Southern Chickens NEED More Heat Than Northern Chickens, IMHO

[gritsar]

Our daytime high the day before yesterday was 82 degrees. I was outside in a tank top cleaning coops. Yesterday we barely made it to 45. Today it never got above 34. They say we may get a dusting of snow tonight. Southern chickens do too know about fluctations in temps. At least the ones living in Arkansas do.

 

[bburn]

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That is for sure!

 

[Jx2inNC]

I doubt the South has volatile temp swings nearly to the extent of a handful of other locations in the U.S.
I'm sure there are times that will catch the birds by surprise, but I can't see them not being prepared just fine.
Staying cool is what they do 70% of the year. When a cold streak comes through, those vast layers of feathers can insulate ridiculously well.
I've had no lights or heat to the coop to this point and the birds are up and at 'em...active as ever.
I may add some light/heat for convenience and prevent freezing water, but we've had probably 7-10 nights in the last 3 weeks that have been 20* or below, down to about 15*.
Cannot tell much of a difference in them for the most part, other than wanting thawed water or treats a little more often.

 

[whiskaers]

I am new to having chickens for eggs as this is my first time and my first winter with them in south east coastal South Carolina. We missed the snow, got a few flakes, but temp drop into mid 20's at night. I was concerned about how well chickens tolerate the cold, I notice that the wild birds seem to do well. From the post that I have read here, it appears that they tolerate cold weather very well. My chickens have a fenced yard to roam in and a raised coop for the night. Your experiences have been very helpful.

 

[HorizonSon]

centrarchid; I agree... First starting with a breed that is historically ideal for ones typical climate. Next; purchasing that breed(s) from a hatchery/breeder that's closest to that same/similar climate and that has good raising practices.

An example: If I lived in the Florida Keys, I probably wouldn't raise LF Cochins with walnut combs. Likewise; if I lived in Northern Montana, I probably wouldn't raise Leghorns.

This is a slightly over simplified answer; but it should make for a basic guideline.

 

[7L Farm]

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I agree & I live in Texas it was 75 & then 20 the other day. I call that fluctuating temp. It gets cold in Texas I guarante.

 

[centrarchid]

In central Missouri and with a near feral flock or two running about, I have come to the conclusion my birds are at near the limit as to what they can tolerate in terms of cold without resorting to having walls and a roof for all my birds with feeders and waterers at same location. The free ranging birds have to go out after eats well away from the roost and they are obviously cold when temperature is low and wind is high. Yes they are insulated but if they knew how too, like my dog already figured out with their feeders, they would move their feeders to the shed and eat there (darn pup). They do obviously adapt as standing in snow for hours on end no longer bothers them and when I have them fly up for inspection (advantage of trained birds) their feet are quite warm to the touch. Three weeks ago feet were cold to touch. Juveniles would have a hard time surviving let alone growing this time of year, therefore this is the last time I will take birds of later than July hatch into winter. Surviving colder temperatures or having a less reliable food supply would require bigger fluffier birds with scratching abilities of a turkey to keep fed. Same changes would make for an easy meal for diurnal ground predators. Games and possible red jungle fowl can fudge this by taking advantage of much larger foraging ranges but even so males have those darn combs that freeze in blizzard conditions with temperatures dropping below 0 Fahrenheit.

Rose combs are an obvious advantage over wild-type single combs in respect to frost bite but a smaller version of a rose comb would be even better.

Keeping birds cooped up with more complete wind protection obviously enables husbandry at higher latitudes.

 

[gritsar]

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