its getting cold

[divide420]

at what temp should i srart heating my coop

 

[Blooie]

I live in Northern Wyoming. My coop is un-insulated and unheated. The most critical thing during winter is ventilation rather than heat. Without adequate ventilation, humidity will build up and that's when frostbite happens. The chickens' respirations and droppings put humidity into the air, and if it has no way out it will settle on the chickens sort of like a shower curtain holds in the humidity from your shower. Chickens are well equipped with coats we pay a fortune for - down and feather - and they use them very well to trap plenty of heat next to their bodies where they need it. Chickens suffer much more from heat than from cold.

Some photos of your setup and an idea of what kind of chickens you have would be helpful so we can give you the best advice possible. I don't know what you are using for roosts, but 2X4s with the wide side facing up allow the chickens to sit while they sleep and keep their feet covered.

We haven't met, although I see you've been on BYC for a few months. So a belated Welcome!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm in Wisconsin, never have a heated my chickens and I never will, as Blooie said good ventilation, as well as blocking the prevailing winds, access to sunshine, hay or straw to stand on outside if you have snow, warm water, good food, and proper roosts. Chickens are walking around in down filled coats, they do fine with a little preparations.

 

[aart]

No heat needed for chickens......but their water will need to be kept from freezing.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I personally use rubber bowls which I knock the ice out and refill with warm water twice a day, no heated water needed.

 

[divide420]

i live at 9200 ft it gets sub zero temps. my coop is thin an uninsulated.. hate for my babies to freeze

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We get below zero a lot, mine are in a tin shed, that is, as we say well ventilated.

 

[aart]

i live at 9200 ft it gets sub zero temps. my coop is thin an uninsulated.. hate for my babies to freeze

But it's dry up there, isn't it?
That helps a lot against frostbite.

Sub zero F with wind chills or just air temp?

 

[Blooie]

Ken grew up on a ranch in Wyoming that was over 9000 feet, aart. Um, so that would be air temp. I can attest to that after many winters up there!

But at least here and near Pinedale, where Ken grew up, it was just as you said - dry. That makes a colossal difference.

 

[divide420]

with wind we can go as low as -20F and yes it is very dry,avg. temp is 40F.