Silkies - preventing wet crests in bitter winter

[East Coast Yeti]

We added Silkies to our flock this year and had winterproofed their coop by wrapping it with plastic and putting a tarp over the roof. We are having one of those bitter cold weeks with temps below 0 with the wind. I went to check on them and noticed a few of them had wet crests and when I touched them the feather were frozen. I have moved them temporarily into the garage with a bit of heat to thaw their crests. Now my question is how do we prevent their crests from getting wet. I'm guessing it must be from drinking their water - they are slobs. Would it be ok to trim their crests and beards? Anyone have luck with a heated rabbit waterer?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The problem is you closed things up too tight and moisture can't be removed by ventilation. Pictures of your set up would help. You may need to remove some of your plastic. Moisture in a coop is a sure way to get frostbite and pneumonia in your birds. A dry coop is a warm coop even if the temperatures are bitterly cold.

 

[East Coast Yeti]

I think you're right. We have a large coop with plenty of ventilation and never have a problem. The silkies are in a small coop (5ft x 4ft) 3 sides with plastic and a tarp draped off the back. The back is otherwise open but it's possible the air is getting trapped and not allowing ventilation. We have since built a small chicken tractor and are keeping them in the garage and no issues with wet crests and it's 18F in there. We may keep them in there for the winter since they seem happy and it's easy to check on them.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My bantam pretty much spend all winter in their coop. They go almost the whole time with zero actual sun on them. Their choice. They will probably be happy in the garage, and dryer.