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

[@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!

[@joannashworth2396]

Thank you for such an informative video. I am enjoying a small flock in my retirement years. I was deeply touched by your testimony of gratitude. Each time I have a dozen eggs to share, or have a wonderful egg for breakfast, I am moved by the gracious hand of our Creator that made us, and made chickens to bless our lives. I'm learning as I go. Thanks again!

[@ChuckTheRooster]

I'm very happy you're enjoying the channel. My small flock has also transformed my life in more positive and wonderful ways than I can mention. Through caring for them and learning about their needs I have truly grown as a person. Additionally they take such amazing, good care of our family in return. Our flock is the heart of our homestead. Chickens truly are a blessing and deserving of our care and compassion. Thank you for your comment!

[@valkyrie1066]

I told everyone in the city I lived in that when I retired; I needed a garden and chickens. I know what makes ME happy. Retired; gardener and chicken owner! ❤❤❤❤ Blessed Be!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@LornaMagliaro]

We are grateful for you. ❤

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Grateful for you too! 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.

[@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!

[@kayte13]

@debbieurias5151 I have so too Silkies and my coop gets down to 40° and I was wondering what kind of a plate heater do you use that is safe against fires. I thought of using a heated mat that I use for my cats that work.

[@hiltonhillhomestead]

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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@valkyrie1066]

Your name is almost exactly my daughter's! LOL She would greatly appreciate your content as well!

[@ChuckTheRooster]

That's awesome. Everyone is welcome here on the channel! Feel free to share my content with your daughter. I hope she enjoys the videos too. Thank you for being here on the channel.

[@stephanievanorden1765]

Thank you so much! First winter with my babies and I want to do it right

[@ChuckTheRooster]

The fact that you are preparing and doing research lets me know your flock is in good hands. Preparation is the key to a safe and happy winter with chickens. If you haven't already, be sure to acquire at least one beginner chicken care guidebook as well. These contain a lot of valuable information and even years into my chicken journey I still refer to mine all the time. Thank you for being here on the channel and for investing time into providing your flock with excellent care!

[@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/

[@wilheys.6224]

Thanks for helping me out!

[@ChuckTheRooster]

You're very welcome. I'm very glad you found the video helpful.

[@DGibsonxio]

A few years ago we had two weeks of subzero temps. My hen house was untreated. But, packed with hens and one rooster. The tips on his comb were frost bit or frozen. The tips turned black and feel off. He has a nice smooth comb up there now. I keep him because he has never bowed up on me.

[@ChuckTheRooster]

That is very true, chickens share body heat to keep warm. If you had a large flock they no doubt helped each other by huddling close in the cold temperatures. I'm glad to hear you value your tame rooster. A gentleman rooster is a wonderful addition to a flock. Thank you for being here on the channel.

[@MaryAnn598]

I love my chickens too, and thank you for all we learn from you 😊

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate them very much. Let me know if there is a specific video that would be helpful to you.

[@crystalcarpenter8945]

STRONGER TOGETHER LOVE ❤️😘 APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Small flocks and small gardens can save the world. Every plant and every chicken grown with love makes the world a better place. Thank you for being here on the channel for being part of the flock!

[@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.

[@chickenmom1370]

Good info! Just subscribed! :o)

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Welcome to the flock!

[@GtJrGrowsItAlaska]

Thanks for sharing this information.

[@ChuckTheRooster]

I'm very glad you found the information helpful. Thank you for being here on the channel.

[@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.

[@SundryTalesOfConstance79WESTY]

Nooice! 😎 STOC

[@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.

[@jeremyjessup5271]

Anything above-10 f is good don't burn your coop down with a heat light

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Yes thank you! Heat lamps are a very real fire hazard. I use supplemental heat because I have ornamental and elderly chickens. I have had a very positive experience using wall mounted panel heaters. Thank you for reaffirming this important information.

[@ivebeenthere2115]

Thank you so very much. I am new. Bought a book and watch videos. What do I do if one dies? To own chickens does it mean I HAVE to hold or pick them up?

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Welcome to the channel! It is great to be new and to be learning. That is awesome that you bought a chicken care book guide!! It is so important to have accurate information that you can access offline to learn and know about how to care for your chickens. Reading just a few pages every day will really help set you and your chickens up for success. I will do my best to answer your questions. What to do if one of your flock dies; this is going to depend on a few things. Firstly, hopefully you are not experiencing frequent flock deaths because this is an indicator of issues. Most chicken breeds are long lived with an average lifespan of 5 years when cared for properly with the exception of meat birds who are processed in a much, much shorter time frame and require entirely different care than egg layers. I don't know the legal stipulations in your area regarding animal disposal or burial so you would need to explore what is legal in your specific area. You can also contact a vet to have a necropsy performed if you suspect your chicken died of suspicious or potentially disease related issues and they can give you options and additional information. Most livestock vets also offer animal remains disposal for a small fee. Do you have to hold or pick up your chickens? No, it isn't a requirement for you to handle your chickens and in fact you can develop a care routine which involves minimal contact. You may need to physically interact with your chickens if they require medical attention or assistance and in order to perform a health check if you suspect there are issues. Proper animal care will likely at some point require handling them but you're not required to regard them as pets. You can still even if you don't view them as pets treat them with compassion and good responsible care. Other ways of interacting with your chickens that doesn't require touching them is feeding them treats from a bowl and observing or just watching them and enjoying them from a distance. Owning chickens and caring for them will require interaction with them at varying levels but you determine your own flock management style. I hope this is helpful!

[@cazsantics525]

Great video what do you do about snow? I every time I put tarpaulin on my roof the snow breaks it or it collapses or…..

[@ChuckTheRooster]

Thank you for your question. I haven't faced many instances of extreme snowfall in our area however when I have experienced some snow and ice it has required more maintenance to ensure that tarp roof doesn't collapse. A possible solution, you can reinforce the tarp roof with a frame and wire to make it sturdier so it can hold the weight of the snow. I use a large push broom to remove snow and ice from our tarp roof. During storms when I can safely do so, I will regularly use the push broom to keep snow and ice from accumulating on top of the tarp roof. Be very careful when removing snow and ice as sheets of snow and falling ice can be very dangerous to you and your flock. I also place our tarps with the dark side out. The darker color heats up quicker in the sun and helps melt snow and ice more easily. I hope this is helpful!

[@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!

[@terryravey2248]

too much music in the background