How to raise Backyard Chickens: [CHICKENS-101] Re: And Again, Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

Marvin, Laura is right. High humidity in a cold environment is the single biggest cause of respiratory disease in chickens. And poor ventilation is a good way to get the humidity up way high in a closed up coop. I have never had a healthy adult chicken die from cold and some have gone through as low as 18 below zero. However, not yet full grown or ones that are not in really good health may be at risk when it gets really cold.

Eric

--- In CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com, "Laura A. Roberts" <laura0554@...> wrote:
>
> Marvin,
>
> When you say you taped the vents closed- are they low to the
> ground and causing a draft? If not, I would open them up! More chickens
> die from poor ventilation than cold. Good air quality is much more
> important than the temperature, as long as they are not wet or in a draft
> that could chill them. They will fluff up their feathers and roost close
> together and maybe even put their heads under a wing.
>
> I rarely worry about the temperature, other than a brooder light
> that turns on at 3am and provides some warmth.
>
> Laura
>
>
>
> Laura Roberts
>
> R Half Pint Farm
>
> Spotsylvania, VA
>
>
>