acres]

Other than I have one moting right now

The tarp on the front of the coop was frozen this morning. I had to go through the side door

 

[Ridgerunner]

I give mine the option of going out if they wish. Even when it is below zero Fahrenheit they go out if a cold wind is not blowing. If a cold wind is blowing they seek shelter.

When mine wake up to a white world (it snowed overnight) mine won't go out in it for a couple of days. They don't like change. One time it snowed about an inch one morning. They were already out. Since the change was gradual they never bothered to go in.

 

[MKetter]

I don’t worry about my chickens until it is colder than NEGATIVE 35, below zero. They have lived just fine at that.

At 20 degrees you do have to make sure there is water available as it will freeze up.

In my run, I have numerous wind shelters. A chicken out of the wind is a warm chicken.

Mrsvk

How do they not freeze when it’s that cold? Where do you live that it even gets that cold?!

 

[FrostRanger]

How do they not freeze when it’s that cold? Where do you live that it even gets that cold?!

Their feathers are basically a down coat, keeps them warm in temperatures far colder than you'd think

 

[MKetter]

It's not until you get temps significantly below zero that you have to start worrying, the 20s is nothing for most healthy adult birds. Do make sure the new coop has adequate ventilation though (at least 1sqft per bird) or too much moisture can build up and give them frostbite, high humidity is far more dangerous than the cold itself in those temps

The coop has 24 sq. ft. Of floor space, and there are six birds. It will have two windows with screens on one wall. He’s thinking about adding two holes to put dryer vent covers on the opposite wall for cross ventilation.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How do they not freeze when it’s that cold? Where do you live that it even gets that cold?!

This is obviously a very extreme example (and unfortunately the article is no longer accessible), but gives you an idea of just how cold chickens can survive in: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-cold-is-too-cold-check-this-out.1345546/

 

[Mrs. K]

South Dakota, it has only happened twice in my memory, once with chickens. They were fine.

Opening the screen door with a bare hand frost burned. But the girls were out in the sun the next day.