Temperature/fan usage question...

[yinzerchick]

Okay, I've read that the best temp for chickens is 50〫-70〫 As our nighst here are FINALLY getting a little cooler, down to 60〫-68〫 I still have a fan in the window of the coop. When the chickens go in, it's still warm, 78〫-80〫 so I leave it on. But now, just on low/exchange, which still provides some cooler air coming in the big back window, and moves the air around. (This summer I left it on high/input all night since the lows were 85〫)

Question is, should I be turning the fan off and just letting it cool down with the night air? Our temps are just hitting the lows at about 5:00am, and I go out an open the coop about 7:00am. It never feels cold in there, but I don't want them to get a cool draft and get sick or something. I just want them to be comfortable, and I'm a little confused on what they might consider comfortable.

If I had to sleep out there, I would want the fan on... but then again, I'd be able to turn it off if it gets too cool in the early morning, or at least be able to pull a cover up over myself. On the other hand, I'm not covered in feathers either.

Also, depending on where they are roosting, they might not be getting that much air, and the ones nearest the fan are getting a little breeze through their tails. (That's where my roo is roosting!)

Any input will be appreciated beyond words.

Thanks
Deb

 

[MamiPollo]

I don't think they need the fan. Mine have been fine all through our very hot summer in KY without a fan. I had one out there during the day at the beginning of the summer, but the motor burnt out and I did not replace it. They have been just fine.

Now that it is cooling off, and our temps are similar to what you are describing, they are perfectly fine and happy.

Chickens are very hardy and adapt to the weather. They are pretty tough. One thing that is bad for them, though, is drafts. So I would personally ditch the fan.

 

[Judy]

I run a fan all summer, too; our heat is much like yours, though more humid no doubt. It is mounted up high and blows out so it doesn't really blow on them at all. Actually on the hottest nights I would call a "draft" a breeze and wouldn't hesitate to have some breeze on them. The nights are cool enough now that it's time to turn it off here.

 

[elmo]

Let your chickens be your guide. If they hop up to their roost and start panting as they settle in for the night, you could turn on the fan. If they don't pant, they're fine.

Does the fan blow directly on the chickens? If so, I'd set it up so they can move out of the draft if they want to. I don't know how your roosts are set up, but it's always good to allow for choices.

 

[trailpleasure]

I have my fans on a timer for the hotter part of the day and the Cochins with their heavy feathers here in Florida love to sit in front of the fans. They do have areas to get away from it as needed.

 

[yinzerchick]

Thanks everyone! The fan doesn't blow directly on any of them, but the ones closer to it, near the back window, will get a little more of the "breeze", (just on their tails) but they can move out of the way if they want. It actually seems like a fairly coveted seat. They are usually panting a bit when they get on the roosts. I didn't think the placement of the coop through enough, and have the big door facing west, so they get sun, right up till it sets. It was 83 outside at 10:30 last night, so it's staying warm pretty late. That's why if it's still on then, it's going to stay on...I go to bed about that time.