WHAT IS THE COLDEST TEMP MY 8 WEEK OLDS CAN HANDLE RIGHT NOW?

[Fawn and Fam]

Due to cold weather my 2 eight week old pullets have been in their coop for only 4 days now (the coldest it has been for them at night is 58 degrees F). I live in Michigan and starting tomorrow night it is about ready to dip into the 40's & high 30's for the next week at least. They are in a preowned tractor coop that isn't any warmer in the coop than the outside temp. Also it has way too much ventilation for 2 small birds: ventilation around the top, some midway ventilation on east side and cracks along the bottom of doors on west side due to poor construction. We purchased it just to get us by until their "properly done coop" is ready by fall. At what temp Fahrenheit should I bring them inside at night or even daytime if too cold?

 

[khoe]

I am anxiously awaiting the answers you get! I have two 8 week old pullets as well, and they have been in the coop two nights getting as low as 57. It is my understanding they would be ok in low temps so long as they aren't in a draft.

 

[Fawn and Fam]

That is my concern, I feel it is way too drafty.

 

[khoe]

Could you patch up some of the drafts easily? Even with just small scraps of wood.

 

[happylittlehens]

I would suggest closing off the drafts as much as possible. Even just putting up some cardboard would help tremendously! At 8 weeks they should be pretty much feathered out and will huddle together to keep warm. They will probably be fine, but having only 2 chicks, I imagine it wouldn't be too hard to bring them in if it will get near freezing. Just use your best judgement.

 

[khoe]

I would suggest closing off the drafts as much as possible. Even just putting up some cardboard would help tremendously! At 8 weeks they should be pretty much feathered out and will huddle together to keep warm. They will probably be fine, but having only 2 chicks, I imagine it wouldn't be too hard to bring them in if it will get near freezing. Just use your best judgement.

Cardboard is a great idea. Before mine went in the coop they had outgrown their brooder so I had them in a dog crate with just cardboard for protection from the wind and they did fine.

 

[SobbaChickens]

How about a tarp?

 

[Fawn and Fam]

My hubby fixed the drafts

. Now I just need to know the very coldest temp in Fahrenheit that 2 eight 1/2- nine week old pullets should be in (since their tractor coop is the same temp as outdoors).

 

[Fred's Hens]

If they are safe and cozy, they could handle below freezing temps. given that they have an opportunity to adjust to those temps. Our 6 week old birds experience night time temps in the 20's and couldnt' care less. They just snuggle into the straw.

Temps that low are getting rarer, as June is about upon us here in North America.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Here are our 8 week old chicks out their chicken tractor. Their shed is three sided. Open air, facing south. They've already seen temps as low as 25 last week. No problems at all. But then, I start weening them at 4 weeks. Gradually decreasing the heat supplement until at 6 weeks, that's it.