I did a lot of research before buying my flock of six Turkens (1 rooster and 5 hens) this spring. They are fully feathered out and were happy and healthy until this week. The temps have plummeted to single digits the past 5 nights and each night. My poor roo, Amadeus, was the first to go. I went to feed them on wednesday and he was fluffed up on the ground. I put him in the brooder with the heat lamp but he died that afternoon. Friday I lost Shirley, she had fallen dead off the perch in the middle of the night. Today I lost Ruth; I found her huddled under the ramp to the henhouse. Mildred is next, I just put her in the brooder but she can't stay there all winter (if she makes it). Gladys and Doris are still in the coop and look fine for now but tonight is supposed to be the coldest night we have had. I was worried about my silkies and frizzle this winter but not these guys. The brooder is too small for more than 2 adult chickens (it is 3' by 3'). I also have a silkie in the brooder right now who accidentally got shut out of the coop friday night and she almost froze to death. There are 30 birds in my 8x8 coop and everybody huddles at night. There are no low drafts, just vents up high.
