It’s -7 here and I’m scared!

[Amer]

You are fine, it is the negative teens here at times. We do not use heat lamps because they are a fire hazard, but do heat our water to keep from freezing. Always insulate and use Vaseline on their combs.

 

[bluebird]

The problem with supplemental heat is the birds not becoming accustomed to the actual temps. Once started you have to continue the supplemental heat.

If the electricity goes out, which it does in winter storms your birds may not survive the lack of heat, If you do not add heat, you know they will survive.

x3

 

[Smuvers Farm]

The problem with supplemental heat is the birds not becoming accustomed to the actual temps. Once started you have to continue the supplemental heat.

If the electricity goes out, which it does in winter storms your birds may not survive the lack of heat, If you do not add heat, you know they will survive.

Some people, no matter how many times you tell them to NOT use heat, will use heat... which is why I said *if you feel the need* and gave a SAFER OPTION for heating. I have no plans to heat our coops or runs.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

You are fine, it is -40°C here (-40°F).

Remember people that the great thing about negative temperatures is that air this cold has almost ZERO humidity.

In early January 1966 the Mercury in the Tennessee Valley dropped to -19 Fahrenheit. and it stayed cold for weeks. Although I provided them with a dry and spacious hen house, almost all of my 200 or so free range game hens roosted in large pin oak trees or slept on limbs in the peach orchard, all slept totally out in the open and were buffeted by the wind. With nary-a-problem. Remember that game fowl are more rugged than fowl bred for a specific color.

 

[Welshies]

Remember that game fowl are more rugged than fowl bred for a specific color.

Yes!! Small combed birds are cold hardier than large combed birds. Waterfowl are hardier than chickens if kept dry. Turkeys and quail are susceptible to cold if not kept out of the wind and not provided with a warm area. Birds with feathered feet MUST be watched for ice balls or snow balls accumulating in the feathers.

 

[Lelilamom]

Last year hubby locked the birds OUTSIDE the coop over night by accident and it was -20 with the windchill. My poor girls. They were fine though and gave him the what for when he went to let them out in the morning. I found out what happened and gave them all big hugs and extra treats. Our coop is very well insulated and ventilated but unheated and they are all doing well. As a comparison, we had several wild chickens at a farmhouse we are restoring, and managed to get them into the uninsulated but heated coop. After a week in the coop with freezing temps outside and the heat lamp going 24/7, one sadly died. With only one remaining, we brought her back to our coop. She seems happy and is doing well.

 

[silly4buttons]

ventilation is key, and keeping moisture out
make sure no water is spilled and make sure there is adequate ventilation
i have never heated my coop and have never had issues with frostbite

here is my weather today, and the birds are outside

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That like me I am about 15 mins for the nh border i hate the cold ever since they put me on blood thinners