Temperature

[Daddy Benjamin]

Still ill working on completing a coop for chickens. I have 7 Guinea fowl, and 10 New Hampshire Reds. Facing 32° temperatures right now. I know I put the carriage before the horse. Without a coop, at what temperature should I become concerned about chickens being outside. I live in north central Florida, so I never stays cold very long. Thinking I am going to make some temp box huts for them, or something. How concerned should I be?

 

[rosemarythyme]

(I don't have experience with guineas so answering strictly for chickens) How old are your birds? Assuming they're not very young chicks, with your temperatures, they really just need a protected area to roost/sleep in at night. That can be as simple as a roof and a wall or two around some perches, to protect from rain and winds.

 

[Daddy Benjamin]

(I don't have experience with guineas so answering strictly for chickens) How old are your birds? Assuming they're not very young chicks, with your temperatures, they really just need a protected area to roost/sleep in at night. That can be as simple as a roof and a wall or two around some perches, to protect from rain and winds.

There is a correction. WeatherBug failed me (what's new). Temps are supposed to be low 50's. Still doesn't change the fact that temperature is dropping. My chickens are about four and a half, 5 months old. They have all of their adult feathers . The issue is, I have no coop, yet. Only tarp and a cage they can get on to get out of the dirt. They roost on top of it. My concern was, how cold does it have to get outside before I need to go panic mode. Also, they are in a protective cage to keep predators out. It is completely enclosed on all sides with wire mess. I got at least that done for them

 

[saysfaa]

From mostly reading about when other people start having issues and when they have no issues. And what people have seen chickens do when they have a choice (and whether their choices worked well.) And partly from one winter of experience with my chickens...

Assuming they have good ventilation... at the very least, 1 square foot (1000 sq cm) per bird all the time, especially when it is cold or damp.

45F (7C) to start being a little concerned but not panicked. So, check that the tarp is deflecting most of the wind and rain away from them if it is a strong wind or moderate or heavier rain. I would want them to have such a place at any temperature but it starts needing to be available at about this temp.

35F (2C) to reach urgency in checking they have a dry place away from a strong wind to go to if they want to.

I'm not sure where the panic threshold is; their outer feathers are surprisingly weatherproof. If they are soaked to the skin, it is a higher temp than if they are dry or only somewhat damp. If there is enough wind to part their feathers and they can't get out of that wind, then it is a higher temp. Days on end vs a few hours of less than ideal exposure, than it is a higher temp. If they have some sort of health issue going on, it is a higher number. If more than one of these, it is a higher number than if only one.

 

[3KillerBs]

Without a coop, at what temperature should I become concerned about chickens being outside.

Also, they are in a protective cage to keep predators out. It is completely enclosed on all sides with wire mess. I got at least that done for them

Define "coop".

Photos of your current setup?

This is Camp Cockerel, a holding pen for cull birds: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/camp-cockerel.77789/ I have 5, 16-week boys out there right now as we're getting our first frost and I'm not the least bit concerned about them.

With a fresh tarp over the top where Ian wore some holes from friction against the supports and a little more coverage to block swirling winds on the other two sides (leaving them partially open for ventilation, I could expect to safely keep birds in there during even the worst storms that winter might throw at the NC Sandhills.

This is my big, Open Air coop during our worst storm last winter: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/open-air-coop-in-the-snow.1508695/

 

[rosemarythyme]

IMO It's only an issue when you get down to freezing, and even then that doesn't mean they need to be "enclosed" - it's just more crucial at that point that they have somewhere they can shelter out of rain and wind. They can't hold heat against their bodies if they're soaked to the bone or being hit with enough wind that their feathers are ruffling.

 

[Brooks_]

My concern was, how cold does it have to get outside before I need to go panic mode.

Hi neighbor,

I focus more on wind direction and speed when it is actually around freezing. You are fine for now.