How long can chickens stay in freezing weather?

[MKetter]

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.

I’m surprised chickens can take that level of cold. I understand they have a down coat, but their feet? Or wattles? Oo-wee! Brr.

 

[Mrs. K]

It was dang cold, but they were fine, did not loose one. I think a rooster lost a few points on his comb. But healed right up.

They can take a lot more cold if out of the wind.

 

[FrostRanger]

I’m surprised chickens can take that level of cold. I understand they have a down coat, but their feet? Or wattles? Oo-wee! Brr.

Also know that some breeds are more cold hardy than others, a faverolle for example will be able to handle the cold with their pea comb and feathered feet better than a white leghorn which have huge combs and tend to be scrawny

 

[Hen Hoarder]

Chickens normally go out shortly after sunrise, around 7 a.m. As you can see with the attached image, the temperature will be below freezing for a couple hours and in the 30s until noon. I’ve seen that chickens tolerate cold better than heat but this? Can the chickens go out with 20° temperatures? If so, should they come back in after a certain amount of time? They don’t have a coop. I would have to bring them into the garage.


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Make sure they have a place out of the wind and in the sun and they will sit there all day!