Is 3'F too cold?

[txchickie]

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Well, for some people they ARE pets.


And I am of the club that says chickens are fine in 3F without additional heat or light.

 

[destiny_56085]

LMAO Chris.... Most of mine are out in the barn too. I do have quite a few in the house til it warms up. These 4 month old cockerels are starting to crow though and the early wake up calls are not fun.

Some of the 6 week olds are still sweet:

and some not so sweet...ninja chickies!

 

[countrygirl57]

My chickens are pets, Sure they give me eggs, & by the way I will be not eating them, as I wouldn't eat my dog. I'm little disturbed that there are still some people that think that someone like myself, and I'm sure many others, who treasure every one of their amimals. It may be a dog or a lowly chicken a goat or a cat, but whatever we have we care for their needs food or HEAT or whatever.

I really appreciate when members give me their advice & experience. It's sad some of us just don't get it!

 

[kannm]

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Take heart. I am sure the poster just means that they live quite well without extra heat in most circumstances. We love our chickens and think of them as pets, but they are hearty pets.

 

[gsim]

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They will be all right unless they are among the few breeds which cannot tolerate cold. If it is dry and draft-free, they will do quite well unless not fully feathered out yet. Mine have done quite well at temps down to 8 degrees f with no insulation in their coop. I would do something if it got to 10 below or worse. Likely a few 75 W heat lamps securely set just above their roost. Coop is too big and too well ventilated to really get serious about heating it.

 

[CARS]

Quote:
Take heart. I am sure the poster just means that they live quite well without extra heat in most circumstances. We love our chickens and think of them as pets, but they are hearty pets.

I must have been in a bad mood when I replied.

I treat my flock quite well. In fact my wife says we spend more time and money on the birds than we do our kids!

I have a few birds that are just free-loaders. Pretty things like roos and silkies. But my primary reason for keeping a flock is for eggs and meat.

And yes, they will be fine without any additional heat. It's well below zero for months around here and I have never lost a bird to cold.

 

[snowflake]

It got to 3F here last weekend I have large breeds in an insulated 10x16' coop,13 birds no light they were just fine and a bit upset because I made them wait a bit longer to go outside. It stayed about 20 in the coop, they have pretty good self heaters.

 

[chuckzoo]

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OUch!

 

[countrygirl57]

No problem, Christopher

 

[bmelanco]

As a rule, we keep a "regular" bulb on a timer to simulate 9 hour day light to keep the eggs coming. That gives some heat. We also keep a heated water base on 24/7 that raises the temp in the coop quite a bit. Also, do a search for the Deep Litter Method. It keeps the coop quite warm. Last time I turned the litter steam came up!!!