Sharp temperature drop

[saraluvsanimals]

Hello everyone, I've had chickens for about 4 years now. We're in Albuquerque. I've read a lot on not to worry about cold/freezing and understand they can handle extreme temps. However, I'm wondering what is considered a rapid/sharp temperature decline and safety. Today and through tonight will be normal, mid 50s-30s. However, tomorrow in about 12 hrs it is supposed to drop down below 10 (from the low 30s, it is not supposed to warm up, just continue down). Is this time:temp change safe? Everything is set up as it should be...water/feed, extra straw, wind protection and ventilated...no previous problems with cold weather around 12F, but have not had such a sharp drop in temp this fast before (with chickens).

 

[DobieLover]

Hello everyone, I've had chickens for about 4 years now. We're in Albuquerque. I've read a lot on not to worry about cold/freezing and understand they can handle extreme temps. However, I'm wondering what is considered a rapid/sharp temperature decline and safety. Today and through tonight will be normal, mid 50s-30s. However, tomorrow in about 12 hrs it is supposed to drop down below 10 (from the low 30s, it is not supposed to warm up, just continue down). Is this time:temp change safe? Everything is set up as it should be...water/feed, extra straw, wind protection and ventilated...no previous problems with cold weather around 12F, but have not had such a sharp drop in temp this fast before (with chickens).

Welcome to BYC.
They should be fine with that drop.
Make sure they go to roost will full crops. Full of their normal feed and maybe some suet or BOSS for extra fat to burn through the night for a little more metabolic heat generation.

 

[saraluvsanimals]

Welcome to BYC.
They should be fine with that drop.
Make sure they go to roost will full crops. Full of their normal feed and maybe some suet or BOSS for extra fat to burn through the night for a little more metabolic heat generation.

Thank you!

 

[icy_flames]

Welcome to BYC.
They should be fine with that drop.
Make sure they go to roost will full crops. Full of their normal feed and maybe some suet or BOSS for extra fat to burn through the night for a little more metabolic heat generation.

Yep agree! Also give them scratch in the early morning for that jumpstart. Everything your doing is perfect.

I am in CO and its 0 F right now. They are hanging out in coop but I was with them in the run at 7am. All doing fine. I actually have one that might lay her first egg at any moment. Been making LOTS of noises this morning

 

[saraluvsanimals]

Yep agree! Also give them scratch in the early morning for that jumpstart. Everything your doing is perfect.

I am in CO and its 0 F right now. They are hanging out in coop but I was with them in the run at 7am. All doing fine. I actually have one that might lay her first egg at any moment. Been making LOTS of noises this morning

Thank you! It's been so warm down here, in the 60s (unbelievably warm, usually highs in the 30/40s this time of year), half of mine have been laying already for 3-4 weeks.

 

[Mrs. K]

We frequently have very wide swings in temperature, and not a problem. I have noticed, that sometimes they won't eat much, when it first gets cold, which seemed strange to me, but when another poster mentioned it too, and he is a highly respected chicken keeper with lots of experience. In a day or two, they will be right back up to normal consumption.

Mrs K