I'm going to try to keep this as simple as possible. There's not much we need to do to prep for the cold in the South, thank goodness.
If you keep chickens in a run and not a coop, they need to be able to stay out of the wind. Entirely. The cold flows throw their feathers and robs them of the heat they have built up. Here are a few ideas I've seen floating around the internet.
Tarps
Dollar store shower curtains
feed bags - we use these as skirting for our coops because they are a couple of feet off the ground.
In the coop, the windows need to be covered. The wind blows from every direction so don't just focus on the north and west. But you need to provide ventilation to keep the humidity moving out. I should have written 'excess' humidity. Hahaha.
On the subject of humidity, that is your chicken's biggest threat. The sub-freezing temps and humid weather are what cause frostbite down here. At night keep the water and feed out of the coop to keep the humidity levels down. Obviously, feed doesn't cause humidity, but it brings in rats and that's just gross.
Chickens with large combs, including those weird little walnuts on our silkie boys will need protection. Bag Balm protects the delicate skin, but doesn't keep the moisture in. How? I have no idea and it's too early for that. I'm not a scientist. I just know it works and vasoline doesn't because it keeps the moisture in. (Grammerly would like you to know that gasoline does not work either.)
Moving on quickly because we've got a lot to do today! Water heaters. The temps will rise above freezing during the day, so don't waste your money. Heaters. Unless you know for sure you won't start a fire or lose power, don't use them.
Showgirls, strippers, frizzles, late molters, babies... you will need to keep a closer eye on them. They may have to come inside. I know it's gross, but cold can kill them. Maybe not the first night, but after repeated nights it can. We have a girl in one of the bathrooms right now.
As I type this the temps are not supposed to be much under freezing, but you need to keep track of it throughout the following week starting Sunday night, January 5th. You never know what is going to happen with our weather.
I hope 2025 is treating you well!
-Stephanie
PS - I never feed corn. It's just too warm down here for most of the year for them, but this next week is a great time to add that. Most brands of scratch, other than Texas Naturals, have it as an ingredient. As well as electrolytes if you can get your hands on them. If you use multiple waterers, make one an electrolyte one. Have clean water available, too. I'm sure I've forgotten something so please let everyone know what helps your flock in the Winter!
Comments