Chickens are quite hardy and can tolerate temperatures below freezing, but they prefer a warmer climate. The ideal temperature for chickens is about 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, chickens can survive quite well with temperatures down into the teens. In fact, if you place a thermometer in your coop overnight, you will likely find the temperature has been maintained in the thirty to forty-degree area. Each chicken has generated enough heat to keep themselves and their flock mates warm. Many folks in Alaska and North Canada keep chickens throughout the winter without added heat and problems.

Here are some key points to keep in mind when caring for chickens in cold weather:

• Chickens can maintain their body temperatures when the environmental temperature is between 60 and 75 degrees F. Within this range, poultry produce and lose body heat in balance.
• Low environmental temperatures can lead to cold stress in poultry. A chicken’s body temperature lowers when it loses more heat than it can produce.
• Signs that your chickens may be cold include huddling together, holding a foot up to their breast, or puffing their feathers.
• Prolonged cold stress can reduce performance and lead to death.
• Not all breeds of chickens will handle cold weather the same. Heavier breeds such as Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Ameraucana, and Orpington over-winter well. Breeds that are smaller, have less feathering, or have large combs and wattles may need extra care to stay warm, maintain body weight, and keep healthy during cold weather.
• Chicks are much more sensitive to the cold than adult chickens due to their small size and immature feathers. Chicks are particularly susceptible to the cold in their first few days of life, and being exposed to cooler temperatures during this time can lead to illness.
• A good rule of thumb is to start with an environmental temperature of 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit when the chicks hatch, and then reduce the temperature by 5 degrees each week as the chicks grow.
• Chickens themselves add heat to the coop. The hens all piled together adds a considerable amount of heat, about the equivalent of a ten-watt light bulb per hen.
• Provide a heat source, such as a heat lamp or ceramic heater, if your temperatures are extremely low for long periods of time, but use common sense and make sure the warmth is delivered safely.
• Proper ventilation is important to prevent moisture buildup in the coop, which can lead to respiratory problems.
• Provide access to fresh, clean water. Consider using a heated water bowl or refilling throughout the day to keep water from freezing.
• Collect eggs as soon as possible and inspect them for cracks. Freshly laid eggs are 109 degrees F, but they are largely made of water and are prone to freezing.