Need Extreme Cold Weather Reassurance...and some Frostbite advice

[WindingRoad]

Well all animals suffer in severe cold. What you do is totally up to you though. Best wishes.

Even the huskies in Alaska.

 

[chickens really]

Even the huskies in Alaska.

Yes. All animals suffer from extreme cold.
Anyways enjoy your day..

 

[vantain]

The first winter is tough!
Sounds like you're set up pretty well.
Is that south window under the cover of the enclosed run?
I'm for hands off the frostbite, can further damage already compromised tissues and introduce infection. The swelling should go down with a couple days.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbite-in-sw-michigan.74597/

I'll quit whining about our forecast few days of just below zero temps.

Think this is the go-to MN chat thread, might get more advice there:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/16115539

Here are a few pictures of the coop. The window you are referring to is not in the run. In the first picture, it is the one in the porch area of the coop. I closed things down a bit in preparation for last night's snow storm.

 

[sevenbabychicks]

Whoa, that's a seriously amazing coop! I've never seen one with a front porch before

It looks nice and solid to me. What breeds of chickens do you have? Are they young? If they're pretty young, healthy, and fluffy, they should be just fine. I've kept chickens in more ramshackle coops at -25F before without issue - though I'm also in MN (Minneapolis) and am nervous about our upcoming superfreeze. We have an older hen and one who's pretty close-feathered who I'm a little worried about, so we picked up a Sweeter Heater that kicks in at 0 and provides a bit of warmth right in front of/under it. This is the first time I've ever used any kind of supplemental heat, but it's directional, minimal, and there isn't the fire risk of conventional bulbs. Still will be checking on them a lot, though!

 

[vantain]

Whoa, that's a seriously amazing coop! I've never seen one with a front porch before

It looks nice and solid to me. What breeds of chickens do you have? Are they young? If they're pretty young, healthy, and fluffy, they should be just fine. I've kept chickens in more ramshackle coops at -25F before without issue - though I'm also in MN (Minneapolis) and am nervous about our upcoming superfreeze. We have an older hen and one who's pretty close-feathered who I'm a little worried about, so we picked up a Sweeter Heater that kicks in at 0 and provides a bit of warmth right in front of/under it. This is the first time I've ever used any kind of supplemental heat, but it's directional, minimal, and there isn't the fire risk of conventional bulbs. Still will be checking on them a lot, though!

Thanks for the compliment on the coop. It was a kids playhouse for a long time, and I put new siding and decking on it this past summer for my new flock. So the porch was already there. The inside measures 6x8, but I partitioned it off and only gave them a 4x6 foot section. I only have the four hens, which are ISA Browns, and are 10 months old. Here is a picture of the inside:

 

[aart]

Here are a few pictures of the coop. The window you are referring to is not in the run. In the first picture, it is the one in the porch area of the coop. I closed things down a bit in preparation for last night's snow storm.

Are those eaves open?
Yeah, I'd close own the south window....cracking open a window on run side of coop might be a good alternative.
Nice set up!

 

[vantain]

Are those eaves open?
Yeah, I'd close own the south window....cracking open a window on run side of coop might be a good alternative.
Nice set up!

Yes, the eaves are open on both sides (coop and run), though I do close some of coop ones off if the winds are really howling and the snow is flying.

 

[vantain]

Are those eaves open?
Yeah, I'd close own the south window....cracking open a window on run side of coop might be a good alternative.
Nice set up!

There is a window on the run side, but it is right behind their roost, which I think would just lead to drafts if it were open. It's great in the summertime, since they love the breeze there on the roost. I also built a temporary hover around the roost to help trap some of their own heat in that spot. I have a thermometer in there, and honestly don't think it helped one bit. There is even an insulated blanket around it.

 

[vantain]

...and here we go...
Currently -16F outside, and -3F inside the coop. Chickens are bedded down for the night. I hope to NOT find frozen chicken in the outdoor freezer in the morning.

Here they are snuggled up near each other.

 

[bobbi-j]

...and here we go...
Currently -16F outside, and -3F inside the coop. Chickens are bedded down for the night. I hope to NOT find frozen chicken in the outdoor freezer in the morning.

Here they are snuggled up near each other.
View attachment 1657491

Welcome from a fellow Minnesotan! If they are healthy, you should not find frozen chickens in the morning. I would not touch the frostbit combs and wattles. Besides hurting her, you could cause tissue damage.