I need to vent

[Appalachickens]

Is any one else doing any preventative action for the cold weekend?

It's my first winter with chickens, too. I have an open air coop with a big hatch on the back wall above the roost bars I leave open, and even with temperatures plummeting down to single digits and with icy rain, they've been fine. They're out foraging in the snow right now. The only weather-proofing I did was put an immersible heater in their waterer and put some fresh leaves on the snow that got into the coop. I have upped their wet mash amount in the mornings. I haven't seen any signs of distress and no frost bite on any combs or wattles, not even the rooster's. I do notice that the 12 of them pack in pretty closely at night.

 

[BigBird 2025]

It's my first winter with chickens, too. I have an open air coop with a big hatch on the back wall above the roost bars I leave open, and even with temperatures plummeting down to single digits and with icy rain, they've been fine. They're out foraging in the snow right now. The only weather-proofing I did was put an immersible heater in their waterer and put some fresh leaves on the snow that got into the coop. I have upped their wet mash amount in the mornings. I haven't seen any signs of distress and no frost bite on any combs or wattles, not even the rooster's. I do notice that the 12 of them pack in pretty closely at night.

Thanks for your reply Temps are going to jump back up over the following week so im not to to concerned just want my girls to be comfortable. Just reading some other older posts regarding wind protection and the reaction of chickens when it is blowing. Seems my wind brake tarp across the windward side is a good idea they are enclosed on three sides that way and only the opposit end where they lay remains open. Good luck with your girls and thanks for your information.