Seeking advice on protecting my chickens from cold and frostbite

[Janejane77]

I live in michigan and have 6 Buff Orpingtons. It's supposed to get very cold this week. I have a decent store bought coop. They've been walking around in the snow and seem fine, but have been huddling up against the house or under trees. Tonight I've partially covered the coop with a tarp, as tomorrow will be colder & windy. Do you think this is enough to keep them warm?
Also, I have 1 chicken that had a minor injury a few days ago. I had to move it from the other birds until it heals. It's in a dog kennel inside my garage with a blanket floor. I turn the heat lamp on it for only a couple hours in the evening (I don't like leaving it on at night & while I'm at work for fear of fire). Do you think this is enough to keep this one warm in 5 degree weather? I just worry since it doesn't have the others to snuggle & stay warm.

 

[Janejane77]

Also, I let my chickens out everyday. Is it best to keep them locked in the coop when it's in the low teens and single digit temps? Or continue letting them roam free?

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

Here's some good reading on keeping chickens in winter:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/822765/winter-is-coming-checklists-tips-advice-for-a-newbie/0_30

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-coop-temperatures

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[cstronks]

I'll try and give you an answer rather than just a welcome to BYC. Buffs are hardy, hardy birds. They have a thick skin and dense feather coat, so I would not worry too about extra protection. Is the coop insulated? If not, you can cover it like you planned to prevent from drafts, however you want to keep some ventilation. On super frigid nights though, you can close vents to retain heat. It won't kill the birds. As for the one in the garage...I have done this with birds before that are not super hardy in the winter (minorca). It is a good safety measure in the bitter cold. As long as the garage is not below freezing, then the Buff will be OK without the other birds. The heat lamp will help some. If you have a room in your home that is out of sight (laundry room), you can put her in there while you are gone for warmth and you won't have to worry about fire.

As for protecting from the cold, you only have to ensure that there are no drafts that can get to the birds. If you notice the birds combs are becoming pale, you can put some vaseline on them to prevent frostbite. If you notice black on the combs, then they have frostbite, so you can still apply vaseline, but more steps will need to be taken to treat the bird. Hopefully it does not come that. Best of luck!

 

[sourland]

Keep your coop dry and draft free, and your hens should be fine. Reintroduce the injured hen as soon as is possible. The longer she is away from the flock the harder they will pick on her when she is reintroduced.

 

[petrel]

Nothing to add, except Welcome to BYC!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC and Merry Christmas!

 

[cabinchicky]

hello and welcome!!