Leghorns in below freezing temps

[Ughmargo]

Hello everyone I am new to raising chickens this has been my first year with my own flock. I have six white leghorn hens who will be a year old in May as well as a black Copper Maran rooster who's almost two. They have been outside in their own coop since June but I have never locked them in at night. They are in an enclosed run with the coop inside and I've left the doors open on their Coop I never have shut them in, they sleep outside on a roost at night, ive never even seen one of my girls sleep inside. This time of year it is very cold where I live and two days ago we had our first snow, so the weather is freezing or below outside right now. I am wondering if I should start locking my girls up in their Coop where they have a heat lamp, or if they will be okay to stay outside. I have been keeping an eye on them they seem like they're doing okay just getting colder and colder and I'm starting to get concerned. Also if I should put them inside the coop at night how should I go about doing so? Any advice would be helpful!

 

[FuzzyCritters]

Yes, they should go into the coop out night. The leghorn's giant combs are prone to getting frostbite, so they shouldn't be out at night in freezing weather. Catch them at night when they are calm, put them in the coop and lock the door.

 

[LateBirdFarms]

How big is the coop? Personally,I wouldn't be using supplemental heat if you're hovering just around the freezing mark.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Can we get a picture of your setup?

 

[aart]

Yes it would hep to have dimensions and see pics inside and outside of your coop and run.

This time of year it is very cold where I live

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
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[Ughmargo]

Can we get a picture of your setup?

Yes i will take a picture and post it as soon as i get home!

 

[Ughmargo]

Yes, they should go into the coop out night. The leghorn's giant combs are prone to getting frostbite, so they shouldn't be out at night in freezing weather. Catch them at night when they are calm, put them in the coop and lock the door.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[Ughmargo]

How big is the coop? Personally,I wouldn't be using supplemental heat if you're hovering just around the freezing mark.

It's a little on the smaller side, i used 5ft by 5ft boards when i built it. Its got 3 nest spots and a bottom level thats big enough for all of them to rest comfortably, as well as a feeder and waterer. I was on the fence about using heat for them but we got about 7 inchs of snow and its been in the 20s at night time. And also my girls are still a bit young so i wanted to be safe rather than sorry. I just want them to be comfortable and happy

 

[Ughmargo]

Yes it would hep to have dimensions and see pics inside and outside of your coop and run.


Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2503347

Oh awesome! Thank you for showing me how to do that i didnt know I could. I will do that asap! As well as post pictures when i get home.

 

[Ughmargo]

Update: I tried to close them in last night but it didnt go so well. I managed to get four of them inside before i decided to give up. The ones inside were sort of freaking out, and the ones outside were running because they were stressed out. They havent ever been locked up before and i didnt want to overly stress them but it was so cold i know that i should've made sure they got inside anyways. I plan on trying again tonight im just unsure how to go about it and make it a non stressful thing for them