So freaking cold!!!

[jbrianchamberli]

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!!

 

[Welshies]

They will be fine. What is your temperature? All birds are more than fine in temps of -4°F (-20°C) or even lower. I only add a heat lamp at -40°F (-40°C). Adding heat makes them dependent on that heat source.
Keep ventilation nice and open, don't give anything that steams.

 

[jbrianchamberli]

I’m in MD and it’s supoosed to be around 0, maybe a bit below with the wind chill. I built this thing myself and there is an open vent above where they roost so I think they have the right amount of ventilation. The water heater I bought them works well but that’s in the run so that won’t give off any moisture.

 

[Chullicken]

Been keeping chickens for a few years and the idea of 'proper' ventilation still gives me heartburn. Having all those open holes in my coop exhaust my emotions. I have to keep reminding myself they're better off for it than not.

 

[Welshies]

I’m in MD and it’s supoosed to be around 0, maybe a bit below with the wind chill. I built this thing myself and there is an open vent above where they roost so I think they have the right amount of ventilation. The water heater I bought them works well but that’s in the run so that won’t give off any moisture.

Don't supply extra heat, they'll be fine!

 

[MolliesDollies]

I'm in the same boat, large coop and only 6 cold chickens. Its -20*F here, though. I went ahead and but the heat lamp (tightly secured) in for the next few nights of negatives. It is only around 20*F inside with the lamp, so its not like its creating a sauna. But I'm a noob, and I love my chickens. It's probably the wrong thing to do, but I can't in good conscience not give them a little extra warmth

 

[Chullicken]

I'm in the same boat, large coop and only 6 cold chickens. I went ahead and but the heat lamp (tightly secured) in for the next few nights of negatives. It is only around 20*F inside with the lamp, so its not like its creating a sauna. But I'm a noob, and I love my chickens. It's probably the wrong thing to do, but I can't in good conscience not give them a little extra warmth

We all do it at some point, apply human conditions in thinking to our animals which is fine. But, they have been around a lot longer than we have. =)

 

[jbrianchamberli]

Yeah they have a large vent on both sides of hen house, one leads to the outside, the other is covered by the run. It’s above their heads but they can peak out of it a bit if they stretch. They also have the option to use a different roost but they never do.

 

[Toctoc]

Just to add to this, I'm I'm Massachusetts and the low over night tonight and tomorrow is supposed to be -14 or around there with wind chill. . . I only have 4 girls in a small coop and I have the run protected, but I'm worried this may be too cold. Any thoughts?

 

[Samannemm]

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!!

I caved and purchased a flat heat panel. They’re only meant to provide radiant heat so that just the chickens that are cold can huddle around it. I have such a small flock (3) that it does heat my coop a few degrees warmer than the outside temp. They sleep around it so they’re happy I bought it. It’s finally supposed to be “warm” again on Sunday here (40F). Hopefully that prediction doesn’t change because we’ve had over two weeks of subzero temps without the windchill. Here’s a longer post about why I decided on a heat panel and you may find the rest of the thread useful as well: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/i-hate-this-polar-vortex.1213957/page-8#post-19371271