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

[Triplell]

I hear ya, but no mater what I would never have a flame of any kind in the barn. All of my family are smokers and we don't even smoke in the barn for fear of fire.

 

[AKnewbie]

Living in AK too. Chickens are in an insulated coop but have been going out at -10. Getting 7-9 eggs out of my 9. Not providing extra heat. Not sure how much extra feed they are consuming since it's our 1st yr with chickens.

 

[bruceha2000]

No real snow yet either so we'll see how much they are willing to tolerate to get outside.

Bruce

We had some snow today (not much) and the temp was just below freezing. The only girls that didn't repeatedly follow me like a pack of puppies (hoping for treats) out into the snow from the lower part of the barn EVERY time I went in were the Anconas. Though they all gave up by the time we were half way along the upper side. At this point I can't say they LIKE snow but they don't freak either. Since they can hang in the lower part of the barn, I don't think their desire to get outside will be the same as chickens that only have a choice of "in the coop" or "outside in the snow".

Bruce

 

[vmdanielsen]

I hear ya, but no matter what I would never have a flame of any kind in the barn. All of my family are smokers and we don't even smoke in the barn for fear of fire.

I agree with you. I would never,ever put a flame in my coop. There would be NO SAFE PLACE. No matter how "safe" a hurricane lamp is considered there still is flame. People who are smoking are not allowed near our coop or barn when smoking.

 

[crayon]

I agree with the OP- people get all worked up over heat- when it is the dampness + cold temps that can be the real issue- if you have dry chickens, the cold will not bother most chickens. If you live in a cold climate, bet a cold hardy bird.

We have about 30 laying hens in the barn and 5 bantam/silkies. None have had issues. We have a mama hen in the garage with 5 babies that are a month old and they have been playing in the snow for 2 weeks outside. If they get cold Mama takes them back inside to warm them up.

We have 55 babies right now under a heat lamp and we will move them to the main coop and leave a lamp on them until they fully feather out- but they are babies and have no mama.

Chickens are chickens- they will be fine in the barn! They get close and cuddle if they need warmth. I have never lost a chicken because it got cold.

ETA: We live in Northern Michigan- we get a lot of snow. Last year our chickens were out by choice during the day unless it was a blizzard. Even if it was light snow they wanted to roam around outside. We have had about 5 inches so far this year and they have been out (by choice) as well.

 

[happyfarmer325]

I'm so glad to see this post, as we have been concerned about the cold in Central Oregon. Clearly, we have nothing to be concerned about!

We have 8 ducks and 4 chickens, and they all seem resilient enough to actually enjoy the cold and the little bit of snow we've had so far. They are 'free-range' (five acres) during the day, then have a 25ft-30ft enclosure with 3 (optional) coops for the evening. The laying has slowed down (from an egg each hen daily to about 6 total per week), understandably, but everyone seems happy and healthy. I've heard of using lamps in order to keep hens laying throughout the winter, but it sort of feels like the 'off-season' is fair as well-earned, natural break. I imagine we might feel differently if we needed to sell the eggs, but they still lay plenty for breakfast and baking.

 

[LadyKotaDoria]

I truly understand, the key word is a safe place, and I said there are negatives. When in Minnesota, in the coop turned kennels, during a very bad freeze I stayed in the coop/kennel all night, I had a small salamander that I used in my workshop and fish house. I was able to keep the temp about 35 degrees, between proper clothing and 3 dogs (180# total) I was kept comfortable, but no sleep, had to make sure the flame stayed in the salamander and that it did not get so hot to set anything on fire. (Scary night). If I was not absolutely sure that I had a safe place for a H. Lantren it can not be an option.

If the birds are healthy, and it is not absolutely needed, I would not take the risk ether.

Electric is best, I have one 15 watt solar panel. Enough to keep a 12 V deep cell battery charged up so I had a phone when on extended camping trips (4 + weeks). I hope to get an industrial deep cell battery and solar panels to keep it charged, I have a 1700 watt inverter. I have my nephew to take care of our garden, and my chickens when I am gone. Every year or two I need to revitalize. Although I have a feeling my garden, chickens and bees will eliminate that need.

 

[Triplell]

Hello everyone,
Well the temps have stabled off at 20 degrees F. Everyday we are getting a dusting of snow. My coop has been an average of 25-30 inside with only 3 heat lamps for their waters. The ducks keep laying with only the lights on for 8 hours and the hens are getting around 12 hrs of light. We have moved to the curled lights for a brighter lite with less wattage. We are using the normal curls and not the tough man ones. The tough ones have a coating of teflan that gives of a poisonous gas when heated. It seems no matter on the ventilation it will kill your poultry.

 

[mychickispedro]

I may have "pampered" my chickens so far, is it too late to stop pampering or will they have time to acclimatize?

 

[Triplell]

It will depend on where you are, If they are staying in side the coop then I would just start to reduce the amount of heat they are getting. Say if they have 2 heat lamps of 250 watts each then I would take just one of them and put in a 125 watt for about a week. Then you can reduce then 2nd one and so you can slowly get them to go without the heat or aleast very little. This is what I have done with my juniors and it has worked out great.