Will my chickens be fine in -40 degree weather?

evan 66

In the Brooder
Aug 23, 2016
6
0
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We have had some cold days here in Iowa lately but on Wednesdsy the low is supposed to be around -26 with windchill being I think around -40. I am really worried about my chickens and ducks. If i cover parts of the coop to protect them from from the wind I’ll the temp inside the coop be liveable for them or should I bring them inside? I have 4 chickens and 2 ducks in the coop. Thanks!
 
That’s what I would like to do if this would be too cold for them
What does your coop look like? What's it made out of? Is it insulated? If it's a smaller coop it may be a better idea for a few days. I would put them in the garage as your basement may be too warm. If your coop can be closed up and winds blocked they should be okay. You may get some frostbite on comb points or even toe tips either way. Mine are locked in the shed and will stay that way until after Thursday here.
 
That’s what I would like to do if this would be too cold for them
Can you post a pic of your set up. I've covered my whole run with a clear tarp. Sun shines warms area. I have a pre fab hen house. BOOO HISSSS, saves getting slammed again. Keep them DRY. Ventilate your coop. Their body temp is 106-107F. Their feathers are just like a down coat. They roost and cover their feet with their feathers. Some of them depending on breed, tuck their heads under their wing to protect combs. They will be fine. Another trick to help them with the cold is to make sure their crops are full at bedtime. I feed my a night time snack. Pellets, scratch, and mealworms. Having a full crop at night and digesting that food increases their metabolism, that "work" helps keep them warm. Some feed warm food at night time too. My chickens won't eat wet food except from beef stew, strained and then only the potatoes, carrots, and celery. They didn't eat the beef and it was tender and small pieces, crock pot stew.
 
What does your coop look like? What's it made out of? Is it insulated? If it's a smaller coop it may be a better idea for a few days. I would put them in the garage as your basement may be too warm. If your coop can be closed up and winds blocked they should be okay. You may get some frostbite on comb points or even toe tips either way. Mine are locked in the shed and will stay that way until after Thursday here.
It’s about 5 feet tall,made of wood, and it’s in a box shape. It’s not insulated
 
It’s about 5 feet tall,made of wood, and it’s in a box shape. It’s not insulated
You could bed it well. Hay or straw along the outside wall on the prevailing winds side could offer extra protection. Bags of bedding could be used as well.

It's not necessarily the temperatures, but those wind chills. Birds should hunker down, or even stay on the roosts longer. They will share body heat.

So block the winds and keep the coop closed up for a few days. If it makes you feel better than move them in for a few days.
 

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