Advice needed. Time sensitive.

[RoyalChick]

Done.

View attachment 4048624

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The nice thing about having a cement floor is I can always mop it when they’re back outside.

Thank you all for the advice. I will keep you all updated concerning the weather.

Oh they are going to have fun exploring!

 

[alinas2010]

I did the same exact thing for ours when it got to -30s one year Basement was probably around 65. They did just fine overnight. Getting them to adjust to going back outside the next day was a sort of slow process.

Now we use an oil filled radiant heater in the coop when it gets that cold and it will keep the coop at a decent temperature for them. I would never hesitate to bring them inside again if needed, though.

Some people use a pop up tent to contain messes inside, I thought that was a good idea.

 

[jnicholes]

I did the same exact thing for ours when it got to -30s one year Basement was probably around 65. They did just fine overnight. Getting them to adjust to going back outside the next day was a sort of slow process.

Now we use an oil filled radiant heater in the coop when it gets that cold and it will keep the coop at a decent temperature for them. I would never hesitate to bring them inside again if needed, though.

Some people use a pop up tent to contain messes inside, I thought that was a good idea.

I actually had one of those pop-up tents, I used it as a brooder, in fact. However, it got so messy and dirty in there that we couldn’t wash it and we had to throw it out.

When you look at my coop pictures, what kind of heater would you suggest if I were to have these types of temperatures again?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Jared, your coop is really nice. I love that your hens have so much room. I would just make one suggestion if I may. I would replace the perch you have with a 2 x 4 set flat side up, as they don't typically grip with their feet like parrots do. I think it would be easier on their feet. That way they can hunker down and cover their feet to keep them warm.

 

[Strawberry74]

I pretty much panic every time I see windchills getting that cold here too. I have a fully enclosed coop that is draft free and I finally realized after the first few times that they did just fine with absolutely no heat and it was more by my worry than their inability to stay warm. I've had chicken since 2017 and seen that sort of temperature swing at least twice almost every winter. I've never lost a bird to cold thankfully. That being said if I only had six they would have probably been in the garage or basement

 

[alinas2010]

I actually had one of those pop-up tents, I used it as a brooder, in fact. However, it got so messy and dirty in there that we couldn’t wash it and we had to throw it out.

When you look at my coop pictures, what kind of heater would you suggest if I were to have these types of temperatures again?

Well for reference, our coop is an 8x8 shed converted into a coop with little insulation, and I use an oil filled radiant heater like this one:

when the temps are in the negative 20-30 area, with the heater on the highest setting, we’re able to keep the coop around 25-30, so they’re pretty powerful heaters for small spaces. I do keep it up on a stool raised off the bedding, but I consider it relatively safe otherwise bc it shuts off automatically when tipped over and on lower settings, it won’t get hot enough to burn anything, but it still keeps the coop warm.

 

[jnicholes]

Well for reference, our coop is an 8x8 shed converted into a coop with little insulation, and I use an oil filled radiant heater like this one:View attachment 4048636when the temps are in the negative 20-30 area, with the heater on the highest setting, we’re able to keep the coop around 25-30, so they’re pretty powerful heaters for small spaces. I do keep it up on a stool raised off the bedding, but I consider it relatively safe otherwise bc it shuts off automatically when tipped over and on lower settings, it won’t get hot enough to burn anything, but it still keeps the coop warm.

I’ll have to invest in one of those. Thank you so much.

 

[alinas2010]

I’ll have to invest in one of those. Thank you so much.

You’re welcome! Let us know how the ladies do inside I bet they’re having a ball. Jealous of the amount of snow you’re getting!

 

[HerdAndHome]

You did an excellent job! Looks like they'll weather this storm well. It's great that you take such good care of them.
My family in Montana is going through that extreme cold weather warning too. I can't imagine dealing with something like that. Best of luck!

 

[jnicholes]

This is what I did the last time we had a cold snap this bad in 2022.

Her favorite place to rest during the cold snap was underneath my pool table.

This picture actually won a BYC contest a long while ago.