Wind chill doesn’t count, right?

[Shelleyfitz]

The wind doesn't count for temps if the coop is not drafty. If it is, some of our northern folks say they use filter material over the vents to reduce drafts without trapping moisture and ammonia.
Last week we had a cold spell (it actually felt like winter in FL) down to about 20f. It was horrible, I had to wear socks. Anyway, it was a terrible wind that blew all that free AC down from the frozen tundra. We put tarps on the open sides of our 3 walled coops. As the wind was coming from that direction I sealed it up as tight as I could. But on the other walls, left the upper ventilation untouched. The direction wind is coming from matters a lot, if you can pinpoint it.

" I had to wear socks"

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Last week we had a cold spell (it actually felt like winter in FL) down to about 20f. It was horrible, I had to wear socks.

Good morning from Florida. Now that I'm older, I put on socks at 30, thank you. Going down to 19, maybe 17, tonight. Wind gusts 45mph+

My chickens do fine w/o heat in this, just as they did last year when we had inches of snow on the ground for weeks - and they were chosen for heat tolerance, not cold heartiness. While they have plenty of dry, draft free places to get out of the wind, some of my idiots will likely choose to roost in full view of mother nature again tonight. and not for lack of space. I have roostings under shelter in wind blocked locations for a flock 6-8x my size. They are all adult birds, of course.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

" I had to wear socks"

this was a really good line. TY for pointing it out.

 

[Shelleyfitz]

Coming out of frigid Rhode Island this morning. 0 degrees with a feel like temp of -10. I agree with everyone about not using hay or straw. If you haven't had an impacted crop yet, consider yourself lucky! I use pellet stove pellets (wood pellets) in some of my lower breed cages, I don't wet them down, just put them in as they are. The droppings do break them down in time and when I feel they are no longer absorbent enough, I clean them out and add a new bag. My buildings are not insulated, but I do cover my runs with clear marine vinyl. It gets costly, BUT, it allows the sunshine in, warms up the run, is way more sturdy than the opaque plastic bought at box stores (I have used it in a pinch though!) and sometimes at the end of the season, I am able to re-use some of it for the next year. I just unstaple it, roll it up to the top and zip tie still attached. I'm not sure exactly how much warmer it makes things but I can say that it feels a heck of a lot warmer than outside. Hoping everyone's birds stay safe!!

 

[Shelleyfitz]

Coming out of frigid Rhode Island this morning. 0 degrees with a feel like temp of -10. I agree with everyone about not using hay or straw. If you haven't had an impacted crop yet, consider yourself lucky! I use pellet stove pellets (wood pellets) in some of my lower breed cages, I don't wet them down, just put them in as they are. The droppings do break them down in time and when I feel they are no longer absorbent enough, I clean them out and add a new bag. My buildings are not insulated, but I do cover my runs with clear marine vinyl. It gets costly, BUT, it allows the sunshine in, warms up the run, is way more sturdy than the opaque plastic bought at box stores (I have used it in a pinch though!) and sometimes at the end of the season, I am able to re-use some of it for the next year. I just unstaple it, roll it up to the top and zip tie still attached. I'm not sure exactly how much warmer it makes things but I can say that it feels a heck of a lot warmer than outside. Hoping everyone's birds stay safe!!

 

[Shelleyfitz]

I know it doesn't look "clear" in the pics. It's frosted on the outside. Once the sun hits it, it'll be crystal clear. Good luck to everyone and stay warm!!

 

[Greenwolf]

Coming out of frigid Rhode Island this morning. 0 degrees with a feel like temp of -10. I agree with everyone about not using hay or straw. If you haven't had an impacted crop yet, consider yourself lucky! I use pellet stove pellets (wood pellets) in some of my lower breed cages, I don't wet them down, just put them in as they are. The droppings do break them down in time and when I feel they are no longer absorbent enough, I clean them out and add a new bag. My buildings are not insulated, but I do cover my runs with clear marine vinyl. It gets costly, BUT, it allows the sunshine in, warms up the run, is way more sturdy than the opaque plastic bought at box stores (I have used it in a pinch though!) and sometimes at the end of the season, I am able to re-use some of it for the next year. I just unstaple it, roll it up to the top and zip tie still attached. I'm not sure exactly how much warmer it makes things but I can say that it feels a heck of a lot warmer than outside. Hoping everyone's birds stay safe!!

I have been living and raising birds in Northern Alberta Canada hay and/ or straw is the absolute go to! 0 degrees F or lower is just an average winter for us, not the occasional cold snap. Good insulation is another absolute must. If it is just a cold snap for you, you can close the window or filter your ventilation holes. Frost bite is not a funny thing. I did have one case of impacted crop and it didn't and wouldn't have mattered what kind of bedding I used or didn't use. Some birds will eat anything and get their crops impacted.
But aside from that you know your weather and your birds and what works for you! I like the idea of plastic wrap around the pen. That's awesome!

 

[Shelleyfitz]

I have been living and raising birds in Northern Alberta Canada hay and/ or straw is the absolute go to! 0 degrees F or lower is just an average winter for us, not the occasional cold snap. Good insulation is another absolute must. If it is just a cold snap for you, you can close the window or filter your ventilation holes. Frost bite is not a funny thing. I did have one case of impacted crop and it didn't and wouldn't have mattered what kind of bedding I used or didn't use. Some birds will eat anything and get their crops impacted.
But aside from that you know your weather and your birds and what works for you! I like the idea of plastic wrap around the pen. That's awesome!

I'm glad it's worked for you. I also have sheep and goats here and have (way too many times) had to chase chickens around with hay hanging out of their beaks. It's just not something I would intentionally use for my birds. Maybe mine are just dumb.... it's just like anything else, if it works for your situation, go for it! Stay warm up there!!