Ever since my husband put the rampart , door and windows onto the new shed he build , I ’ve been joking about how it would make the perfect new home for more chicken .
This morning , he mentioned temporarily housing our eight poulet inside the new shed overnight , when the temperature dip down near 0 level F. In many places north of here , it ’s going to get even colder than that this wintertime . While my husband ’s theme is a compassionate one — and altruistic , considering how much he loves his new 96 - square - foot humans infinite — housing the flock in the shed might not be the right answer for dealing with bitter frigid nights .
Temperature Differences
If you ’ve considered keeping your chickens in a seemingly fond position temporarily , consider that in a larger building , like our empty shed , the muckle can not heat the intact outer space . In fact , they might finger much colder in a larger place than they would if they were to be cooped up in their normal , air space where they are already habituate to fire up it themselves . up the stairs in their small nomadic cage , my chicken huddle together in a small domain where they keep each other warm .
Moving a muckle to a space that is actually colder for them can allure one to supplement heat . However , sudden temperature changes can be deadly — i.e. , we could run a risk burning down the new shed .
Most of the time , chicken do n’t need supplemental warmth , just protection from the cold . Consider that extreme temperature are relative , and as a human , you ’re not a good judge of living out of doors with feathers . If you ’re raising cold - hardy breeds , the chickens will be fine most of the time as long as you provide enough feed , liquid piss and a cozy , clean , ventilate space .
In oecumenical , if your crybaby will the coop to attend out in the run or to free range , they ’re warm enough . They might even love some time in the sun . If they ’re too cold , they ’ll be loath to lead the henhouse , even to use up . That ’s when I care to servewarm breakfasts .
Danger of Extreme Cold
For a mickle that ’s adapted to cold temperatures through the natural change of the time of year , the biggest menace to them isfrostbite . Ornamental strain with less torso great deal can also be in more danger in inhuman weather . Much of a passel ’s frostbite risk happens the right way inside the coop , where wet accumulate just from respiration and poop buildup in the bedding .
If you get mansion of frostbite on your chicken — pale bloodless or black sphere on combing and wattles — look immediately to the external respiration in your henhouse , and ensure tokeep bedding sportsmanlike and dry .
Have an Extreme Temperature Plan
Remember , chickens do n’t feel insensate temperatures the path you and I do . Your flock ’s musical theme of a affectionate hencoop wo n’t feel warm to you .
Before the frigid air travel hail , I move the henhouse latitude and next to the privacy fence to block direct wind . The positioning will help oneself the volaille keep their body heat inside the coop . I by and large keep the ladder down so the chickens can take the air down for breakfast in the morning when they ’re ready , but when the cold falls into the single digits , I button up the coop a little tighter , pulling the run up and locking the hens on a higher floor . However , the ladder does n’t fit tightly ; if it did , we ’d lose some public discussion .
