Chook Me!

How warm should a chicken coop be in winter?

we have 4 grown hens and we need to know how warm to keep the coop.we live in northeastern TN and it can get cold.Thanks!

Public Comments

1. if they are well feathered and cold adapted no heating needed
2. low hanging lights, i worked at a chicken farm for awhile
3. It is not the cold that kills the chickens ,it is the Draughts and lack of food and water. If you can put a low light in the coop this will allow them to feed when it is cold thus keeping their metabolism up,or a tubular Electric heater for when it gets really cold brbrbrbrbr
4. Hi, The golden rule with how warm it is, is if in the morning your water is iced over, then it's it cold. Chickens in cold weather will fluff out their feathers to trap in the warm body heat.Drinking iced water will cool the body down to quickly and they often suffer from cold this way too. Putting light bulb in the coop with give off some heat, but your better off using electric heaters.
5. It depends a lot on the breed of chicken you are raising.Some breeds are more cold resistant than others.Do a little research on your breed and find out how hardy they are.Your coop should have some venting but shouldn't allow air to blow through. I live in Ky so we are dealing with the same winters.I have good coops that I built myself that doesn't allow drafts. If it is really cold, say like single digits I will hang a light in the coop.Having more chickens in your coop is also a good idea.....When it's cold they will bunch up close on the roost to stay warmer.Good luck!!
6. yes remember they have DOWN coats on. but make sure they have a heated water source and enough food That their coop is free of drafts a light (colored so it doesn't mess up their motabilizm ) which will give off SOME HEAT.
7. I agree with what the others are saying, would like to add this idea. I feed my hens a hot mash in the morning. In a feed tub place 1 scoop layer mash, add very hot water, stir until the consistency of oatmeal. The chickens love it, in fact mine are so spoiled to eating it I give it to them year around.
8. As long as your coop is dry and isn't drafty all over you don't need to heat it. It should still have ventilation. For years I brought warm water out once or twice a day for my birds, until I found a metal waterer and an electric water heater base. Now I just make sure there is water available. More feed is needed in the winter to help keep them warm, to help with the molt, and even after the molt to help with their egg production. EDIT: Forgot to add...if you have chickens for egg production then you will need a light in your coop. Egg production not only depends on water and protein it depends on light. Chickens need at least 14 and up to 18 hours of light a day to lay eggs. A light on a timer works well for this. Have the light come on before sunset and then go off when the proper number of hours of light has been reached. Further north the longer the light is on (in the northern states it's 10 or 11 at night).
9. if it is draft free with some ventilaging then dont worry there body heat will keep each other warm
10. I live in Tn to & i would say if they have a roost area away from the floor then if it gets down to around 25 you might put a heat lamp.Its already cold where i live about 30s at night now but mine have an open window still but when i walk in there right after i open it in the mornings its probably around 60 degrees on the inside.i have 57 though so more body heat you should be good until late nov. or early dec. it just depends u never know.
11. You can use a shop lamp to keep the coop warm for your birds or a 100 wat light bulb just have to be careful the birds don't get hurt or cause a fire from the heat. Birds do adapt to the weather changes very well but you are a kind person to think of your birds in winter as I do I place a light bulb in my coop for my birds as well I turn my on at least 1 hour before they go in so it will be a tad warmer than outside. I also before winter weather gets here I cover my coop with heavy plastic. and then over top of this I place heavy blankets to keep the cold out and wind as well With the light the coop stays very nice you can feel warmth as you enter and my birds are happy little critters. You may wish to apply some petroleum jelly(vaseline) to the combs & wattles this helps to keep from getting frostbite. Your birds will roost together to conserve heat But a bulb is always a good idea if its to be real cold.