Why does my garage feel colder than the outside?

[Cobber]

We're expecting temps in the single digits here in Indiana for the next couple of days, so we're moving the girls into the garage temporarily. Right now it's about 28 outside, but 46 in the garage, but the garage seems colder to me. Now the garage does have a concrete floor, but we're housing the girls in a repurposed parrot flight cage about a foot off the floor. They'll be on cardboard with some shavings and 2x4s to roost on, with breathable fabric over the whole contraption. (pics incoming)

This winter business stresses me out!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Why do they need to be moved inside? Are they too young to be fully feathered, ill, oddly feathered (frizzles)...?

 

[Penpal]

The concrete floor will be close to the temperature of the ground it lies on. I have in-floor radiant heat. I'm very happy that we decided to heat the garage floor. I do not keep the garage the same temp as the house, but let it be cooler. Cooler is going to be better for your chicks than warmer. If they still have a heat source they will go to the heat source when they are chilly.

The garage blocks the wind, a big plus.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Why do they need to be moved inside? Are they too young to be fully feathered, ill, oddly feathered (frizzles)...?

Why is a good question. The more you can tell us about your chickens the more likely we can offer helpful suggestions. How old are they, how many do you have, and how are they housed outside for example.

I'm not sure you even have a question. You may be looking for assurance more than help. I don't know enough to be able to offer much.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Fully feathered chickens usually handle single digit temps no problem as long as they have somewhere dry to get out of the wind. They're wearing down coats after all!

In all seriousness, feathers make for excellent insulation against the cold. The down traps warm air against the body and as long as the wind isn't constantly blowing their feathers apart the outer feathers do a great job of keeping it there

Silkies, frizzles, and very small bantams may need additional protection from the cold such as supplemental heat. In frizzles and silkies it's because their feathers are abnormal and don't insulate as efficiently as regular feathers. Tiny bantams just don't have the body size that larger bantams or large fowl have to keep warm.