Sub-zero Temps with a Chickshaw

[Jmegheno]

Hello! I have a question for those who live in a place with pretty cold winters. We are in zone 5b and it regularly can be -10° - -20° or more (sometimes days in a row). I would like to know if the chickens will be safe and warm in there if we paired it up with an electric fence.

Thank you in advance!

 

[wyochick10]

Hi! I’m not exactly sure what you are asking but my chickens do fine in those temps (I’m in Wyoming) without any added heat source. Hopefully someone else can chime in that can help with your question.

And Welcome to BYC!!

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

I don't like the Chicksaw concept because it is absolutely, 100% dependent on you being able to go out and open it up promptly at sunrise every single day of the year no matter what else is going on in your life.

For example, it snowed an inch last night here -- which is a big deal in Central North Carolina, especially because it probably has a layer of ice under it.

It's long past sunrise, but I'm sitting here in my robe and slippers with a second cup of coffee, secure in the knowledge that my birds are fine in my oversized facilities (~22 in a 16x16 coop and 3 in a 4x8 coop), with their food and water available, so that I don't have to go out and risk falling on black ice.

Here is a useful article about housing chickens in severe winter areas: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[aart]

I would like to know if the chickens will be safe and warm in there if we paired it up with an electric fence.

Electric fence or electric heater?
How many birds in your chicksaw?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Hello! I have a question for those who live in a place with pretty cold winters. We are in zone 5b and it regularly can be -10° - -20° or more (sometimes days in a row).

Welcome to BYC! @Jmegheno
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[CanadaEh]

Hello! I have a question for those who live in a place with pretty cold winters. We are in zone 5b and it regularly can be -10° - -20° or more (sometimes days in a row). I would like to know if the chickens will be safe and warm in there if we paired it up with an electric fence.

smaller coop could mean warmer chickens, but watch for potential problems:
1) chickens have to spend whole day in very small coop due to bad weather (pecking issues)
2) inability to put ventilation away from the chickens - you will likely have to babysit the ventilation opening for different wind/temp conditions much more than you would in larger coop.

 

[aart]

smaller coop could mean warmer chickens,

Not really.
Adequate ventilation makes 'holding heat' moot.

 

[CanadaEh]

Not really.
Adequate ventilation makes 'holding heat' moot.

that's why I said *could*