Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

[Mrs MIA]

My husband will be the first to let anyone know that I went through all the doubts and misgivings in the beginning, too.

Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and learn for yourself what works and what doesn't.

But if this thread helps calm some of those doubts in others, then I'm glad I started it.

There are people in MUCH colder areas than mine that still do not heat their coops. I don't just leave them to their own devices, but I don't coddle them either.
Now, when it gets down to -40F, my gut may override my brain...

But I'm going to hold out as long as possible before adding anything.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I'm fascinated that people, let alone chickens, survive in these temperatures!! I'm glad I read these posts. I guess I won't worry too much that my coop has gotten down to 37.8 degrees. I'm in San Diego and I have an insulated coop

But seriously, the main reason we did that is because of the heat and we'd like to use the building for a shop one day when we don't have chickens.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Funnier yet is this San Diegan living in Alaska! I grew up with chickens in SD, and we had a little tiny coop for them, but not insulated at all. I don't remember them all getting out of the rain, even. They just huddled under trees. Seriously, you'll have more trouble from the heat and humidity. Keeping them cool is key.

 

[saym]

I was thinking about getting on here today.. I am in Elko Nv which is very close to south west idaho and fairly similar to Wyoming..(we just had some friends move there,we compare wx reports..I am not able to keep my run free of snow and part of the coop has snow also..so I have been putting pine shavings in the coop..just thick enough that they aren't walking on solid snow..this is packing down really nicely..and they seem to be comfortable with it..they still have cold feet though, but now they venture out in the run which is compacted snow and get on the pallet I have set up where they get optimal sun and heat. They also go under the a-frame and try to dust in the frozen dirt like someone else was saying! I feel bad that I don't have a covered run, but it's already too late to even imagine staying ahead of the snow on this! It's going to be a long winter here..after the initial -11 days it hasn't gotten over 24 degrees here..so I think we are in for the long haul..anyway. the girls will get tired of being cooped up and hopefully will get acclimated..just like me..I am just getting used to this temperature now.and we understand the seasons..these poor creatures are new to the world and don't have a clue what in the heck is going on.
Somethibg that has helped me toughen up towards the girls is that we have a covey of quail moving into the yard..they are totally oblivious to cold..and if you watch them now, they act just like chickens! or do chickens act like quail!? I think all ground birds have similar habits...so let them figure it out...they are afterall..individuals...

Thanks, you guys, in Alaska!

 

[HorizonSon]

Quote:
Blasphemy!!!

 

[nelgkel]

 

[Delmar]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

...I remember having trouble finding red bulbs, too... maybe a red plastic cover... no, then you'd block the heat...

That shouldn't matter. Blocking the heat does not eliminate the heat, it just contains it longer. It would take longer, after the light is turned on, to start warming the coop, and keep warming for a little longer after the light is turned off, but all of the heat created by the light will get out into the coop eventually.​

 

[mjgigax]

Quote:
I l lived in San Diego, for 8 years; in military housing on Coronado Island's Silver Strand. It was a lucky accident to live on the beach but we loved to go to the Mountains and never missed a chance to see snow in Julian.
My 8 week old Cochins are the first one out of the coop every morning. i thas only been below freezing twice here so far this winter. It is the heat that is more of a problem.

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

Thanks, Alaska people for posting! We have not put up our red bulb because of you. Now our Silkie hen and our EE hen have fine, thick, downy coats. They are beautiful!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I keep a thermometer in the brooder room and in the Silkie/Cochin shed. I check it every day and see what the birds are doing at certain temps. Granted, I a not in a really cold climate but these birds were hatched and raised here, mostly. The thing they hate the worst is the wind. And they aren't too keen about getting out on the snow much but they will.

I hatch chicks all year around and just try to keep the wind off of them. The chicks are in the brooder room but I had water to freeze up in there last winter when I had extra bottles on the floor. If any chicks died I felt they were pushed away from the light or had something wrong with them. I try not to coddle too much but the chicks do have 100 wt light bulbs in their brooders.
My adult birds get no heat lamps at all. I get tickled when I read that on some local lists but understand the concern.