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

[toofarout]

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Where are you?

It gets below 0 here and always high humidity. My BOs have no trouble. Small combs are better.
I have big combed birds, anconas, minorcas and others and had little frostbite.
As much ventilation as possible and no added heat.

One of the best birds for cold is the Jaerhon. Compact birds with small combs and wattles bred for Norwegian winters.
JGs, Rocks and Wyandottes have no problem either.

ChickenCanoe, I live NorthWest of Fairbanks, Alaska. Ester Dome blocks all sun for at least 2 months (for me), and limits it greatly during the other winter months. And up here we don't get much sun in the winter anyways.

 

[toofarout]

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Frostbite, I guess I'll find out this winter what the chickens do or don't do! Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised, that will be nice. Ester Dome and that whole ridge system totally block every speck of sun for me, and plus on top of that I'm down in the valley where the cold air pools. It sure is pretty though.
(Fairbanks, Alaska)

 

[Mrs MIA]

Hi there!

The rose comb or pea combed breeds do MUCH better with the frostbite.

The Chanteclers will do much better than the Orpingtons, because of it. But when it gets really cold, put some vaseline on their combs to insulate from the moisture and cold, and they'll do much better. Keep the moisture down in the coop, too, to help.

 

[cravenchx]

I'm so glad I read this.
It can get cold here in NC, but
jeez, God made the cold, and God
made chickens, so I think they will
be fine. Now, if they were babies
that might be different.

 

[toofarout]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

Hi there!

The rose comb or pea combed breeds do MUCH better with the frostbite.

The Chanteclers will do much better than the Orpingtons, because of it. But when it gets really cold, put some vaseline on their combs to insulate from the moisture and cold, and they'll do much better. Keep the moisture down in the coop, too, to help.

Thanks! I have vaseline. I still need to buy one of those drill bits that makes big holes for the vent. Then I''ll do the vent(s). ​

 

[jeepguy982001]

I've always heard good vents and no hit lamps. Something about chickens gettin used to the warmth and if the power goes out then they'll freeze.

 

[frostbite]

Welcome, toofarout! Glad to know there's another Fairbanksan in the community. Ester Dome does cast a shadow!

Are you planning on getting chicks in spring? May see you at Alaska Feed....

Remember the ravens and chickadees....They neither toil nor spin, nor have nice chicken coops, but they fluff out their down coats and do just fine. Ventilation and a wind break, and free access to plenty of food, and a light on 14 hours a day to keep 'em laying is my plan. The chickens, even without heat, will have it nice compared to the wild birds!

How 'bout them winter ducks on the Chena!

 

[toofarout]

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Hi frostbite! If it goes well this winter with the 10 pullets I have now I probably will get more chicks next spring. And since I'm at AK Feed so very often you probably will see me there!

 

[vclark321]

Great thread! I had decided I was not going to add heat or extra light to my coop and just let the chickens do their thing. Already the days are shorter and the girls are going to bed about 6:30pm instead of 9:30pm at the height of summer. No drop in egg production and if it does happen then, ok. I am good with that. I know we like to transfer our feelings onto our chickens. (ie, I am cold, therefore they must be cold too) Well, if the ducks can handle swimming in the lake and walking across the ice, the chickens can handle their coop just fine. Everyone here is just so darn smart! I am one lucky gal to have stumbled across this site! Thank you!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

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Wow, I didn't know your were way up there. At least we get sun in the winter.

If you have a successful winter and get more next year I'd still recommend you consider Jaerhons, Chanteclers and Swedish Flower Hens.