Do Chicken Coops Protect against Extreme Temperatures?

Your guide to chicken coop temperatures

The issue of chicken coop temperature has been a sensitive subject for many years. This sensitivity lies in the fact that different chickens will adapt differently to temperature. Notwithstanding, coop temperature should never be taken for granted, because the lives of your chickens may just depend on it.  So, do chicken coops protect against extreme temperatures?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about chicken coop temperature. It will also touch on issues surrounding coop cooling, coop heating, and their consequences if any. If you’re in the chicken business, you most probably have a coop or what some people might call a hen house. Like many other chicken coop owners, one major concern you might have is the coop temperature.

You’re probably worried if it might get too cold or too hot for your chickens; if you can put in some warming system; and if such measures might have consequences or not. If you have any of such worries, welcome aboard.

Chicken coop purpose

A chicken coop is a small house built for female chickens for their safety and security. And because they are meant for female chickens, provisions are made for when your hens start to lay eggs. This doesn’t mean we don’t have people who use them for their male chickens. Also, a typical coop contains perches for chickens to sleep. It is usually divided into two parts; the indoor area and the outdoor area. While the indoor area serves as the sleeping area, the outdoor area, or run, is where your birds spend most of the day.

In building your chicken coop, whether by yourself or through the services of a contractor, be sure to consider everything. The floor should be covered with wood chips or other loose materials to take care of droppings and make cleaning easier. Cleaning is very important too to promote the right hygiene for you and your birds. Furthermore, there must be a security mechanism. You should be able to lock your coop at night to keep them safe from predators.

The Impact of Temperature on Chicken Coops

Whether you know it or not, the temperature is one highly ignored factor that can make or mar your rearing business. Chickens need to be kept in a very comfortable environment where the climate is not too cold or too hot. The growing popularity of this business is causing people to take more interest in how their foods are grown. It is important that weather remains as consistent as possible, especially when eggs are involved.

Did you know that hens may stop laying eggs in extremely cold weather? Well, now you know. But that is not the only thing to worry about. Extremely hot weather can do the same, but even worse.  Studies have shown that heat may affect egg production more than cold. A temperature range between 10° and 27° Celsius or 50° to 80° Fahrenheit is often considered the most appropriate condition for your chickens to thrive and lay eggs, I keep a thermometer on the inside wall of our coop.

Light plays a role

But there are exceptions too. Some winter hardy breeds like the Australorp, Orpington, and Silkie Bantams are able to withstand such extreme cold weather. Just ensure they have sufficient food and water and they will keep laying. Some other times, chickens may not necessarily stop laying because of temperature, but because of the absence of light. There are seasons when we experience lower light, especially in the Northern hemisphere. Chickens need about 14 hours of light once they start laying. Where this is absent, they may stop.

You can help such a situation by putting an artificial light in the coop. Just be sure that the light doesn’t disrupt the temperature required for laying to continue. You should also be sure that the kind of light you use doesn’t cause harm to your birds.

Controlling your Coop Temperature

So how do you regulate your chicken coop temperature? How do you ensure that it is neither too cold nor too hot?  What temperature is too hot?  What is too cold?

Except for cold hardy chickens, cold, damp weather can be too cold for your chickens. It is important that you know what breed you have and what weather works best for them. Their history and the kind of weather their breed has been exposed to are also important bits of information that you need to know. In the case of humidity, your chickens will do better with humidity of between 45% and 55%. Whatever the case, it is important that you’re prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions.

Ideal temperature

The best coop temperature for layers is between 68° and 75° F.  For every 1° drop from 68°, increase feed per bird by an extra 1.5g each day for added protein.

Some experts say certain breeds can survive in temperatures of -20° F.  The truth is, several others cannot.  Warm-blooded layers with a somewhat constant body temperature of 105° and 107° F may not survive such low temperatures. There is a limit to how much the pituitary can do.  By reacting to the respiratory system, heat can be emitted to influence the body’s temperature.  While this is very common among older birds, the young ones are disadvantaged and would require a warmer ambient temperature.

Housing Conditions

One way to regulate the temperature of your chickens is in the coop design. But first, you need to know what the temperature within the coop is and that is where a coop thermostat becomes necessary. The temperature and overall climate of your coop can be greatly influenced by the walls and floor, insulation of the roof, heating and cooling systems, ventilation, and lighting. All of these factors can determine how hot or cold your chicken coop will be.

Temperature Zones

There are basically two temperature zones for chickens, comfort and thermoneutral.

Comfort Zone:

In this zone, your birds do not require so much effort to maintain a constant body temperature. Feeding and housing conditions are major factors that determine the temperature here. Changes in the temperature in this zone will often lead to behavioral changes in the chickens. When the temperature is lower, they change their body positions and also huddle together. When it is higher, they change body positions and pant continuously.

Thermoneutral Zone:

From the word “thermo”, you should know there is some “heat” participation here. The birds maintain a constant body temperature through physical heat regulation. Housing conditions and feeding level combine with other factors to control the temperature in this zone.

When temperatures fall below the lowest critical temperature (LCT), the chickens warm themselves with energy from the feed. If temperatures rise above the highest critical temperature (HCT), heat can no longer be dissipated, less feed will be consumed, and production will reduce.

How to Cool your Chickens and Coop

When summer comes, it is almost impossible for your chickens to bear the heat. In the United States, temperatures can rise as high as 100 F in the thick of the summer, and while this is good for us to soak in the sun on trips and holidays, our chickens will suffer. Some may simply stop laying altogether, others may die. So what do you do to cool your coop and chickens during the hot weather?   

Food and water

1. Serve them Cold Water: Apart from making water readily available during this period, it is best to keep the water cold.  Put the water in shallow dishes here and there and drop some ice cubes in from time to time.
2. Serve their Feeds Cold: I hope you take this the right way. Be careful not to freeze the foods you give them, but they can be refrigerated. If they are fruits, these can be chopped into small pieces and frozen before they are given to the chickens.

Environmental factors

1. Create Room for Ventilation: Coop ventilation is very important in keeping your chickens cool. First, add a window and leave it open when they are out.  If you also fit that window with a screen, you can leave it open at night to allow cool air at night, while still keeping the chickens safe from predators.
2. Provide Shade: This is also very important.  If there are no trees or shrubs near the outer areas of of the coop or run, you can use umbrellas. Just place them at several corners of your pen outside the coop to provide shelter from the sun.
3. Frozen Gallon Jugs: You can also fill up your gallon jugs with water and freeze them. Once frozen, take them to your chicken coop and bury them slightly in the outer area of the coop. Place a towel over them. Your chickens will find it cooling enough to relax when the heat spikes.

Heating Up your Coop

Now it’s time to know how to heat your chicken coop when it gets chilly. If you fail to do this, laying hens will stop laying and others might fall sick and even die. So here are simple ways to heat up your chicken coop during the chilly winter.

Coop structure

1. Seal off Leaks: Look out for any leaks or openings and ensure they are properly contained at night. This will ensure that the heat stays in and wind chills don’t increase its loss. You’re likely to find leaks on an old coop due to rot or rust. Be sure to seal them up properly.
2. Maintain Mild Ventilation: As much as you need to seal up your coop to maintain a fairly warm chicken coop temperature, you cannot deny the importance of ventilation. There still has to be space for airflow. This will help you keep the humidity down since warm air can escape for some cooler air to come in. It is best to locate vents on or near the roof.
3. Trap Heat from Sunlight: Use well-insulated windows to tcapture heat from sunlight during the day. Such heat can help keep your chickens warm at night. You should increase the thermal mass of your coop so that heat can be retained much longer.

Behavioral factors

1. Make Sure your Chickens Continue to Roost: Roosting is a common activity for chickens, but it should continue even in cold seasons. When chickens roost, they flock together and can generate heat from each other by interacting with their feathers. This is another great way to keep them warm.
2. Deep Bedding your Coop: This is an improvised method of warming up the coop but it works. It is also very sustainable in terms of litter or coop waste management. Here, you shouldn’t remove or clean up the waste. Instead, add some layers of pine shavings and organic matter and stir the bedding with a rake. Your chickens will do the rest. If done properly and consistently, compost should begin to develop that attracts microbes and this can lead to heat generation and protection against infestations.

Risks involved in Cooling or Heating Up your Chicken Coop

While regulating the temperature of your chicken coop, coop cooling and coop heating have their specific risks. Generally, some chickens are more vulnerable than others and may not adapt as quickly. Also, too much interference in coop temperature may cause chickens to have less adaptive abilities when they go out, and there are several other concerns. In the winter, when you carry out coop heating, avoid the following;

1. Avoid the use of standing heat lamps in the coop.  It’s very difficult to safely use one inside and they often put out more heat than is needed in a small space. Accidents inside can cause a fire that may affect the entire flock. If you can’t find a way to generate heat using simple, passive techniques (deep bedding, insulation, etc.), you can use a flat panel radiant heating pad instead.  There are some made specifically for this type of use which have strong rubber surfaces that can handle the sharp talons.
2. Electricity-powered heat sources will introduce risks.  Apart from electric shock that may occur, a power outage may cause sudden and extreme drops in temperature.  If your chickens depend on an electrical heat source, a standby generator would give you an extra layer of security.

Precautions

1. Only use the deep bedding method if you truly understand it.  It requires careful monitoring and management. If you cannot do it properly, you probably should not use it.  Mistakes here can create health problems for your flock.
2. Never completely seal off your chicken coop during the winter. You must allow moisture caused by heat to go out and allow air come in. This is absolutely necessary for a healthy coop.

Coop Temperature Control

I have seen chickens adapting to winter over the years. It is normal for this to happen. The truth is, chickens can better survive the cold than the heat. Sometimes, you might deny your birds the chance to adapt to certain climatic conditions by interfering too much.

Whatever you do to make them comfortable and keep them alive, try to be as natural as possible. Whether it’s coop heating or coop cooling, the changes should not be too sudden nor extreme. Don’t ever make the temperature in the coop the direct opposite of what they’ll experience outside. This may cause more harm than good.

Impact on Chicken Adaptability

Chicken coop temperature is a crucial aspect of rearing chickens, whether in commercial or subsistence quantity. The survival and health of your chickens may depend on it, and that is why you must be careful and attentive to your chickens’ behaviors.

Trust me, no thermostat can tell you the temperature of your coop better than your chickens. If you want to keep them healthy and continually laying eggs, you must pay great attention to the coop temperature. Just be sure to use common sense and not overdo it.