More on Chickens and Winter Weather

Considering that most people who have chickens, see them as pets, we get overly worried about them like any other pet.  Most chickens do quite well in cold weather, and depending on how cold it gets where you live might  not, need supplemental heat.  Chickens can handle temperatures down into the teens, especially if they are fully grown and have some coop mates to huddle with during the night.  If you live in an area where the temperature makes it into the single digits I would supply some supplemental heat.  One question that seems to always come up it how high above chickens should the heat lamp be.  Unlike when the chickens are young chicks, I would not point it right at the chickens.  Instead, point it in a corner or somewhere else not directly at them, the heat should radiate and supply enough additional heat.  If you do use a heat lamp be extremely careful, I have know a few people who burnt down there coop because of a heat lamp accident.  The main thing that will help keep you chickens healthy in the winter is keeping them relatively dry, making sure they have access to clean drinking water.  When the temperature drops the water will freeze so remember to bring lukewarm water to them twice a day.  An old trick that helps is to feed them some cracked corn a little bit before the sun goes down.  It is a fatty treat packed with carbs that will keep there metabolism going into the night, giving them internal heat.