Will the flock be okay in 0 degree temperature? Plus molting hen!

[Annalyse]

We Winter proofed everything. I know there cold because there standing around all fluffed up. Will they be okay? I also have a molting hen. Her feathers are coming back but she doesn’t have very thick ones. Will she be okay? Picture is below.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Chickens can withstand very cold temperatures, even below zero-F, and do fine. BUT they have to be DRY, protected from DRAFTS, and have access to fresh WATER. I see gaps between those boards on the walls. Is the outside covered with plastic? You do not want any air blowing in between those boards. The coop needs to have ventilation, certainly - but that air flow needs to be up high where it cannot blow directly on the birds. And to keep it dry, do not let manure build up on the floor where it can't dry out. (That may be just dirt I see on the floor there, but just in case you haven't cleaned it out in awhile, I had to mention it...) It would help to add some wood chips to the floor, a couple of inches deep, to help them stay warmer and drier. What have you done to winterize?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

She appears to have enough feathering to withstand some cold temps, as long as she's not in a draft. Does she have friends that she cuddles up with on the roost? That helps.

 

[Annalyse]

Chickens can withstand very cold temperatures, even below zero-F, and do fine. BUT they have to be DRY, protected from DRAFTS, and have access to fresh WATER. I see gaps between those boards on the walls. Is the outside covered with plastic? You do not want any air blowing in between those boards. The coop needs to have ventilation, certainly - but that air flow needs to be up high where it cannot blow directly on the birds. And to keep it dry, do not let manure build up on the floor where it can't dry out. (That may be just dirt I see on the floor there, but just in case you haven't cleaned it out in awhile, I had to mention it...) It would help to add some wood chips to the floor, a couple of inches deep, to help them stay warmer and drier. What have you done to winterize?

The gaps are a fence. Any chicken wire area we have covered with plastic. The floor of the run is just dirt yes. I’ll make sure to add more plastic and things. Thank you

 

[Annalyse]

She appears to have enough feathering to withstand some cold temps, as long as she's not in a draft. Does she have friends that she cuddles up with on the roost? That helps.

They kinda of pick on her because she’s the only one molting right now but on the roost she practically sleeps under my BO and next to her PR.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

What kind of coop setup do you have? Can you post photos, please?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Oh, and dirt is fine in the run; I thought your photo was inside the coop where it needs to have bedding, chips, leaf matter, straw, something covering the floor to absorb droppings.

 

[Annalyse]

What kind of coop setup do you have? Can you post photos, please?

These are what I found in my camera roll but the chicken wire is covered with the plastic glass stuff I can’t think of the name. And then to the left behind the fence there’s more chicken wire that is also covered. I’ve never acaully covered the fence part but in the future I definitely will

 

[Annalyse]

Oh, and dirt is fine in the run; I thought your photo was inside the coop where it needs to have bedding, chips, leaf matter, straw, something covering the floor to absorb droppings.

We’re the window is that’s wear the inside coop is. So half of it is the run and half is the coop. The window part is acually on top of the small run. We built on since having them.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

I don't think it's necessary to cover the fence part with plastic, since that's just their run - but it wouldn't hurt. It's the coop I'm concerned about and that big window. Cover the window with plastic, but leave a gap across the top, maybe 4 inches wide or so.