Sponsored Post Win an Ecoglow 20 Chick Brooder from Brinsea with your best tip for winter!

[JenniO11]

Winter is coming...

How do your chickens deal with the cold? With winter on its way, we want to hear all about your plans to winter-proof your coop or

help your chickens adjust to the cold. Share with us ONE tip about how you winter-proof your backyard set-up in 200 words or less for a chance to win an EcoGlow 20 Chick Brooder from Brinsea, valued at $74.99!!!

To enter:
1. Leave a reply to this thread with ONE tip, trick or comment about how you winter-proof your coop or get your chickens ready for winter. The reply should be HELPFUL and CREATIVE!
2. Your reply must be less than 250 words to qualify!

Enter before October 22, 2013 for a chance to win!

Please read our terms and conditions here, and GOOD LUCK!

​

A note from Brinsea:

Brinsea

was established nearly forty years ago by an engineer with an interest in breeding birds. The interest became a passion, and the engineering knowledge channeled his enthusiasm to produce the most innovative incubators and brooders available.
The intervening years have seen the successful application of more patents than the rest of the small incubator industry combined, culminating in 2003 with the introduction of the world’s first Contact Incubator. Although Brinsea

is the world leading incubator manufacturer, it is still very much a family business devoted to the production of bird breeding products of the finest quality and value for money, and to the best possible service to customers.

To learn more about their full range of incubators, brooders and breeding accessories visit http://www.Brinsea.com and don’t forget to check out their web special offers.

 

[Bangarang64]

This is not a method to make your pet's home a sauna. It is a design to keep any critter from freezing in harsh conditions.

1. Get yourself a Work-Light or a Clamp-Light:


Here in the states, you can pick up the clamp light for about $6.50


2. The next item you need is a common Cement Block

Hopefully you have one laying around. If you don't, they really aren't very expensive.

4. Now you need to place the light inside the block.
If you are using the clamp-light, the metal reflective cover comes off easily before you have a bulb mounted,


5. Next, you need to utilize the Thermo-Cube:


It shuts off electricity to whatever is plugged into it when temperatures reach 45 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes on at 35 degrees.
Seriously, get one. They sell for under $15.

6. Plug your light into the Thermo-Cube, and plug the Thermo-Cube into your extension cord, and plug the extension cord into your nearest power outlet.

Edited for less words - (didn't see the 250 word limit)

 

[Wisher1000]

My best tip is to take steps to prevent frostbite in your chickens. This is done in three easy steps. First, make sure the air inside the coop is as dry as possible. Plenty of ventilation, clean, dry bedding, and no leaks in the roof or drinking water containers will accomplish this. Second, provide roosts that allow the birds to protect themselves from the bitter cold. Chickens are perfectly capable of protecting their most vulnerable parts (comb, wattles, and feet) as long as they have the proper roosts. Roosts should be made of wood, not metal or plastic, and should be wide enough that the bird's feet are completely covered when it is sitting. A 2x4, positioned away from drafts, with the wide side horizontal, is excellent. The chicken will settle down over it's feet, then tuck it's head under it's wing to protect it's comb and wattles from getting too cold. Lastly, don't be tempted to provide artificial heat inside the coop. It is actually harmful for your birds. Warmth inside, and freezing temps outside are a recipe for increased moisture and can even cause condensation to form on interior surfaces. Chickens are better off in natural temperatures and naturally dry winter air than they are in the warm moist air that a heated coop will provide. So, for your birds sake, give them a dry home, proper roosts, and no artificial heat, and you will help keep frostbite from being an issue.

 

[ozexpat]

My tip for winter is to have your chicken coop as far away from winter as possible











Sometimes you have to get the flock out of here!

 

[apollora]

To keep the water from freezing you can place a couple ping pong balls in a water dish, the movement from the balls moving is enough to keep the water from freezing !

 

[DaddyBird]

We have taped all the classic holiday specials (Rudolph, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Frostie,...) and run them on a loop in the coop via an old analog TV and DVD player. The heat from the TV and DVD keep the coop nice and warm without the danger of a heat lamp. The light from the TV improves egg production. And the flock stays entertained and happy with the classic cartoons.

 

[lalaland]

thanks everyone, I am soooo excited! and I read every tip on this thread and found some really good ones. btw, this is the first contest I have ever won!

 

[cyberturtle2]

I cover the inside of my coop in reflective foil from top to bottom(even the roosts) it looks like a Christmas tree in there but increases temp by about 10 degrees all winter long! it has worked so well I don't even need an electric heater in my water anymore....even in the cold north temps...

 

[BC Chickens]

Since our girls free range in pastures all year long and we're in New England, the snow can put a damper on their outdoor activities. So, while the colorful autum leaves blanket our pastures we mow them up and store the clippings in large, heavy duty trash bags. Then when it snows we shovel (or snowblow depending on the snow's depth) trails for the chickens and cover the trails with the grass/leaf clippings. Not only does it protect their feet from the cold snow but they always seem to find something to munch on in the leaves.

 

[Leahs Mom]

We like our chickens to be able to get outside every season of the year and possibly even find some natural food in the coldest weather. One thing we do to help facilitate this is to create a deep mulch/litter in the outdoor run. The chickens can continue to scratch and dig through it and are often able to find live bugs and worms all year long.

To accomplish this, we've used several materials. We kept piles of wood chips when we had trees removed, and are also able to get them free from one of the local tree services. After the chips cure, we dump them in the run in piles. The chickens love to scratch through and distribute it throughout the run quite nicely. We continue to do this throughout the warmer months a little at a time until the mulch/litter is quite deep. In addition to, or in place of, the wood chips, fall leaves, grass clippings, etc. can also be piled into the run. We also put the deep litter from the chicken coop into the run when we clean it out so that it can further break down and add to the deep mulch we are creating.

This provides a "warm floor" for the run, and makes a great occupation for the chickens during the boring winter months. They love scratching to find those "live food" sources, and it keeps the run from becoming an impacted, muddy mess.