Wind chill doesn’t count, right?

[Lulu-vt]

It’s going to be -20 to -40 where I live this weekend. But that’s with windchill. If the chickens are in a coop, that doesn’t count, right?

I know it’s a silly question but I’m worried all the same.

I’ve had a hen lose her feet due to frostbite - 10 years ago and in a different situation…but it still haunts me.

I have good ventilation. It’s been fine but maybe close it up for a couple of days? I’m pretty sparse on bedding currently. I have stall pellets and they’re hard to manage in the winter.

I need to moisten them inside the house so they fluff. Then wait for them to dry before putting into the coop. I won’t have time to add more before the arctic front comes.

 

[nuthatched]

Can you use shaving instead this time?

 

[kattabelly]

Is there a reason you wet then dry the pellets to break them down before using them? I've always just used them as they are.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I've noticed my house feels colder when it's windy. The thermostat keeps up, but the wind is likely blowing the warmth away, which makes everything feel so much worse. I imagine something similar happens in the coop. The chickens will generate heat while huddled together, but any warmth they add to the general space will dissipate faster due to the wind.

 

[BoundlessLove]

Do you have any hay you can put down for them?
We use hay. Also, we do not keep water in the coop during the winter.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Do you have any hay you can put down for them?
We use hay. Also, we do not keep water in the coop during the winter.

I'd advise against the use of hay, especially if the chickens are not used to having it in their area. Straw is a better choice as it has shorter and less stingy pieces so is less likely to cause crop impaction.

 

[BoundlessLove]

I'd advise against the use of hay, especially if the chickens are not used to having it in their area. Straw is a better choice as it has shorter and less stingy pieces so is less likely to cause crop impaction.

We’ve used it for years with no issues for all of our poultry.
But we use a good quality hay.
Straw being less available here.

 

[StinkyAcres]

We’ve used it for years with no issues for all of our poultry.
But we use a good quality hay.
Straw being less available here.

I used it for a long time too. I just find that if there is no grass for them to eat in the winter they start trying to eat the hay and that can be bad.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

have good ventilation. It’s been fine but maybe close it up for a couple of days

No, don't do that! As long as it's not blowing ON the birds, ventilation is necessary. It blows condensation (moisture) away, and moisture is what causes frostbite. It also blows away ammonia which is toxic. It builds up from the chicken's breathing and also from waste breaking down on the coop floor. Ventilation is GOOD. Ideally you want one square foot of ventilation per bird, above their heads when roosting.