26 december 2019 Elizabeth Racine, DVM
Chickens are quite hardy and can tolerate temperatures below freezing, but prefer a warmer climate. The ideal temperature for chickens is around 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. In winter weather, you should take some precautions to ensure that your chickens are comfortable despite the cold.
The best temperatures for adult chickens
Chickens prefer temperatures in the 70s, but can tolerate temperatures much lower if necessary. Laying hens can still produce eggs even when the ambient temperature drops below freezing. Although chickens can tolerate colder temperatures, it is still important to keep coops warm and dry throughout the winter to improve egg laying and prevent disease.
Remember, chickens like it warm, but not hot! Too high temperatures can lead to loss of appetite, reduced egg production and poor quality eggs. Although it may be tempting to turn up the heat throughout the coop in winter, it is best to provide a single heat source, such as a heat lamp or ceramic heater, so that the chickens can move freely to or from the heat source. can move away to regulate the temperature. their own body temperature.
The best temperatures for chickens
Chicks are much more sensitive to cold than adult chicks due to their small size and immature feathers. Chicks are particularly sensitive to cold during the first few days of their lives, and exposure to lower temperatures during this time can lead to illness. A good rule of thumb is to start with an ambient temperature of 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit when the chicks hatch, and then lower the temperature by 5 degrees each week as the chicks grow. When the chicks reach 5 weeks of age, they can be kept at an ambient temperature of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to keep chickens warm
When the temperature outside drops, there are several steps you can take to keep your coop warm and cozy for your birds. Consider implementing some of these strategies to ensure your chickens stay warm all winter long:
- Provide a heat source, such as a heat lamp or ceramic heater.
- Fill the coop with extra bedding for insulation.
- Useheated perchesto keep the birds warm.
- Add extra food, which gives the birds more energy to produce body heat.
- Give the birds oneheated cushionto warm them up if necessary.
- Keep the chicks active by providing scratch grains and other environmental enrichment.
- Close off any drafty areas of the garden while ensuring adequate ventilation for the health of the birds.
- Usekettlesto prevent water sources from freezing.
Be sure to keep an eye on your chickens throughout the day, especially in the evenings when temperatures start to drop. You know that your chickens feel comfortable when they are spread out in the garden, are active and eat normally. If the chicks are sitting close together or staying close to the heat source, your chicken is probably too cold for them!
There are no definitive rules for what temperature is too cold for chickens. Chickens can survive below freezing, but keeping your chickens warm all winter will keep them healthy and productive all season long. With a few simple changes to your home, you won't have to worry about your chickens in the cold anymore!
- Bahar Kocaman, et al. “Effect of environmental conditions in poultry houses on the performance of æglæggende høns.” International Journal of Poultry Science, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan. 2006, z. 26-30., doi:10.3923/ijps.2006.26.30 .
- “Increasing temperatures for small poultry flocks.” Agriculture: Province of Manitoba,https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/production/poultry/brooding-temperatures-for-small-poultry-flocks.html
- Munn, Dorothy and Michigan State University. “Tips for Managing Backyard Chickens in Winter.” MSU Extension, October 2, 2018,https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/tips_for_managing_backyard_chickens_in_the_winter
- Wright, Ashley. “Managing Extreme Summer Temperatures with Backyard Chickens.” Cooperative Expansion | University of Arizona, April 11. 2018,https://extension.arizona.edu/managing-extreme-summer-temps-backyard-chickens
