It’s -7 here and I’m scared!

[EggSTOREYdinary]

That’s right NEGATIVE 7. We live in Nebraska and it’s been bone chilling the last few nights. I know chickens can withstand some pretty brutal conditions but at what point is the cold too cold? It’s our first winter with our chickens (born in March) so I just thought I’d get any feedback! Thanks so much in advance!

 

[duluthralphie]

Yours are fine...ours are 25-35 below up here...

 

[Smuvers Farm]

What breeds do you have? Some are more cold hardy than others.

 

[mill-j]

As long as they are sheltered from the wind and have ventilation, they should be fine. chickens generally generate enough heat to keep the henhouse slightly warm, but it doesn't hurt to run a heat lamp in extremely cold weather.
Good Luck!

 

[microchick]

It was -5 here this morning and 8 above right now. I have bantam crosses buff orpington and welsummer hens in my main coop, More buff O and Welsummers in a smaller coop and 4 roosters (standard sized) in a small third coop. Since bantams are not noted for being particularly fond of cold temps (mine are mainly OEGB) I moved all my extra cockerels into the main coop to help provide body heat, made sure there were no drafts (plenty of structural ventilation going on) locked everybody inside and checking frequently during the day. So far everyone is fine. No frostbite. A bit of attitude but mainly because they want OUT AND THEY WANT OUT NOW!

I'd keep an eye on the boys for frostbite, grease them up with Vasoline if they show signs and like everyone is doing, pray for spring or at least a break in the cold wave.

As along as they have shelter, no drafts and can hunker down together on a roost they will do fine.

 

[duluthralphie]

As long as they are sheltered from the wind and have ventilation, they should be fine. chickens generally generate enough heat to keep the henhouse slightly warm, but it doesn't hurt to run a heat lamp in extremely cold weather.
Good Luck!

Google search ......chicken coop heat lamp burns house down


And see how much a heat lamp won't hurt

 

[GodofPecking]

I cut holes in old fridges and used them as a chicken coops.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...fridge-to-keep-warm-in-cold-climates.1069282/

 

[17 chickens]

It is very cold here to down to zero, I have a small coop with 14 hens in it and another coop that is huge that has 51 hens, 1 rooster and 18 ducks in it. It also has 5 duck nesting boxes that are 24"x 24" in size and 18 chicken nesting boxes. I have placed 2 hear lamps in the big coop plus using the deep litter method too to keep heat in. I also placed 1 heat light in the small coop to keep them warm too. The key to no fires is you must treat your lights as you are child proofing them. I not only clip the lights on I also put nails and bend the nails over to keep them supported, Then I get my wire and run a few circles in and out of the hanger and around the clamp then around a beam a few times. I give it a few tugs to see if it moves and if not your good to go.

 

[mill-j]

Google search ......chicken coop heat lamp burns house down


And see how much a heat lamp won't hurt

We've used heat lamps for years and never set anything on fire. You have to be careful, but no just because you use a heat lamp doesn't mean your henhouse is guaranteed to burn down.

 

[duluthralphie]

We've used heat lamps for years and never set anything on fire. You have to be careful, but no just because you use a heat lamp doesn't mean your henhouse is guaranteed to burn down.

I did not say everyone would....I just mentioned that to make sure you do it safely...I am willing to bet everyone of those people using them to keep their adult chickens alive, then burning the house or coop down, had done it for years too..

I do though, think it is an unnecessary risk, especially in the warmer climates many of you live in. My birds hit 30-40 below every year, they do fine without any added heat.