New member

Pics
Date sort Score sort
1000001207.jpg
Click to expand...
 
talkinboutchickens said:
I would block any vents. Even though you want ventilation in there, if its getting that cold like you said, it is OK to block off airflow.
Click to expand...
This is not the best advice. Blocking off the vents is more than likely what caused the problem in the first place.

You have to have ventilation to remove the moist stale air. In the nearly 8 years I've been raising chickens I've had one case of mild frostbite that was caused by just the cold temperatures. And that was at -23F.

Trying to trap the heat in is going to also trap in the moisture and it will definitely exacerbate the problem. Keeping the birds in a very dry, very well ventilated coop where the roosting area is free from drafts is the best bet. Only when the temperature is sustained in sub-zero conditions night after night should one consider supplementing heat. Or if you are keeping birds that are ill-suited to the cold temperatures like Silkies. But you should never sacrifice ventilation. If a vent is positioned where it will permit wind to blow directly across the birds, you can staple or otherwise attach a furnace filter across the opening to prevent the wind from blowing through as strong. You can also use baffles to redirect the air flow away from the birds.
 
Thank u for the advice. I do have a furnace filter and will attach it to the vent tomorrow
I will also post pics of the coop and yard tmrw. I appreciate all the help.
DobieLover said:
This is not the best advice. Blocking off the vents is more than likely what caused the problem in the first place.

You have to have ventilation to remove the moist stale air. In the nearly 8 years I've been raising chickens I've had one case of mild frostbite that was caused by just the cold temperatures. And that was at -23F.

Trying to trap the heat in is going to also trap in the moisture and it will definitely exacerbate the problem. Keeping the birds in a very dry, very well ventilated coop where the roosting area is free from drafts is the best bet. Only when the temperature is sustained in sub-zero conditions night after night should one consider supplementing heat. Or if you are keeping birds that are ill-suited to the cold temperatures like Silkies. But you should never sacrifice ventilation. If a vent is positioned where it will permit wind to blow directly across the birds, you can staple or otherwise attach a furnace filter across the opening to prevent the wind from blowing through as strong. You can also use baffles to redirect the air flow away from the birds.
Click to expand...
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom