Will my chickens survive their first winter?

[City Farmer Jim]

Did you escape Metro Detroit too?!
I went to FL for about 8 months, then ran back to MI, but West Coast.

Got out before Mr Kilpatrick ran it completely into the ground. I was from the Port Huron area where the lake meets the river.

 

[RobertaD1]

Yeah but I don't have to shovel Sunshine here lol

You... are very correct!!!! LOL!
But being at the beginning of that magical journey all women must take, these 90 degree days are just about to cause me to burst into flames...LOL!!!! I am looking forward to some snow.

 

[chickengangg]

I use a heated base inside coops. It needs electricity.View attachment 2254999
And rubber bowls outside.View attachment 2255002
Yes, the water freezes in the rubber bowl, but not as fast as a metal or plastic container and you can hit it against a rock, building or drop on the ground to remove ice.
Don't fill to brim, stop about an inch below.
If there's a breeze it will freeze quickly if filled to brim.

There are heated plastic waterers for chickens and heated dog bowls, I've never used them. GC

Thank you for the pix ! Very helpful advice too

 

[chickengangg]

TN weather will feel pretty nice to your chickens. Does it get below freezing very much? They will still be fine, but need to take care of the water.

Recently no it can get a little below 20 at times

 

[chickengangg]

I got my first day old Chicks 4 years ago the end of March. They survived below zero Fahrenheit temps just fine in a well ventilated raised coop.View attachment 2255866
January 6, 2017.View attachment 2255871
February 26, 2017. Enjoying a natural snow cone.

I got day old Barred Rocks August 17, 2018
January 31, 2019, was 3F in coop, Below 0F outside.View attachment 2255891.View attachment 2255892. They were cozy inside, but decided to go outside after stuffing their crop.View attachment 2255889
Notice I have tarp surrounding the pen. GC

Ive owned chickens before but only for harvesting and i was too young to fully recall. We bought some chicks this March, i’m worried about how they will be accustomed to Tennessee weather. I’m sure they will be just fine with a good ventilated coop and probably cuddling for body heat but i would like to hear the input of others. I live north of middle Tennessee of that makes a difference. Thanks

This is there coop right now im thinking of adding a run just for fun. Their roost is leveled to wired window, should i cover it with a tarp incase of breeze ?

 

[rosemarythyme]

This is there coop right now im thinking of adding a run just for fun. Their roost is leveled to wired window, should i cover it with a tarp incase of breeze ?

Tarp or some other buffer probably isn't a bad idea in case of winter storms, just make sure to not put it tight over the vent, as you still need it good ventilation in winter to allow moist air to escape.

 

[RobertaD1]

You can use a painter's plastic tarp ... it's not clear, but it will allow light to pass through. I get it on a roll...and it lasts for half of forever. I put it on the north and west sides of the run in winter to cut the "breeze".

 

[RobertaD1]

Oh.. it's not the flimsy one.. the heavy duty one

 

[GC-Raptor]

This is there coop right now im thinking of adding a run just for fun. Their roost is leveled to wired window, should i cover it with a tarp incase of breeze ?

You want to keep out the weather and no breeze blowing across the chickens roost.
I would block half of each vent directly above the roosts and put an awning over the other half to keep out wind blown rain and snow.
All the vents and windows on my coops are on opposite side of roosts. . GC

 

[MommA2K]

I use a heated dog dish outside -- that I set inside an upturned 5 gallon bucket that I cut an arch into (to protect from snow) -- it works to keep the water from freezing over.

I’m a very visual person you don’t happen to have a picture of your setup do you?