Preparing the coop, chickens, and everything else for Winter. Tips?

sebloc said:

This is a good outline, but it's a lot to tackle in one thread.
I suggest you start a text document and/or a spread sheet to keep notes in as you browse for your future reference.
I cut and paste a lot of info and links as soon as I find them, then some are later deleted.
Specific advice for your situation would be best addressed in separate threads.


Coop questions:
-Should you worry about snow build up?
Access to coop and run is important to me due to ambulatory issues, we get many feet of snow and accumulations can last for months.
I shovel as often as possible, easier for me to do in small doses. Throw snow as far as possible, plan your piles.
Path to coop across yard is always kept clear and flat, sanded when it gets slick.
I keep part of run area cleared for access to outside of pop door and a path all the way down to clear any accumulated snow off mesh run roof (which can and has come to near complete collapse). Chooks appreciate these open areas and it makes snow melt season much more pleasant exposing the open ground much earlier than if I dint' keep it clear.

-Keeping the coop warm? Well, the chickens produce the heat, but how do you keep this heat maintained in the coop? Whether you have 2 chickens or 50?
A coop can't 'hold heat', in most cases, ventilation makes that moot. Yes, the birds produce heat and keep it contained with their feathers. Better to leave them to acclimate to the temperatures and grow good featherage, than to try to keep the coop 'warm'.

-The freezing point of water is 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). For most, that temperature is bypassed and the water is well on its way to freezing. Rigging up a water warmer/heater is not in most's best interest, due to the fact that this is a heavy causer of fires. Any fire hazard should be eliminated, especially due to the fact that the coop is almost 100 percent flammable. How do you keep water from freezing?
Any electricity in a coop can be a hazard, true heat lamps are the worst, but any faulty wiring or connections can also cause fires. Keep all connections dust free and use properly gauged wiring. I use this for liquid water. Works down to -12F so far, only carry less than a gallon of warm water out each day to top it off for 15-18 birds.

-Vents are important to keeping the coop dry. But. What about drafts? How do you prevent drafts? How many vents should there be? How many should be open? We have 1 window that is always open, 4 vents on 2 sides of the coop, and then one built into the top, like a cupola.
Maximize air flow, the higher the venting the better, but keep strong drafts(ones that would literally 'ruffle feathers' on roost areas) baffled or closed off. How to ventilate a coop depends on many variables including coop size, configuration, and wind patterns on specific site. Must be assessed frequently during different weather events until all/most possibilities are addressed. I use heavy cardboard, appropriately placed, to baffle stronger air flows in winter.

-Good bedding during the winter. Pine shavings still? Run bedding?
I use deeper pine shavings on floor in winter...4-6" instead of the summers 1-2". I'm fortunate that the elevated shed my coop is in has an insulated floor. Run bedding get covered with snow with some added straw.

Chicken questions:
-Can chickens get frostbite? What are the signs if any?
Yes, the bigger the combs and wattles the more likely to get frostbit. Slight graying of tissue indicates mild frostbite, black tissue is deeper frostbite. Drips from waterers, or noshing on snow banks can cause it...along with too humid air at freezing temps.
I do no treating to prevent, except humidity reduction(good airflow, no open waterers, keep poops cleared or dried in good bedding), nor treatment if it occurs, hands off any compromised tissue unless infection develops...some swelling is normal and can last a few days, dead tissue will eventually slough off and remaining will heal up. Have had some pretty drastic frostbite here, it was ugly and worrisome, but all healed up just fine with no infection.

-Letting chickens in the yard during a snow day. Is walking in snow a no?
Some birds will, some won't. I put down thin layers of straw to lure them out. The deeper it is the less likely they will venture into it.
But I've seen many pics here of chooks out in fairly deep snow. Leave it up to them.

-Though I would figure not, if the temperature goes down below -10 (or lower) is supplemental heat needed?
I don't think I would ever resort to supplemental heating, but many do. But I don't get much below negative F teens on occasion, and never for more than a few days at a time.

-How to increase more egg production during the winter.
White, not red, light is needed for about 12-14 hours total per 24 hour period. Deep and wide subject.
I've used it for 3 winters, this year I don't think I will...I have a majority of pullets this year and am curious how it will all play out.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting

-Chicken behavior during the winter. Anything to look for? Ex. Shivering and shaking
Lethargy is what I look for. If I think a bird might be in trouble I toss out some treats, if they are not moving well it may be time for intervention. Never had it happen tho. Hydration is just as important in frigid winter as it is in the high heat of summer. They will often snuggle down in deep dry coop shavings to lounge when it's really cold.

-Eggs freezing. How to prevent this? I know it takes a while for this to happen, but having the assumption that we (or someone) do(es)n't have the ability to make it out.
Frequent gathering is about all you can do, lots of hens laying can help keep them warmer longer, but that's crap shoot.
This guy found himself a solution. I am fortunate to be retired and home most the time, so its easy to gather eggs frequently as well as handle many other chicken management issues.

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