What Is The Ideal Temperature For Chickens? Understanding Chickens’ Thermoregulation
What is the most comfortable and cozy temperature for us is definitely not so for chickens.
Chickens have a much higher core temperature than us humans, and their ideal temperature sits in the 70-75 Fahrenheit range.
This is the temperature range where they can be observed doing their normal activities without any issue.
Just like our body has certain mechanisms to keep our core temperature constant, so do chickens, so let’s take a look at that!
As with most birds, their primary thermoregulation mechanism is fluffing up their feathers, a mechanism called ptiloerection.
In this mechanism, they fluff up their feathers to create insulating layers that trap warm air in between them.
As their body temperature is much higher than the environment temperature, at about 105-107°F, they are at risk of losing a lot of body heat to the atmosphere, and so these insulating layers are crucial for the bird to maintain its heat.
When the weather gets cooler, the metabolic activity of the bird increases to increase energy expenditure and maintain core temperature.
Fascinatingly though, chickens can deal with much colder temperatures than they can with hotter temperatures, because of this mechanism.
The cold breeze cannot affect the bird because of its plumage, and they do not have sweat glands – two more ways that the bird maintains its heat.
In the warm weather though, the mechanism shifts, and the primary goal now becomes for the chicken to release its body heat into the atmosphere to prevent overheating.
Another fascinating anatomical thermoregulator is its air sac, which allows for excess heat to be dispersed when exhaling.
It is essential to not only understand the ideal temperature for chickens but also what can cause them to have heat stress and as well cold stress.
This is essential to ensure all their bodily functions work as they should and that they are happy as well as healthy.
What Temperature Is Too Hot For Chickens?
With their ideal temperatures sitting in the range of 70s, adult chickens can find temperatures over 90° F too much to deal with.
Temperatures in this range increase heat stress in chickens and make them more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, and can even be fatal.
The degree of heat stress depends on other factors as well, a major one being the weight of the chicken.
Heavier breeds might find even 85 degrees too much to handle, while more lightweight fare much better with the heat.
There are many signs and symptoms to look for to see if your chicken is overheating:
- Overheated chickens will usually pant, breathing heavily through their open beak.
- They tend to laze around and are very lethargic.
- They try to extend their thick load of feathers far from the body
- Decreased appetite, and even issues in egg laying if overheating is prolonged.
Simple ways to help your chickens cool down in the summer season:
- Provide ample shade with trees, and canopies, or spread a sheer black cloth over their run.
- Freeze their feed so they can continue to eat their nutritious food and cool down from within!
- Provide fresh cold water, replenishing it hourly on hotter days to keep the water nice and cold.
- Keep the coop airy and ventilated which allows a nice breeze in.
What Temperature Is Too Cool For Chickens?
Chickens are tough nuts and can withstand temperatures well below freezing, from 32°F to 20°F.
If it gets lower than this, the chicken will slow its metabolism, become discolored in certain areas, and will have a general air of lethargy about it.
Even though they can withstand pretty tough weather conditions, it is best to make sure that you keep their shelter dry and clean, and nicely insulated.
While providing heat is the best option, it should also not be too hot. High-induced temperatures can lead to reduced appetite, low production, or poor-quality production of eggs.
Signs to look for to know if your flock is undergoing cold stress:
- Prolonged periods of perching and fluffed up feathers.
- Standing around lethargically, and generally very inactive.
- A sign that the cold stress has moved from minor to extreme is shivering. They will have bouts of tremors in their body to stimulate the muscles and produce more internal heat.
- Paler colors in feet and neck sacs as blood is withdrawn a little from those areas.
- Disinterest in food or water, overall sense of inactivity, and disinterest.
Simple and efficient ways to keep your chicken warm in the winter season:
- Keep the coop clean and dry, and use double bedding for extra insulation.
- Provide a stationary heat source like a heat lamp.
- Provide extra feed than usual, so the birds can increase their body heat.
- Keep the birds active and grounded by providing environmental stimulation.
- Use heated perches, or heat pads to further help the birds keep warm.
- Provide water heaters to prevent their water from freezing.
A Comprehensive Guide For Optimal Temperature At Different Stages In Chicken,
| Chicken Age | Ideal Temperature In Summer | Ideal Temperature In Winter |
| New Born | 90°F | 95°F |
| Infant | 85°F | 85°F |
| Adult | 70°F | 75°F |
In Conclusion
Taking care of a flock of chickens is hard but ultimately rewarding work and keeping these small but essential details in mind can keep your chickens happy and healthy for longer.
We hope this guide helps you out, and that you learned something new about these adorable farm friends today.
Thank you for reading!
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