Need Quick Advice For Today's Weather

[NorthernMIFlock]

This is my first year with chickens and we have 9 (4 Barred Rock, 3 Isa Brown, 2 Buff Orp) who are about 8 months old. My question is whether or not to keep their coop door closed today. Their coop is a converted shed about 10'x10', insulated, with deep pine shavings on the wood floor. My husband made a hardware cloth screen door under the big door, and we have always opened the heavy door and kept the screen door closed for light and ventilation. Today it will struggle to get to 0 degrees F, with 20-30 below wind chills here in northern MI. Do I leave the big door closed all day? They have a pop out door which is closed because too much snow in their run, and a vent near the ceiling. There is not much light if the big door is closed. Worried about them today

 

[Melky]

I winterized my coop. See winterizing articles in the Learning Center. I closed all windows and put plastic over them on outside. I put curtains on inside of windows for draft protection. I left one top vent open. Make sure no drafts over heads. Put curtains or plastic on pop door for draft protection similar to pup door. Plastic should be in strips hanging from the top. I put a tarp over coop/run that is snow proof from harbor freight. It covers roof and all sides. It provides heat, draft protection, and prevents snow/ice from getting in. I also put straw around outside of coop, inside run, and inside coop. I keep it clean and dry. I put more straw down as needed in run to keep feet off frozen ground.

I put a K and H fireproof heating pad inside the coop on wall. It is secured with industrial strength Velcro purchased at Walgreens. I have a wireless weather sensor secured with Velcro to coop door.

Don’t forget applying Zeolite for ammonia control to remove risk of ammonia toxicity and poultry protector to remove risk of pests sneaking in during the winter as well.

When temps get to single digits and zero my chickens are closed inside coop at night. I let them out for food/water in the am. When go back inside then close coop till temps are higher. This usually is just a couple hours max. I use my heat sources when below 30 degrees as at risk for frostbite at freezing temps.

Humidity is generated through breathing and manure. Moisture will rest on top of chickens combs, wattles, legs, feet, and toes. Due to lack of feathering, decreased circulation during colder temps, and humidity they are at risk for frostbite. Chickens with larger combs and wattles should have petroleum Vaseline applied to prevent frostbite as they are at high risk. Also chickens with feathered legs will be at higher risk for frostbite. So will Muscovy ducks as no feathering to face.

During colder temperatures below freezing a chicken will shunt blood supply to vital organs and the peripheral structures will then have decreased circulation. So keeping warm and dry is key to prevent frostbite and possibly death.

Another issue is hydration. Keep water from freezing during the day and I pull mine at night since not eating anyway along with food. I keep a heated fountain or base for fountain. Keep checking for frozen water anyway because they may still freeze if temps get low enough. I then provide fresh tap water from house in bowls till water unfreezes and keep tapping out frozen water in fountain. Dehydration puts birds at risk for frostbite so keep hydrated and dry!

I check on mine frequently throughout day during freezing temperatures to make sure active with no signs of frostbite. Make sure plenty of fresh water and stay warm! Best Wishes!

I'm at -18 here with windchill. My coop wireless weather sensor is reading 12-13 degrees and 60% humidity. Humidity of 60-70's is usually fine but keeping as low as possible is goal. Clean and dry. The girls are doing fine. I still had two eggs today from 4 birds.