Starting to cool down.

[bald egg]

Last week the heat index was 110, now the forcast is mid 60's for the next few nights, when do I close the windows? Bob and the girls are 16 weeks old and I am new to chickens. At what tempature do I start to close up the coop. They have weathered the hot summer with a fan and all windows open but now I have to think about the tempature regulation. I plan to close the south window for mid 60's and start gradually closing them all. Any tips from the experts. I could use some advise.

 

[dawg53]

Gosh, I wish we had temps like that! We wont have mid 60's most likely til October(sigh.) You can shut their fan off, but leave the windows open. They need to physically adjust to the changing temperatures. Chickens are able to handle cooler temps more so than hot temps.

 

[JLS]

I would leave the all the windows open. It's very important for your birds to "weatherize". I live in Maine and I leave the windows open until it hits the low 40's. You'll be pleasantly surprised with how hardy your chickens are.

 

[mdbokc]

Just south of you in OK. Leave the windows open. 60 degrees is heavenly to them.

 

[bald egg]

Thank You!! I was not sure what cold was to a chicken. So, keep the windows open till we hit the 40's or 50's ? I am a little slow.

I know they will adapt to the cold but did not know how they handle an abrupt change. high of 80 today but the 90's will return soon.

 

[JLS]

Cold and wet or sleet/snow is not good. In those cases you'ld need to sheild them from the elements. Cool and dry is the way to go