So chickens can withstand -0 temps. But....

[sacrifice]

A few weeks ago it was -5 (and lower) at night and +5 during the daytime. No heat, but my chickens did get a bit more food. They laid fine throughout the cold temps, and are in great health today, with no frostbite on their combs.

 

[annep]

Living in Colorado, and haven't put heat on them...I asked the same question back at the beginning of winter, and got the same answers..Dont heat them..

 

[1muttsfan]

A heat lamp can actually increase the risk of frostbite if there is too much moisture and too little ventilation in the coop. Something about causing water vapor to gather on the comb, and then freezing. Also, if you supply heat, once you start you can't just stop as the birds get used to it. What if the power goes out and they are used to heat?

 

[vjbakke]

We had -35 wind chill temp ( -15 to -20 air temp) here and no heat added, didn't bring the girls in and they are all alive and healthy. Just a little frostbit on some of their combs.