How Cold Is Too Cold For Chickens, Winter Care Basics Review

TW: I happy cry while giving thanks for all my new subscribers between 19:05-20:22 approximately so if hearing somebody happy cry would upset you, you can skip my thank you.
In this video I talk about how cold is too cold for chickens and review many of the tips from my previous winter care videos. I do my best to condense everything here and mention it all in one video. Some of these tips are repeated here from previous content to be sure I mention all of the essential basics. Do you have additional tips about caring for chickens in cold temperatures that have been helpful to you? Please share your thoughts in the comments. New topic next week!
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Some additional information from the video here:
Temperature adjustment for new seasonal norms typically takes 24-48 hours
Normal signs of cold stress: Huddling, one raised foot, lowered activity
More concerning signs: extremely lowered activity, lethargy
Very concerning: no activity, open beak, not eating or drinking, distressed sounds
Always consult a livestock vet if you feel it is needed. Use your best judgement when intervention and additional measures are needed for your flock.
I talk about typical temperature ranges for chickens. Extreme cold weather chicken keeping is possible. It requires good facilities and diligent sanitation and maintenance.
Chicks should be fully feathered (8-10 weeks of age) before they go outside. Feathers help them regulate their body temperature and stay warm.
Some of the information will be a review. I add additional specifics throughout.
My husband let me know I say “ground cover litter” too much so, feedback received lol. It’s important though! So I don’t regret mentioning it because reducing moisture in your chicken area is important to maintaining their health especially in the winter season.
Thank you to everyone for helping me grow my online flock. I am very grateful for every single one of you. Thank you for being here on the channel.
Thanks for watching!
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Disclaimer. Any and all content and information shared is for entertainment, educational, and enrichment purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for qualified professional assistance or services of any kind. Chuck and the Chicks is a creation of Sierra Morris Gallery LLC.
Thank you for being part of our flock and for following the guidelines below:
1) Please never come to the physical location of our farm. All of our future business and correspondence is and will be conducted online. Thank you for respecting our privacy and safety requirements.
2) Absolutely *NO POLITICS*. The topics of this channel are backyard chickens and homesteading.
3) No hate speech, bullying, or unproductive negative comments.

[@heatherpletsch5749]

I appreciate your direct approach to the videos and getting right to the information. This will be my first winter season with chickens. Your videos have helped me get through the hot summer with easy heat relief suggestions. I feel reassured about winter preparation and what signs to look for with chicken distress. Also, thank you for providing an honest opinion about supplemental heat without debate or judgment!

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you for your comment. I think it is important to provide good information and to be supportive of others in the backyard chicken community. Rather than debate details I find more peace in sharing information and trusting others to make the best decision for their flock. Backyard chicken care is nuanced and one solution will not be right for every flock. I am very happy you have found my content helpful. Thank you for being here on the channel!

[@susancampbell2112]

Awesome and very complete video on every aspect of winter chicken care! Thanks!

[@ChuckTheRooster]

You're very welcome! I am very happy you found it helpful.

[@michellebarbour5777]

Thank you from the U.K. for useful info. We are going out tomorrow to make more perches. like the look of all of yours. No need for tears. It's me who should be grateful to you for wisdom..

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you for your kind words. I am sure your flock is going to enjoy their new perches! I'm grateful you are here on the channel. Wishing you a beautiful day ahead.

[@GtJrGrowsItAlaska]

Thanks for sharing this information.

[@LornaMagliaro]

We are grateful for you. ❤

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Grateful for you too! Thank you for being here on the channel.

[@gjdangerfield4581]

Awesome job! Keep it up. I always come to you for chicken advice and I'm never disappointed!

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you so much! It is very meaningful to know my videos are helpful to others. Thank you for being here on the channel!

[@AliRahimzadeh-v4x]

Thanks for all informative videos.

[@ChuckTheRooster]

I am very glad you find them helpful. Thank you for being here on the channel.

[@steveconnor5388]

Thanks your channel is awesome and much appreciated 😊

[@ChuckTheRooster]

You're very welcome! I'm very happy you are enjoying my content. Let me know if there is any specific video you would like to see. Thank you for being here on the channel.

[@minomokwa744]

Once again an excellent and helpful video. Thank you and God bless you and your chickies. Greetings from Europe.

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Blessings right back! Greetings from across the pond. Sharing love and peaceful energy from our homestead to yours.

[@Emundas455]

Great video, earned a subscribe! I don't have chickens yet, but should for the next year. Definitely meat birds, not sure on a laying flock yet.

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Welcome to the channel! Thank you for joining the flock. I looked up some additional links for you since I don't currently create content centered around meat chickens. Disclaimer *I'm not officially associated in any way whatsoever with these links, I just hope this info will be helpful to you. Thank you for taking time to learn about your chickens prior to bringing home your first flock. Meat chicken resource links I located below: www.amazon.com/Butchering-Chickens-Humane-Small-Scale-Processing/dp/1635861659?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER blog.mcmurrayhatchery.com/2013/09/16/the-perfect-chicken-by-joel-salatin/ apppa.org/

[@kaseyhill407]

I have Silkie chickens and I keep them in the garage with a small run in the garage. I also have a 10/13 run outside if they can access from the garage so I'm wondering if I should Supply artificial light during the day since they're in the garage and they don't really like to go outside that much. I already have a panel heater and we'll put that up later I'm in high altitude Colorado and any suggestions would be great . I also opened the garage door during the day I do not believe I will be doing that in the winter what are your thoughts

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you for your question. I wish I was able to see a picture of your set up in order to provide you with more informed recommendations. An additional question I have is are you intending for your garage to be your permanent coop or are you intending to build additional infrastructure (a coop and run) for your flock at some point in the future? I haven't seen anyone use a garage as livestock housing and although I'm sure it can be done I would encourage you if possible in the future to consider investing in a permanent coop and run when and if it is feasible. If your plan is to adapt your garage as the permanent coop, I would recommend installing a window in the garage door so your chickens have access to natural light. Sunlight helps regulate many aspects of your chickens' health, not just their laying cycle. A secondary option would be artificial lights on a timer which can be adjusted seasonally to correspond with the natural sunrise and sunset of your region. I would also recommend if that is the plan you will be implementing to have multiple sets of lights, at least two, so the light level decreases gradually similar to a sunset to indicate to your chickens it is time to roost. Otherwise, if it goes from full brightness to pitch black in their coop, members of the flock may become stranded on the floor and unable to roost to stay warm. Chickens are night blind so when it is too dark they can't see to move around and roost. Also when selecting artificial lighting choose warm lighting as fluorescent bulbs can be harmful to chickens and cause irritability and high levels of stress which detrimentally impacts their health. Chicken eyes are more sensitive to light and work differently than ours do. I would also recommend giving them access to their run as much as possible and as much as you can safely do so. Even if they choose not to utilize it on super cold days more space is always better when it comes to flocks of any size. Some flock members might choose to stay inside while others choose to utilize the run. My ornamental breeds also have a panel heater. It is good to periodically check your heater throughout the winter to check for malfunctions and ensure it is working properly. I hope this information is helpful! Let me know if you have any additional questions. I will do my best to help you find any info you are looking for.

[@hiltonhillfarms5995]

Loved the video, I'm only in my 2nd yr of chicken raising and have had a serious problem with "Chicken Math", as I now have approximately 130+ feather children...lol!! I love my babies and spoil them rotten, so the more I can learn, the better, so thank you for sharing all your great info. I ALWAYS worry myself sick in the winter over them, but hoping we have another mild winter again here in East Tennessee. I look forward to your next video friend!! Hugs!

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you for your kind words. Sounds like you have a large, diverse, beautiful flock! Thank you for providing them with excellent love and care. I'm certain they appreciate all of your efforts to give them an amazing quality of life. Hugs back and welcome to the channel!

[@gloriasmith5764]

I can tell you're passionate about your flock, and it shows! We thank you for this valuable information! 💜

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I'm extremely passionate about backyard chickens and homesteading. Caring for my flock and learning self sufficiency skills has been a healing experience for me and I'm eager to share the love and peace it has brought me with the world. Thank you for holding space for my big feelings about how much I love my animals and my homestead.

[@debbieurias5151]

For people with Silkies I give my Silkies light with a timer with 16 hrs of light. You can get fancy by having2timed light one goes off 15 to 20 minutes after the one main light. Both on during the day and the helpful part of the second timed light is it gives the chicken the chance to get to were they sleep at night. I use a small string of Christmas lights for their last light. Like a night light. I live where end of October we get snow and it stays until April. Higher protein and fat to keep them warm.😊 too.

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with your flock. Silkies are a wonderful chicken breed and I'm grateful to have them as part of my flock too.

[@debbieurias5151]

I live in North Idaho. I Also keep a thermometer in my coop. Besides a plate heater there is a heated roasting bar for you g, or small breed chickens. I've used one in my Silkies coop. Safe and once birds know its there they love it.

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you for sharing your safe supplemental heating solution. I'm very happy to hear it keeps your flock safe and warm. Thank you for being here on the channel!

[@LindaForsberg-f6f]

You are a kind, sweet, wonderful person! Thank you for making this video! Looking forward to watching more!

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm grateful to have you here on the channel too. Welcome!

[@terridrisdelle9163]

We have only one hen. Are there any other things we need to consider or do?

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you for your question. I would recommend if at possible to add two more hens to your flock. Especially as winter nears many people will be downsizing their flocks and even giving away fully grown chickens for free. Rescues also exist that rehome unwanted hens. Chickens are flock animals and need the companionship of others chickens to live their best quality of life. If your hen will be remaining an only hen for whatever reason be sure she is getting lots of quality care and interaction. Check out my earlier content for additional tips and info and if you haven't already I recommend picking up at least beginner chicken care guide book. You can find these online and at farm box stores and also free chicken resources are at your local library and your local agricultural office. Let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you for being here on the channel!