Very cold coop

[vantain]

Morning! I know chickens are great insulators and can deal with cold temperatures but it shocked me to see that it was only 26° F inside their coop when I opened the pop door at 0645 (was 22 outside). There should be no drafts on them. Plenty of ventilation. It's a coop built into the corner of an unheated, uninsulated pole barn, 16 ft L x 5 ft W x roughly 8 ft tall. Ceiling is open to the slanting rafters but covered with chicken wire. I am deep littering but possibly started the process later than I should have. Our flock of 7 turned 10 months old yesterday, so this is their second winter with us, but we only finished building the coop in our new barn this summer. We are in southeastern WI where temps easily dip into the teens, single digits and sometimes lower in winter.

Do you think I need to do something for insulation? I would prefer not to use heat sources in there. Or perhaps I'm just overreacting... Your thoughts are appreciated!

Cheers,
Heather

I'm near to you in southeastern Minnesota. Here was the temperature (-30) IN THE COOP, during that very cold polar vortex in January 2019. That was from a temperature sensor sitting just above their roost. The actual outside temperature was -35. No heat, and no insulation. The hens did fine. They even spent the entire day out in their run, where it never got above -22. I don't know how they do it, but they do.

 

[hagoesch]

I'm near to you in southeastern Minnesota. Here was the temperature (-30) IN THE COOP, during that very cold polar vortex in January 2019. That was from a temperature sensor sitting just above their roost. The actual outside temperature was -35. No heat, and no insulation. The hens did fine. They even spent the entire day out in their run, where it never got above -22. I don't know how they do it, but they do.
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I went to graduate school at the University and am well familiar with *actual* temperatures in the negative teens and twenties! It always surprised me the weather extremes in the Twin Cities from season to season. That sure is a hardy flock you have! Do you have really cold-tolerant breeds? Thanks for sharing this!

 

[vantain]

I went to graduate school at the University and am well familiar with *actual* temperatures in the negative teens and twenties! It always surprised me the weather extremes in the Twin Cities from season to season. That sure is a hardy flock you have! Do you have really cold-tolerant breeds? Thanks for sharing this!

When that picture was taken, I had four ISA Brown hens. They all made it through that first winter. I lost one in the spring of 2019, and the remaining three sailed through this past winter as well. Then again, I lost another one back in May. The remaining two ISA Browns will be going through this winter with some new pullets. Joining the original two ISAs, are two Buff Orpington, two RIR, and 4 Barred Rock, one of which is a cockerel. Same coop, bigger run this year. From what I've read, all the breeds I have are cold hardy. They are also all quite a bit larger than my ISA Brown hens...especially one of my Orpingtons who is a colossal pullet!

Now, the ISAs didn't come out of that first winter unscathed. They all lost the points of their combs. I don't believe there was anything I could do to avoid that, not when the temperatures get as cold as they do here. I'm a bit worried for my cockerel, and his massive comb and wattles. Poor guy, he's going to have a new look by spring.

 

[hagoesch]

When that picture was taken, I had four ISA Brown hens. They all made it through that first winter. I lost one in the spring of 2019, and the remaining three sailed through this past winter as well. Then again, I lost another one back in May. The remaining two ISA Browns will be going through this winter with some new pullets. Joining the original two ISAs, are two Buff Orpington, two RIR, and 4 Barred Rock, one of which is a cockerel. Same coop, bigger run this year. From what I've read, all the breeds I have are cold hardy. They are also all quite a bit larger than my ISA Brown hens...especially one of my Orpingtons who is a colossal pullet!

Now, the ISAs didn't come out of that first winter unscathed. They all lost the points of their combs. I don't believe there was anything I could do to avoid that, not when the temperatures get as cold as they do here. I'm a bit worried for my cockerel, and his massive comb and wattles. Poor guy, he's going to have a new look by spring.

I'm not too familiar with ISA Browns but upon searching, beautiful birds! A nice mix you have. Our six hens were actually part of a "mystery" cold-hardy assortment we purchased as day-old chicks in late January. I am positive that Crocus is a Cream Crested Legbar, Snowdrop is a Favaucana and Pat is an Easter Egger; the other three... my guess is that the two dark grey sisters are Olive Eggers and all-black Mini with a good comb is (maybe?) a Maran-Isbar cross(??)... who knows. The cockerel we knew the breed upon purchasing, a Buff Brahma. He has a rose comb but big wattles that, like you say, will probably look anew come spring. He also has feathered feet which I'm concerned about in the cold and wet. Good luck to all of our chickens this winter!