Need experienced advice on how to deal with single digit temps in non-insulated coop

[StinkyAcres]

That sounds good. I'd say bring the vulnerable breeds inside for the cold snap if you can. Pile up the bedding in the coop and maybe even add temporary insulation to your coop and cover the vents with a breathable material like blankets or furnace filters.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I am in SW MO and it's going to be 7°F by 7 am. I am not in the least worried about my chickens, I'm sure they'll be fine. Our 8x10' coop is also uninsulated and has open ventilation on the east side, above their heads as they roost. Wind is out of the WNW at 7 mph. They get a snack of cracked corn, BOSS and dried worms in the afternoon. My belief is that if wild birds can survive nature's conditions out in the wild, my chickens will be perfectly fine inside a dry coop in the same conditions. They are, after all, birds.

 

[SourRoses]

What BlueHen said for most all chickens...
but, for the non-hardy breeds you could think about a panel heater. It's the same build type as a brooder plate so safer than lights, but it can be mounted to the wall near the roost. You can run an extension cord to it, although I would unplug it from the source when not in use.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What BlueHen said for most all chickens...
but, for the non-hardy breeds you could think about a panel heater. It's the same build type as a brooder plate so safer than lights, but it can be mounted to the wall near the roost. You can run an extension cord to it, although I would unplug it from the source when not in use.

True this. I don't have silkies or frizzles, for example.

 

[SourRoses]

True this. I don't have silkies or frizzles, for example.

X2. My floofy part Orps would adore 5 degrees, lol. Our struggle is getting them through summer, so they have an open-air coop. We had some cold snaps already down below the 30's and I haven't worried about covering the sides with tarps or anything. But that's about as much cold as FL has to offer

 

[Andkingquail]

It's going to get down to 5° F tonight and I'm not at all prepared for it having never before seen temps like these in my years of chicken keeping. My coop is NOT insulated and when closed up only gets about 2-5 degrees above the external temps, which in our usual 40 degree nights is no issue at all, but is possibly dangerous tonight. I'm going to clear the droppings boards to minimize moisture but I need to know how I can bring the temps up inside without a heater. All ideas are welcome.