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

[silkiechicken]

Frost bite leading to the loss of an extremity does not cause sterility in roosters.

Cutting off combs such as in dubing also does not cause sterility in roosters.

Of course, if it is cold enough and moisture is an issue leading to frost bite, heat as one deems necessary as that will both increase temperature and lower relative humidy, the two items that contribute the most to frost bite.

For my flock, no heat added, sleeping under a TARP in an open run by choice in the damp PNW... and never a single issue with frost bite. I don't add heat and they don't choose to go inside. HOWEVER I also don't raise seramas or naked neck birds. The silkies do just fine too under all their fluff. If one has sub zero temps and negative wind chills, they might consider twice before buying a flock of leghorns with 2-3 inch tall combs. Some breeds do better than others in cold weather. I chose a rose comb cochin x as my flock rooster. No worries about not having enough feathers or having a comb sticking out to get frost bit.

 

[geebs]

Sorry... have to disagree... Loss of the comb... the means of cooling blood CAN result in sterility... Not worth the risk...any damage to the comb can lead to permanent or temporary sterility and in a breeding program.. .. should be considered.

 

[silkiechicken]

That is true though, living in conditions that are severe enough to cause frost bite of the comb, or even just plain discomfort can greatly reduce the fertility rate of roosters in the winter. I mean, not even male ducks go after the girls when it gets cold. LOL And those things are vicious.

 

[ellieroo]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

Quote:
Um.... because they can? And have for years.

but that was mans idea not theirs.Why force the adaptation on a species that was meant by nature to be warm??!!

 

[geebs]

Silkiechicken... A damaged comb can render a male sterile... Living conditions optimal.. so you are saying the cold is why they are sterile??? hmmmm isn't that a reason for a breeder to put up light/heat source???

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
Last winter we had an unexpected drop in temps... went from +30F to -16F overnight. 0F in the breeder coop WITH the light and EVERY rooster, and even some of the hens, got frostbite on their combs before I even knew they were cold. A couple of them to the point where they lost half of the tips of their points. One rooster lost part of his comb two years in a row. I hatched over 1000 chicks this last year with these roosters... fertility was fine.

Fertility goes down in the winter, but I think it's mostly because it's not mating season and the roosters don't really care. Though there's plenty of activity out in the yard today!

I'm just sayin'. We've been down to -7F without heat, and without the extra moisture that it generates, I have not had any issues with frostbite yet. Now, when we get down to -35F or colder (which we're expecting this year) I will keep an eye on the birds and watch the weather report like a hawk and maybe add some heat then.

 

[geebs]

Do you have large combed birds??? My marans suffered a not as severe drop but it did affect fertility and in some it was lasting... some had little affect... I had heard of this before from breeders and I am going to have to kindly dissagree... A loss of fertility of any kind just won't do.. whether it is bitterly cold being the culprit or frostbite... It makes no difference.. Loss of fertility to stress of cold or stress of injury is still the same result... A light/heat source just simply solves the problem.

Try and stay warm AKABIRDBRAIN... that is bitter..You will have to post some spring pictures... Frostbitten chickens makes you feel like a really lousy person!!! I felt so aweful when I had to treat toes and combs...... They have all pretty much recovered, however there is lasting effects.. the loss of toes on a male means he can't balance for mating... and the hens they can't scratch as effectively.. Just saying.. Some ppl may be able to get away with it... I live in the PNW and it is MILD here and yet I still suffered from frostbitten combs... smaller breeds or heavier feathered breeds are better suited for the cold.. I think a person has to look at what their personal birds can take.. I had never had problems with cochins (heavy feathered) yet the marans with tight close to the body feathers didn't fair as well... Side by side the cochins had no issue.

 

[gallinamama]

thank you so much for this post. I was so worried that it would be too cold for my chickens. I did however put plastic around the run but I left a few openings for ventilation. I haven't recieved much help from my Husband so I am doing a lot of this on my own... although I finally got him to go out back and help me put on some plywood on top of the run and I put a heavyduty tarp on it.. this way the snow and rain will keep out of the run in the winter.. maybe next year I will find someone to help me build a proper run. One that I don't bump my head on the doorway every day!!

thankyou again.. It makes me feel so much better.. I was going out to buy a solar power strip.. I still might so I can have a light out back and maybe a heater for the one water tin. I found a few different sizes at the Tractor Supply.

 

[prairiepearls]

Quote:
Um.... because they can? And have for years.

but that was mans idea not theirs.Why force the adaptation on a species that was meant by nature to be warm??!!

That may be, but the adaptation has ALREADY taken place with all our major breeds. Many of them would suffer from the heat if put back into the SE Asian jungle their remote ancestors thrived in.

 

[HorizonSon]

Quote:
I am only saying anything, because I want to make sure correct information is shared. The warmer the air, the greater its potential to hold moisture. Once air gets to sub-freezing temperatures, the moisture "falls" out of it. Thus; your birds are safer in 25 degree weather, in high moisture areas like here in the PNW, than they are in 35 degree weather... Many of us folks here in the PNW have a screwed understanding of these dynamics; because its always bloody 99% humidity! (Especially here on the coast)

People don't tan here; we simple acquire a nice "rust", lol