Yes, chickens can freeze to death if they are exposed to temperatures colder than they can handle for a prolonged period. It’s not common though, especially if you are providing all the basic things your backyard flock needs to keep them safe from the elements.
While I was writing we ran into the question “Will chickens freeze to death in winter?”.
Let us dig a little deeper. Yes, during the winter months, chickens can freeze to death. Even though they can live in very cold temperatures, but prolonged exposure to the cold can cause them to die. Chickens that are not in good health and coops that are not prepared for the winter can also be a contributing factor during the cold weather.
Can chickens survive freezing temperatures?
Honestly, they are much better in cold temperatures than they are heat tolerant. Some breeds of chickens are better in cold climates than others. If you are in a location where there will be a lot of snow, you want to make sure you get the breed that can handle the colder weather better.
Do chickens need to “rest” before freezing?
Yes you should let the meat rest for a few days. However if the roosters are mature, they will probably be tough anway (even after resting). They are probably only good for stews. I’ve heard to let them rest for 24hrs at least otherwise the meat will be tough due to rigor mortis. I also let mine soak in a salt water brine for a few hours.
Can chickens be scared to death?
And yes, a chicken can be scared to death. Shock can take them down, fast. What can you keep with chickens? Relaxed hens are less likely to be a problem, but it’s still a good reason to keep the smaller creatures away from the chickens.
Yes, they can choke to death on bones, food, artificial chews, or random crap they like to pick up. The chances of them choking on kibble is almost zero, and the chances of them chiking on bones and chews of any kind are very low.