Safe temps for chickens inside coop

[Mishyk]

Its going to be below freezing tonight, 28 degrees. I have a small coop. Chickens are healthy, 8 months old...there are 6 of them.

Last night it was also below freezing. Inside the coop got down to 31 degrees.

I have a Brinsea brooder heater I can put in there, but I do not have a thermostat to put on it. Should I put the heater in or will they be ok?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What breeds? Most real chickens at 8 months old can handle temps well below 0 F if they have good ventilation.

 

[Mishyk]

I have 2 Americanas, 2 Wyandottes and 2 Sapphire Gems.

I just want them to be safe.

 

[citymeetscountry]

Ours did fine at 6 months and like 6degree weather

 

[Folly's place]

It's not the temperature, it's about having good ventilation, but not wind blowing on them while they are roosting.
Pictures and dimensions of your coop will help here!
Mary

 

[aart]

It's not the temperature, it's about having good ventilation, but not wind blowing on them while they are roosting.

Ditto Dat!

Pictures and dimensions of your coop will help here!

Yes, please @Mishyk , pics inside and out and all around.
and also.....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[3KillerBs]

I have 2 Americanas, 2 Wyandottes and 2 Sapphire Gems.

I just want them to be safe.

Temperatures in the 30's aren't cold to a chicken. They wear built-in down parkas.

Keep them dry and out of the wind and they'll keep themselves warm.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

They’re tiny furnaces wrapped in down coats, they should be fine as long as the coop isn’t drafty or wet.

We got down to 24° this morning and my girls are all half nekid from the molt and they are out and about just after dawn.

 

[ohkimba]

Hey folks, I'd like to weigh in because I have the same basic question as @Mishyk

I live in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where 45 BELOW is not unusual. This is my first year keeping chickens and I am almost finished transforming my ancient 10x12' potting shed into their coop. I even insulated the thing with 2" foam boards.

I have 16 chickens --a mix of buff/lavender orpingtons, black australorps, and dark brahmas -- all heavy breeds that do well in the cold. They're seven months old.

So...do I need a heater? Or, more to the point: how cold is too cold for chickens?

 

[Suzz]

I live about 45 minutes north of the Twin Cities Ive had chickens about 6 years never had a heater just a covered run and a 3 and a half wall house no insulation they have been just fine and happy