Is it bad to not have a chicken coop but leave your chickens in a small fence with blankets over it for heat?

Question

Is that bad? Will the chickens get really sick and cold? Or is that fine? It's winter and we don't have a coop for them built yet. I am just wondering if that is bad.

Answer 1

Ok, you're going to have to find them a coop pretty soon. They will get cold, they are at risk from foxes etc. and a major issue is that they won't have anywhere to roost. Chickens like to sleep on bars, like you find in coops, and if they don't they aren't happy, and if they get too upset they will never lay.

Answer 2

They won't get sick or cold unless it gets in the teens. Put a cardboard box in the run for them to get in if the wind is up. If you can get some hay put it in a square to block the wind and cold. Prey can get to them but if that's all you can supply I guess you have no choice.

Answer 3

no thats not enough to keep them warm.  You need some form of shelter.  Depending on how many you have you could use a dog house.  But regardless you need something besides a blanket to keep them warm.