Yet another "is it too cold" post...opinions please??

[highcountrychickens]

Good plan with the heat lamp... (very secure of course) if they have shelter from the wind, they will be alright - mine have been fine at -35 this year with an insulated coop (doors aren't insulated) and a 100- watt bulb - but it's quite dry here so easier to deal with the cold than other places. My argument against the heat lamp is that it makes it more difficult for them to acclimatize outside during the day - but that is with the consideration of many months of very cold temps - you all are going through a short cold snap, then will likely be done with it.
Feed plenty, and maybe give them warm oatmeal (makes them happy and you feel like you're able to do something for them)

Think about a down coat, and how warm that makes you - They fluff up those feathers and roost down, covering their feet, and tuck their little necks in - they can withstand a lot without a lot of discomfort. We have little tiny chickadees that roost in our pine trees here when it's -30, and with enough fuel in the tank they do just fine... incredible to me.

Good luck, and take heart - they will be alright.

I'll be writing in with similar fretting in the summer trying to learn from those wizened with experience how to protect mine from blistering summer heat!

 

[momreda]

Quote:

You're welcome! I understand the envy, hubby and I would go on day trips out to the *country* just to dream....now being out here doesn't seem near as far as it did back then! I hope to never have to go back to the city life!

 

[jjthink]

It really depends on your birds. My roo is simply not cold tolerant - I know this as he makes it very clear (looks miserable, hunches, puffs a bit). He is heat tolerant however, and does better in the summer than any of the ladies in his company. I use a ceramic heat lamp in the winter, extremely well secured. He does better out in the daytime when he has been able to be warm/comfy at night. It's as though he is able to conserve energy to face the day. I know this goes against conventional wisdom on BYC. All day long he and his lady friend have access to the coop with the ceramic heat lamp should they want to be near it (provides heat but not light; for light I have a light bulb that gets turned off at night) . They choose. The ceramic heat lamp keeps the coop above 40 degrees (their building is inside a larger building hence why one lamp does the trick - in a prior setup where their little building was stand alone outdoors, it took 3 lamps to accomplish what one accomplishes now). Just make sure your electric set up can easily handle whatever wattage you choose. I have a timer on the lamp so that I can regulate how much it's on during the night so I don't over do or under do the heat.
JJ

 

[1stepcloser]

OK. This is just bordering on pathetic now. A couple of the girls keep showing up on the back porch looking in..standing on ONE foot. I throw out treats and they eat them then go back under....15 minutes later they play "freezing chicken" routine again. Considering it is about 10 degrees warmer today than yesterday I think they are just a bunch of good actors!

 

[JavaMom]

Hi 1step.....I am not far from you in Hopkinsville. It has been very cold for this area, and like you, I've fretted a bit over the girls. Last week, we ran an extension cord to the coop and turned on the heat lamp from their brooder. Many mornings when I go out to de-ice their water, they are indeed huddled under the lamp. However, the girls haven't hesitated to venture out into the run in the snow and frigid temps. Not to be deterred, I was even presented with my first egg this week!

 

[gsim]

Quote:
Hi poultry,

I am in E Tenn and it was 8 above zero this AM in my coop. A lot depends on the breed. What breeds do you have?

I have done no heat or artificial light either. My 24 chooks lay 20-22 eggs a day regardless. I am not going to take any steps unless it dips to somewhat below zero for my girls. Then my first step would be to cover the center-of-roof turbine vent. I do close up the coop tight at dusk. The permanent overhead ventilation takes care of the ammonia gas and there is never a draft. I do not water them inside the coop either for fear of causing humidity to increase and cause frostbite. I have BR, BA, BC, RIR, all cold-hardy and good off season layers.

 

[SilkieTime]

I'm 15 mins. from Nashville and I don't have any heat or light on and the water is good. Is your water ice? If so put a lite over it or a tin heater with bricks around it. Some more shavings.
19 now feels like 9 and most of mine are outside. Tomorrow will be like today and every day after that will be warmer for a week. So you have time to think of what you can do if it gets worse. Just keep the water from turning to ice. Keep them dry and where they can get out of the wind. Your doing fine.

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

Mrs. AKBB here...
First, observe your chickens... Are they running around the yard in the cold, or are they squatting down, fluffed up, looking miserable? If they're running around, then no worries. At those temps you should watch for signs of frostbite. That number of birds and at that age, they may have trouble conserving heat. Increase protein, add a little corn/scratch to their diet, and offer them a smaller enclosure to huddle in when they get cold. I've had birds try to roost outside at -20F, and I just go out and round them up and put them in the coop for the night. Then let them out in the morning. By then they've usually figured out that they're more comfortable inside.
Sounds like you need to build yourself a toolshed... If the chooks just happen to use it for shelter on really cold days, then oh well!

if you do decide on a heat lamp, be sure it is secured at a safe height, and covered so the birds can't touch the bulb.
Good luck!