Trying not to freak! -40°F!

[592784]

Why do I live in Iowa?

Saturday and Sunday, we'll be lucky to get above -5°F, regular temperatures. Sunday, our HIGH will be real feel of -25°F. Overnights, -40° 's, real feel!

I've increased ventilation, added insulation in the coop along the walls next to the roost bars hoping that adding a layer between the hens and the exterior wall will help. I also put a double layer of flannel in front of the windows. I'll turn the shavings this afternoon, add some more and hope for the best. Brrrrrr.

I live in Texas, the only time Texas is warm is in the summer when it’s a blasting 100+degrees. Otherwise, winter here in west texas can be brutal. Although our temps here won’t be as low as Iowa’s, it’ll be in single digits this weekend. I currently have a heat lamp which doesn’t seem to do any good. So starting tonight, I will put my 3 girls in a kennel, inside the garage and turn on a space heater. I don’t want them to be too hot, but I don’t want them freezing to death. This is their first year being on earth so they are experiencing cold for the first time.

 

[592784]

I thought we had it bad here in ohio with the temps in the single digits LOL! I just drove to Iowa for a puppy recently and wow it was brutal

I’m originally from Ohio and the winters here in Texas are far worse than Ohio. I couldn’t believe it when I moved here. We don’t get the snow accumulation that Ohio or Iowa does because it’s desert here but we get the constant wind, freezing rain and cold temps. My mom lives in Ohio and when I look at temps there, it’s usually warmer. Some of my husband’s family live in Iowa and Nebraska and they suffer from the cold

 

[MissMonty]

I’m originally from Ohio and the winters here in Texas are far worse than Ohio. I couldn’t believe it when I moved here. We don’t get the snow accumulation that Ohio or Iowa does because it’s desert here but we get the constant wind, freezing rain and cold temps. My mom lives in Ohio and when I look at temps there, it’s usually warmer. Some of my husband’s family live in Iowa and Nebraska and they suffer from the cold

Crazy! I didn't know that! The big issue with where I am is the wind. The temps usually look fine but then you end up at like -20 when you include wind chill.

 

[KLEChickens]

I feel the same! I'm in MN real temp is -25 without windchill .... I have my chickens locked in their insulated, but unheated coop. I bring them eggs and oatmeal in the AM, hot water 3x a day to drink(I take it out with me but make sure everyone has a drink) and then some scratch before bedtime. Their water is outside in their unwrapped run in a heated dish.... can't wait for next week when we hit 20s and 30s

 

[artsvarc]

I feel the same! I'm in MN real temp is -25 without windchill .... I have my chickens locked in their insulated, but unheated coop. I bring them eggs and oatmeal in the AM, hot water 3x a day to drink(I take it out with me but make sure everyone has a drink) and then some scratch before bedtime. Their water is outside in their unwrapped run in a heated dish.... can't wait for next week when we hit 20s and 30s

Tomorrow will for sure be an oatmeal morning for the ladies. Heatwave next week!!

 

[mamajos]

Isn’t Minnesota fun?!?!?! I must be a bit south of you, @KLEChickens. Just a few degrees warmer than you—

 

[KLEChickens]

Isn’t Minnesota fun?!?!?! I must be a bit south of you, @KLEChickens. Just a few degrees warmer than you—

Idk why I live here haha... I here 50s are coming in a couple weeks!!

 

[mamajos]

Misery loves company??? Haha. 50° F would be amazing. I’ll have to check the forecast!!!

 

[NatJ]

Tomorrow will for sure be an oatmeal morning for the ladies.

I would do chicken food + water, instead of using oats.
The chickens seem to like it just as well, and it's better balanced nutritionally. (Also quicker to make, because you don't have to cook it. Just add warm or hot water to the feed, and make sure it's a safe temperature so they don't burn their mouths.)

And if you have trouble with water freezing, it really helps to have a second waterer: one can be thawing in the house while they are drinking from the other one until it freezes over.

 

[mamajos]

I can second the chickens liking their chicken food with water added. I give it to them in the morning, and just before roost time, so I know they have a full crop to last the cold nights. I stand there while they eat a bunch of it, and take it away after, if there is any left, so it doesn’t freeze. Good stuff!!!