raising chickens in the winter.

[tusk]

What's the best way to keep the coop heated and do they like the extreme cold?

 

[gillisjordan]

Hey there,

They need shelter from the elements, we kept some of ours on the farm in a greenhouse with no heat source all winter and it typically stayed above freezing in there (the birds themselves will give off heat as well). One of the biggest things in the winter is making sure their water doesn't freeze, make sure you check it a few times a day. We typically see -30 to -40 and we haven't had any issues besides a decline in egg numbers. I have also read that they deal with cold better than extreme heat!

What is your typical winter weather?

 

[tusk]

I'm in Minnesota so we are around 20s for most of winter and can get 40-

 

[MoonShadows]

Do not worry about your chickens in the winter. Chickens are better adapted to cold temperatures, than hot. Summer heat is much more taxing on a chicken. Other than making sure the water doesn't freeze, and they are out of the elements, there isn't much you need to do. The worst that will happen is maybe some frostbite on the combs...especially roosters. In fact, heating in the winter can encourage mites and other problems. The cold kills everything off.

Jim

 

[PapaChaz]

with proper ventilation, frostbite shouldn't really be much of concern. Make sure you have about 1 sq ft of ventilation per chicken, and that it's over their heads. This will let the moisture out, preventing it from settling on their heads and getting frostbite on the combs. They put a lot of moisture in the air when they exhale!

 

[tusk]

Thanx a lot for the help.