When is it too cold for a chicken?

[kstaven]

Just for reference. It is -25 and I have hens roosting outside of their own free will!

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
I don't know how they stay alive in that... I really don't.

 

[gone chicken crazy]

Just a detail question that I haven't been able to find the answer to.
What is the difference between "Draft" and "Ventilation" ?
I have a 6x7' shed we converted to a coop with two 2x2' windows with slates about 3 feet of the ground. I have a man door that I leave open each morning/day and close at night. There are 4 roosts at various heights that they use, but most of them sleep cuddled on the floor (pine bedding). I have a heat lamp to add a little heat (it is 25 degrees today.)
My girls are 13 weeks old and seem to be doing fine. However, we wanted to add a "door" for them to go in and out of as they want to without having the mandoor open. I am afraid that will create a 'draft', so I wanted to find out my options. Any ideas?

 

[SewingDiva]

Quote:
I've been thinking about this as well, and I think a "vestibule" may solve my problem (this is a top view looking down):

There would not be an actual door that closed so they could go in an out at will, and the opening into the coop from the vestibule would be only big enough for a chicken.

Of course I'd need to build a whole new coop to do this

!

Phyllis

 

[Beau coop]

Debo's Chickens :

I got the insulation put in. It looks like bubble wrap sandwiched between 2 sheets of aluminum foil. I put it on the roof & walls in the main part of the upper coop. Problem is, now the chickens won't go upstairs! I guess they're afraid of the new shiny stuff???? We only have an hour of daylight left . . . .

Love your coop! Did you design that or was it a kit?

I put insulation in my coop also- they pecked and ate the shiny side. I turned to the matte side and they left it alone. Hope they dont have trouble passing the stuff!​

 

[digitS']

Got my own private Idaho . . .

(I'd forgotten all about that movie. Had some problems with it since it was set mostly in Portland, OR and the characters . . . )

I put 35 Brahma chicks in my greenhouse one year. When they got tall enuf to reach above the concrete foundation, they began pulling the aluminum foil sheet off the insulation board and eating the foam.
I had to cover the lower part of the wall with plastic film and then they got up on the tables and began eating the walls up there

. You'd think Brahmas would be smarter than this . . .

I don't think it hurt them physically but maybe - - they were the slowest growing chickens I've ever raised.

Steve​

 

[chickorama]

If they get cold, they huddle together to keep warm. They won't lay many eggs in the cold, but they will be fine.

 

[gone chicken crazy]

Thank you, SewingDiva! I was thinking of something like that, too. I could cut a door into the side of my coop, then build a 3 sided "tunnel" that will act as the Vestibule. I like it!

 

[Debo's Chickens]

Quote:
Love your coop! Did you design that or was it a kit?

I put insulation in my coop also- they pecked and ate the shiny side. I turned to the matte side and they left it alone. Hope they dont have trouble passing the stuff!

A guy local here raises chickens & builds coops & sells them on craigslist. I found him there & bought the coop already assembled.

I'll have to watch & see if the chickens start pecking the shiny stuff! I thought about that. Both sides are shiny, so I'd have to cover it if it turned out to be a problem.

 

[Beau coop]

digitS' :

Got my own private Idaho . . .

(I'd forgotten all about that movie. Had some problems with it since it was set mostly in Portland, OR and the characters . . . )

I put 35 Brahma chicks in my greenhouse one year. When they got tall enuf to reach above the concrete foundation, they began pulling the aluminum foil sheet off the insulation board and eating the foam.
I had to cover the lower part of the wall with plastic film and then they got up on the tables and began eating the walls up there

. You'd think Brahmas would be smarter than this . . .

I don't think it hurt them physically but maybe - - they were the slowest growing chickens I've ever raised.

Steve​

Ahh yes- the movie was, shall we say, unique...

I prefer the alternative association: To live in a utopian world of your own imagination.​