New coop in Houston, TX. How cold is too cold for chickens?

[Ashal]

I'm getting ready to build a new coop in Houston. I've done a lot of research so I feel fairly prepared however, I'm hung up on weather. I know that chickens can handle some low temperatures but with the temperature dropping into the 20's at night during the winter here, I wonder if I can get away with wire covered windows or should I put in glass windows that can close?
Any ideas would be appreciated.

Chad

 

[bockbock2008]

I put two glass windows on the front that are stationary and a screen window on each end. Now thats its cold here I just boarded the screen windows.

 

[TexasVet]

I have a screen window that I cover with thick plastic in the winter time or when heavy rain is expected. Even a trash bag will work, and clear ones will let the light in too.

Kathy in Texas
Bellville

 

[moduckman]

The key is eliminating drafts. A chicken can handle below zero temperatures as long as there are no drafts. Covering the windows may eliminate the drafts.

 

[speltier]

I think I coddle mine... I have a 250w heat lamp in their roost, which is fairly small... that and the thing's not too drafty. It's been to 38 at night here in the last few days... they'd probably be fine, but I figure, they're young, so it can't hurt.

 

[CARS]

My birds do fine at -20F. In all honesty, they are more active out there right now than I am

I house wrapped my barn when I re-sided it so it is pretty draft free.

 

[beerguzzler]

I live in Houston and built a coop with 3 sides and roof leaving one end open into the run. I have one neighbor who has a similar setup and my other neighbor has no coop, just a wide open barn they roost in for the night.

For my time in Houston (10ish years) it has dipped down into the 20's a very limited number of times. The big concern I have is the heat. That's why I have them setup with shade (roof) and one end open to allow lots of air circulation. I just got my birds in October (6 months old at the time) and I have gotten eggs everyday since Dec 25th. I get 3-6 eggs per day with 14 young hens and since it's winter and I don't have a light out there I am pretty happy. Also, for the few nights of frost we have had, I inspected them each morning and found no frostbite on their combs.

 

[cgmccary]

I live in N.E. Alabama and the coldest it gets here in the winter is about 8 F on the coldest winter night (this year). My chickens roost on an open roost & do fine.

 

[Meisel Photography]

As long as an adult chicken is dry and out of the wind it will do fine. I'm in North Dakota and have never lost a chicken to the cold, even at -40.

 

[countrygirl_247]

I have 3 couchin hens & 1 silkie/? roo & the coldest it's been here in Indiana was about - 5 at night. They r right about as long as draft free & dry bedding they will be fine.