Need experienced advice on how to deal with single digit temps in non-insulated coop

[GardenDmpls]

Chickens can tolerate the cold. We have been getting down to -30F for the past few weeks. We have put thick plastic covering surrounding the external walls of our coop. The chickens have adapted, however we are only getting 1/2 the eggs we normally get. We also feed them extra protein - dehydrated worms in the in the months, to help them keep warm. So far, so good. As weather warms up, the egg production normally increases again. (Interestingly, our friends in Guadeloupe, who also have chickens are facing the same problem with diminished egg production as the temperature has gone down more than anticipated. The owners belief this is due to climate change)

The reason egg production goes down has nothing to do with the cold. It has to do with day length, most specifically hours of light. Egg farmers will have lights go on automatically in the pre-dawn hours so that their flocks keep laying through the winter. I don't give added light as I feel their bodies need the break.

As far as chickens and low temperature, you need to understand their physiology. Their normal body temperature is between 105 and 107 degrees F and they don't lose that heat by sweating, like we do. They have a layer of down feathers under their outer feathers. The down traps the heat very well, as you would know if you have ever worn a down coat.

 

[DLA]

Hi there, I’m in Sweden and we have several days and night with even below 5F temps. I have a few different breeds, no silkies though. A few Orps, OE, EE, CL, CM and a few mixes. We have two coops, connected with a big fenced-in yard/run that I cover with transparent tarp every fall/winter to keep the wind and snow out. One of the coops are insulated and one is not. And obviously the coldest place is the tarped-in run. Guess where they all sleep? In the run. If we didnt have the nests in the coops, my guess is they wouldn’t even go in there. We have deep litter in the whole run and in the coops in the winter, about 8-10 inches thick, and I cover their roosting bars with insulating cloth, to protect their feet from getting too cold when the temperature drops. They seem to love it. I also cover the ceiling in the run with the same cloth (it’s a thick wool and polyester fabric used for sound proofing) to protect theirs combs from the cold hardware cloth and keep some of their body heat radiating back at them. Daytime I flip the deep litter to speed up the composting process and hide corn and sunflower seeds in there for them. Hope this helps.

Could you link what kind of transparent tarp you use and how they hold up against wind, snow and cold and how many years do they last, thanks!

 

[WHB3]

It's going to get down to 5° F tonight and I'm not at all prepared for it having never before seen temps like these in my years of chicken keeping. My coop is NOT insulated and when closed up only gets about 2-5 degrees above the external temps, which in our usual 40 degree nights is no issue at all, but is possibly dangerous tonight. I'm going to clear the droppings boards to minimize moisture but I need to know how I can bring the temps up inside without a heater. All ideas are welcome.

Anything to break the flow of air through the coop, but allow for adequate ventilation. Plastic sheeting, cardboard, trash bags, old towels or tarps covering the spaces through which cold air can seep. We have a coop with siding, and a run with chicken wire. During the winter we staple plastic sheeting over the run's wire, leaving uncovered a 2" space at the top. Historically we've used one 200 watt max, radiant heat panel in the run, but this year's temps have been so low we're using two, placed back to back so the hens aren't huddled on only one side. We modified our coop's outside egg door with towels to cover each nesting box, and plastic sheeting on the outside of the door to eliminate wind-driven drafts. Our nighttime temps have been into the negative double digits, but our hens are doing well! Best wishes to you and your flock!

 

[Oopsie]

I had a girl looking poorly between intense molt and cold temps. I pulled her in to my enclosed shower/bath tub and she stayed the night in the darkened bathroom. Water, food, electrolytes, and straw so she didn't slip - she was living large until her comb pinked up again. She's a Barred Rock - so she's a hardy breed.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Thanks for everyone’s advice here. The news had me freaking out warning poultry and livestock owners to prepare though I honestly didn’t know at what point the temps are truly dangerous. They’re all well though, just sacrificing their space to huddle lol.

 

[chickenwhisper123]

It's going to get down to 5° F tonight and I'm not at all prepared for it having never before seen temps like these in my years of chicken keeping. My coop is NOT insulated and when closed up only gets about 2-5 degrees above the external temps, which in our usual 40 degree nights is no issue at all, but is possibly dangerous tonight. I'm going to clear the droppings boards to minimize moisture but I need to know how I can bring the temps up inside without a heater. All ideas are welcome.

i would recommend keeping manure as it keeps heat from the nitrogen i also highly recommend feeding them scratch. also seal any places that let cold air in with tarp or pipe insulation or calk. it also depends on how cold hardy your breed chickens are. i hope you found this helpful

 

[chickenwhisper123]

It's going to get down to 5° F tonight and I'm not at all prepared for it having never before seen temps like these in my years of chicken keeping. My coop is NOT insulated and when closed up only gets about 2-5 degrees above the external temps, which in our usual 40 degree nights is no issue at all, but is possibly dangerous tonight. I'm going to clear the droppings boards to minimize moisture but I need to know how I can bring the temps up inside without a heater. All ideas are welcome.

I would recommend you not clean out your coop during the winter as the nitrogen keep heat in the coop. i would also suggest feeding your chickens scratch also stapling tarps over the windows and calking and using pipe insulation for any places allowing cold air in your coop

 

[Estrella]

Could you link what kind of transparent tarp you use and how they hold up against wind, snow and cold and how many years do they last, thanks!

Sure, we use something called ”reinforced trapulin”, I’ll snap a few pictures of the setup today and post it here. As it is wind proof is keeps their own heat in the coop/run; every chicken produce about 10w. It’s not clear, but it’s called transparent as it is not solid white. Search for ”clear heavy duty tarp” on Amazon.

 

[rogerhalsmith]

Nothing lower than 20 degrees. Usually in the low 40s or high 30s. This is the coldest winter we’ve ever seen though. I have two d’uccles and a Sumatra I’m worried about too. My Orpingtons and Marans should be okay and my BR and SS wouldn’t be a worry if they weren’t on the older end though I’m sure they’ll be alright.