I'm worried about my hens in this weather! -20

[Lunachick]

I'm sorry Rimshoes for your loss.

Joe, I ended up just putting a large hook on the ceiling to hang the light (it was too freakin cold out at 5:00 pm and I did a fast job of it too.) and faced it away from them but down towards their water, which is a heated dog bowl waterer and checked them last night when it was 15* it made it to 31* inside the coop during the night.

Also, my coop is made out of that plastic corrugated shed type stuff. No insulation, but the coop is against a 6' cedar fence and their run is covered with heavy duty plastic all around the run and on top. With little openings for airflow. We also have a lot of trees surrounding our property to help with wind issues.

If we can get some mild weather, that's when I go out and check on improving things for them and build stuff.

I don't need to drop my good camera on the frozen ground and ruin it. I already dropped a few "goodie plates" from the girls treats on the ground and stupidly broke them.

 

[lady chicken whisperer]

I used to say that I didnt mind the cold, but I guess I lied!!! It was -10 degrees this morning when I went out to the barn to check on my chickens. I put a heat lamp in on the barn with the ducks and hens together last night. That barn got up to 32 degrees today while the sun was on it!! The barn with my pullets got up to about 20 today, they dont have a heat lamp on them. The birds seemed pretty happy today but my dogs sure didnt want to be outside long with me! I made the mistake of going out this morning without a scarf and my nose was frozen before I even made it to the barn!! Today was definitely a day that it was unwise to go outside if you werent prepared for the cold.

Im located in northern Ohio by the lake

Brrrrrr

 

[PortageGirl]

Otherwise known as "The North Coast"

 

[Barry]

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Actually, there's quite a few from definately cold climates, but really when I see some from places where it rarely gets below freeezing, I too chuckle a little. It's amazing that farmers have ever been able to keep chickens alive above the Mason Dixon line!! I'm not trying to be mean, it's just a little amusing is all.... I live on the North Coast.... near Lake Erie!! and yes, it's going negative this week here too. Brrrrrrrrrrrr

Hello my Southern Neighbor! I live 10 miles inland of Lake Erie which is to my South.
When we check latitude, those cold people in Mn & WI really live north of both of us.
I do agree that it sounds strange hearing people worrying about how cold it is and finding that they are from a place so far south that we could only wish that we had their temperature to deal with.

 

[urbanhatch]

Geez, it is 15 degrees even here in NYC. My chicks must love that the fact that they indoors.

 

[NurseNettie]

Though I'm not sure what the actual temp in the barn/coop room was last night, the outdoor temp went to about -33 degrees, and was at -20 the first trip out there this morning. The chickens were all fine, laying eggs ( though we collected quick and often to keep from freezing) and they were actually running in and out of the coop pop door to go roost outside.
Go figure-- it looks like it's not bothering them a bit!

 

[Beekissed]

We are way below the "O" here in WV also and the chickens seem like they could care less! They were all out sunning themselves in the "sun" today like it ain't no thang! I had to bring their water in the house by the stove to thaw ~I don't have water right now, but the chickens will!

Ah keep ma feathers numbered fer just such an occasion as this....<shades of Foghorn>

This is the kind of weather that I bought cold hardy breeds for...my egg production is going up on a daily basis and the eggs are even getting larger!!!

Today, at -7 and a windchill of -20, I got 17 eggs and 3 of them were dinosaur eggs!

 

[MsMarbles&Me]

I might be one of those south of the mason dixon line needlessly worried - but please tell it to me straight. I can take it.

I have 12 chickens (half are bantams or pullets) in a slightly bigger than 4'x4'x4' uninsulated coop with an open door and open window - both approx 12"x12".

I was worrying about them so I put in a 250 watt red heat lamp with metal reflector last night. Our lows are about 9 degrees just during the cold snap. They haven't had a light prior to this when it's been 20-40's at night.

I wish I could tell you what the temp in there is.

Please tell me if I'm over-reacting. What exactly is the temperature when they need supplemental heat?

I really appreciate the feedback! If I don't need to worry, I have other things to do - or- worry about!

 

[Lunachick]

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Yea, I noticed the LARGE EGG thing too! My one hen was always the larger egg layer, but lately.....OMG I haven't used them yet, but I bet they are double yolkers! After Dec. 21, each day gets around a minute longer ... so Chickens might be making up for lost time or something....

 

[Beekissed]

MsMarbles&Me :

I might be one of those south of the mason dixon line needlessly worried - but please tell it to me straight. I can take it.

I have 12 chickens (half are bantams or pullets) in a slightly bigger than 4'x4'x4' uninsulated coop with an open door and open window - both approx 12"x12".

I was worrying about them so I put in a 250 watt red heat lamp with metal reflector last night. Our lows are about 9 degrees just during the cold snap. They haven't had a light prior to this when it's been 20-40's at night.

I wish I could tell you what the temp in there is.

Please tell me if I'm over-reacting. What exactly is the temperature when they need supplemental heat?

I really appreciate the feedback! If I don't need to worry, I have other things to do - or- worry about!

I'll tell it to you straight. Keep the light, can't hurt. Put plastic over your window, drape a piece of blanket, or rug, over your door~just to keep out the "cool breezes"

and let the chickens adapt to the temps. If they aren't all huddled and hunched up, looking miserable, chances are they are doing fine. Animals aren't as fragile as people think!