So freaking cold!!!

[aart]

I have a smal flock, 4 hens. They’ve been doing well in the cold but I just feel so bad for them. It’s been soooo cold. I’ve read all of the cons about providing a heating source but is there anything at all I can add to raise the temp a few degrees? I don’t want them to be depended on it so they get used to the cold but there has to be something!!

Posting some pics of your coop inside and out would help a lot.
So would adding your location to your profile

 

[chickmom3941]

We've used a heat lamp in very cold weather every winter before this, but after reading a few stories of coop fires (and seeing the pics of smoldering ashes) where all the chickens died a horrible death, we decided to not supply any heat to the coop this year. We've had some pretty frigid weather here already (way below zero, and that's not counting wind chill). It's taken all my resolve to not run out and add a heat lamp or two. Believe me, I totally understand what you're going through. I've had a lot of encouragement from other BYC members who live in areas with weather similar to ours, who have never used supplemental heat. Long story short, our flock is hanging in there after weeks of very cold weather, and they are looking good. There's lots of things you can do to help them out, without adding heat. I do still fret over how cold my babies are, but at least I don't have to worry about their coop burning down with them in it, and that's a relief.

 

[JackE]

I live in MD. Check out the pic below. The whole front wall is wide open, year round. There is no heater in there. This coop has been in use for over 8yrs, and none of the chickens that live in it, has suffered from cold related problems, such as frostbite. They easily handle the cold we get, in this area of the country. Look at where they are at, in the pic. Ready for me to open the door, and let them out. Of course, because they are so spoiled, I have to clear the snow for them, first.