I know there's a million opinions, but how cold is too cold?

[beerman]

I have 4 heat lamps in my coop this year. I only had one last year and only lost one chicken. I am surrounded by corn fields so with the wind it was getting below 0 in my coop a lot. My coop is 18x18. I also put in a heated waterer got sick of thawing it out last year. I also give them extra food. I added the extra heat also because I got 5 leghorns this year and I didn't know they don't like cold weather.. Just my 2 bits.
Brian

 

[Wildsky]

our lowest is -20 with a -39 windchill, I don't heat my coop at all - I had a waterheater and the water froze

I have around 16 chickens, 6 ducks and 6 guineas in the coop. The coop is two sheds, one is 20x7 and one is 7x7 joined by a little door cut between them (chicken sized)

 

[sparkles2307]

We dont have a temp guage in the coop but I basically watch them and as long as they arent fluffing up their feathers to stay warm I say its warm enough. They all seem really happy and healthy so far on one heat lamp in a 12x24 coop.

 

[henney penny]

It was 4 below the other night and 11 in my coop,its very well insulated but with the vents for ventilation open and the wind blowing thats what it went down to,My girls are fine although I have closed the vents untill the wind stop hopefully tomorow.It warm up a bit if the sun shines during the day.

 

[Plain Old Dee]

My girls are in a metal shed that is open to the elements on the east end. It got down to about 12 the other night, and we didn't have any problems.

Our first flock was about 60 leghorns. We didn't provide any extra heat for them and they did just fine, even when it would get down to -0- at night. The henhouse they were in was about 12 x 24 or so, but the they only got half of it - it was divided down the middle by a chicken wire wall so we could use the other side for storing feed and garden equipment.

 

[MimiChick]

I have 4 chickens in a 4x8 coop/pen with a 2x4 roost box (pic on my BYC page). I have plastic (left over from my greenhouse) around the pen to block the wind and snow. The roost box is not insulated, bu has about 8 inches of pine shavings on the bottom, and has ventilation across the top of the front. It's been well below freezing here for the past few days and my girls go in and out at will. They come out for a while and scratch around, then go in and rest a while, then out again. They seem to be doing just fine. At night I close the pop door of the roost box and they perch on their feet on a 2x4. When I checked them this morning, their feet and bellies were nice and warm, no one was all ruffled up or shivering, and they all came tumbling out as usual to eat and drink.
I think I have to agree with those who remind us about the wild birds doing just fine in this weather. And I think, overall, we won't be doing our girls any real favors by pampering them too much. I'd hate to think what would happen if my girls didn't feather out enough to be comfortable if my electricity went down and I couldn't heat their coop for them.
I make sure my girls have plenty of fresh water (heated dog bowl) and food. I give them extra protein and a suet block as well as BOSS, scratch and fresh greens. They really look pretty happy and healthy to me and are waiting at the door to go out in the morning, even when it's barely above zero degrees.
Just MHO, and everyone has to do what they think best for their girls. Good luck.

 

[Fancie]

I pull my chickens into the garage and give them a little heat if the temperture drops in the neg tens of degrees... probably cause I start feeling really bad for them. other than that they stay out side all winter.... the babies however won't be put outside till spring. they are 2 months right now.

 

[Lucy4]

Quote:
Sorry, what's BOSS?

 

[cashela]

I am guessing that BOSS is black oil sunflower seeds as that is what us horse people call it

My stupid chicken won't stay in the coop with his turkey friend. So I put a pile of hay in "his" corner and he apparently is quite content there in the freezing cold.

 

[Lucy4]

Thanks.