Your advice is what I need most!

[sallihennipenni]

I'm not worried about our hens being too cold this winter, but I AM worried about freezing combs/waddles when the coop temp gets below freezing. I have 14 fully feathered hens (BA, RIR, BO & BR) and an 8x8 non-insulated coop with a ventilated ridge. I use a heated waterer so freezing water isn't an issue. A couple of nights I put a heat lamp in the coop but I noticed some condensation. I've heard people talk like condensation is a bigger danger to the birds, but I'm not sure why? How cold is too cold before I start having frostbiten combs/waddles. I'm new to this. This year is my first year for having chickens and I'm really loving it. Only want the best for my girls!

What I need is advice from you.....people more experienced in raising chickens. I thank you in advance!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

The good news is with hens you have less chance of frost bite than with roosters, because big combs and wattles are most susceptible to frost bite. My hens have a similar set up and they have not had any frost bite here in Michigan. If very cold weather is predicted you can use the heat lamp (just make sure there is a safety grate in front of the bulb to reduce the chance of fire in case it falls.) You can also put some Vaseline on their combs to keep help prevent it on really cold nights, but I haven't had to do that with my hens and it has gotten down to at least zero degrees over the past few winters here.

 

[sallihennipenni]

Thanks for your help Scratch n' Peck. Yes, I'm seeing online that roosters tend to get frostbite more. Guess that makes sense. How cold do you think it's gotten inside your coop? Is the zero degrees inside? The vaseline is a good idea.

 

[sallihennipenni]

Thanks for your advice Scratch n' Peck. I've been seeing online more problems with frostbite on rooster.....guess that makes sense. Is your zero temps inside the coop? Just wondering how cold coop temps can get before you have a problem? The vaseline is a good idea. Thanks!

 

[sallihennipenni]

Woops. Connection problems. Didn't think the first reply went through.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

The 0 degrees was the outside temp. I think it was several degrees warmer inside the coop.