Super cold weather!

[dalasgalas]

At -22 F last winter my girls were out in the run, eating and drinking and pecking and scratching like it was a normal day. For them, it was. Wind chill factor only counts if the birds are out in the wind. If they are in a protected run or in the coop there is no wind chill to factor in.

When it's cold the sparrows and wrens are out flying around from place to place. They are not huddled up in a ball trying to stay warm. Like the chickens they also wear a down coat year round.

Strange that no one worries about air conditioning for the birds on 80 degree days in the summer. It must be more uncomfortable for the birds to be wearing those down coats in the summer than it is to be wearing those down coats in the winter.

I only worry about the girls when the temp is over 95. The only bird I've lost was during a 105 degree stretch here in Austin. She jumped the fence while I was at work and died of heat stroke. I had ramps set up to go back to the yard should they jump the fence but she wasn't the smartest in the bunch. The sweetest, but definitely not the smartest. My son was devastated. It was his chicken. Since then I try to always have water in the front yard should they decide to jump the fence to forage. She was a dedicated forager.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I set up a heat lamp today for them, Have a cozy coop heater coming tomorrow. I am not trying to heat the coop but rather given them a place to go to warm up if needed. Down to 0* tonight.

I got a Cozy Coop this year too! They really don’t pay much attention to it, but it makes me feel better that they have it!

And I do worry about the heat. We are in way-Southern Ohio, where it’s always hot and always humid. We will be installing an exhaust fan in the eaves this year. I’m hoping it makes a difference...

 

[The Phantom]

I clean the coop before the cold spell and lock them up. I leave one window cracked so there is no moisture buildup.
It is going to be -20F here Friday. That isn’t even the wind chill!

 

[RoosterML]

And I do worry about the heat. We are in way-Southern Ohio, where it’s always hot and always humid. We will be installing an exhaust fan in the eaves this year. I’m hoping it makes a difference...

Also gets pretty hot a stuffy here. I have a power vent mounted on the roof of the coop, one of those mushroom looking vents. It works great. It has a built in thermostat and I have it set to come on around 85°. Keeps the inside of the coop the same temp as outside and causes a very slight draft. That's all you can really ask for in the summer. Make sure to cover the fan with some small square hardware cloth.

 

[RoosterML]

I clean the coop before the cold spell and lock them up. I leave one window cracked so there is no moisture buildup.
It is going to be -20F here Friday. That isn’t even the wind chill!

Good luck, some heat wouldn't hurt.

 

[The Phantom]

Good luck, some heat wouldn't hurt.

Thankyou. I absolutely hate using heat lamps and never have in the coop. I have a small coop and a bunch of hens so they actually stay really warm. Surprisingly they all snuggle up and don’t pick on each other.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Here's my girls this morning at 11 F. . Yesterday at zero F. . Monday was -7 F with wind chill -25. Yeah they only came out to consume Scratch, then back inside the coop. .
If no wind, they prefer outside. GC

 

[RoosterML]

Here's my girls this morning at 11 F.View attachment 1651006. Yesterday at zero F.View attachment 1651007. Monday was -7 F with wind chill -25. Yeah they only came out to consume Scratch, then back inside the coop.View attachment 1651011.
If no wind, they prefer outside. GC

It's been a heck of a week around here @GC-Raptor. Hope not to many flooding issues with the rain tomorrow.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Here in Southern Ohio too. I’m so tired of rain I could scream! I’m watching the deer at the feeder right now and they look pretty miserable.

Hey, quick question for you cold weather folks - my pullets are all looking a little pale yesterday and today. No symptoms of illness, and they are all eating like stevedores and playing normally, they’re just a little pale around their faces (combs, wattles, and facial skin). They’ve not had any weird food or treats, no exposure to any chemicals, etc. their feet are not pale and they are all warm like normal. I’m just wondering if it’s from the cold snap. Do I need to add some Nutridrench or probiotics to the water when the temps drop like a rock?

 

[Silkies for life]

Mine have two chick heat lamps in our coop.

This is what my chickens have! They love to sit by the lamp on cold mornings!