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

 

[StinkyAcres]

@CHlCKEN How did your chickens fare last night?

 

[horror_trashcan]

I do have a Frizzle

I have a frizzle as well, 6w old in an unheated uninsulated brooder box with 14 other hens, he fared fine last night at 5 degrees although they all still sleep in a big pile so I'm sure they're warming each other up.

 

[CHlCKEN]

@CHlCKEN How did your chickens fare last night?

Had three garage hens last night. They were bit freaked out about the arrangement but all was well. Gonna be even colder tonight though so I guess they’ll be coming in again. The rest of my birds all huddled on one roost together which they never do, usually like their space, but good to see them making things work.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Had three garage hens last night. They were bit freaked out about the arrangement but all was well. Gonna be even colder tonight though so I guess they’ll be coming in again. The rest of my birds all huddled on one roost together which they never do, usually like their space, but good to see them making things work.

Great! They should get through this cold snap just fine. Supposed to be -4F here tomorrow night. My chickens have been through much colder temps before (no insulation or heater either) so I'm not worried about them at all.

 

[1stflockMama]

I thought it was funny, bc my husband would kill me if I brought our girls in! But seriously I've thought about it! It's their first winter and today is the coldest yet!