It's Frozen!

[amyfitz100]

Everything is frozen! I wish kids would quit singing that song! It's going to be 10° tonight and 5° tomorrow and that is NOT normal where I live. Brrr. So what do I do with my chickens? They are locked up in the coop (with a small heat lamp) tonight, but do I open the pop door in the morning before work? Should I put their food/water in the coop with them instead of in the run? Haven't had to deal with temps this cold before...

 

[Mrs. K]

Turn off the heat lamp - they often cause fires.

Leave the pop up door OPEN all night and day.

Think DRY not warm, think of five people in a car without the engine running, immediately moisture builds up inside the car. Moisture equals COLD, a dry bird can take a lot of cold, but a wet one is miserable and sick.

Fresh air, dry bedding and shelter from the prevailing wind.

Mrs K

 

[amyfitz100]

Okay, thanks! They have two windows on opposite walls in addition to the vets near the ceilings. One window is only a screen, and the other is a regular window that I have partially open to a screen. They seem to get a lot of ventilation. And it is CRAZY windy tonight. I will be sure and open the door (and replace the frozen water!) before I leave for work. Thanks a bunch! I feel better already.

 

[bobbi-j]

Ditto what Mrs. K. said.

 

[aart]

Just make sure they can get out of any wind/draft strong enough to ruffle feathers and disturb their 'insulation'.