-5 expected with 12 to 20 inches of snow/sleet in the next 36 hours

[gardeningsis]

We are getting ready for ice (it is here now) and over a foot of snow. I have added extra bedding to the coop, put up a tarp on the side of outside run (it has a roof) and plugged in the heated dog bowl. Only problem with the dog bowl, sometimes it freezes when it drops below 10 degrees. Last year an acquaintence called me and asked if I would take her little red japanese banty rooster because his comb had gotten frost bit (turned black) and she couldn't bare to look at it. I brought him home did a little tender care and come summer he was once again a pretty boy and a permanent fixture here.

 

[mons02035]

The bottom line is keep any and all wind/drafts away from them. Drafts not temperature are the biggest killers of birds/animals in general. With 45 birds, they will stay warm so long as you block the winds.

 

[carsonseggs]

I'm a little worried too. I went out about 5:30am this morning to check my hens. Yesterday I put the tractor coop on the South side of the house and put a tarp over the open end to help with wind and then turned on the heat lamp. Anyway, this morning I peeked inside and there is snow in the inside and a little on one of the girls. I have a thermometer inside, but couldn't read the temp. I added another covering on the North side of the Coop but don't know if it is enough. I don't have straw bales, but bags of leaves that I put around the outside. My hens are so pretty, I just don't want their combs to get frostbite. Or....should I just bring them in the garage. I'm in Tuttle, OK with 8 degrees and -15 windchill; winds sustain 30+ mph.

Any help would be greatly appreicated.

Thanks,

Josh

 

[WonderChicken]

My coop walls are made from privacy fencing. The small gaps bewteen boards has worked excellent as ventilation thru each season thus far. Today I will be attaching flattened cardboard boxes to the outside of my coop walls to cover over the gaps and add insulation. My hope with this is that if any moisture does build the cardboard will absorb it vs a tarp which will not. I am concerned about frost bite. Does anyone have any experience in using cardboard vs tarps in their winter insulation? Do you think this will be effective?

 

[critterranch]

coragted cardboard works good. it is just not water proof. works good for temporay free insulation.

 

[critterranch]

the more birds you have the better and all in one coop for body heat. even just a 100 watt bulb helps.

 

[abChicken]

two more months

 

[WonderChicken]

The rain has stopped. It's 25degrees now so what is coming down is frozen. I don't have corregated, just flat cardboard boxes. My concern is the humidity that may build if I close up the small gaps between boards so am hoping the cardboard will absorb. I will also be putting petroleum jelly on combs,wattles, legs and feet.

 

[buckaroo's wife]

Its blowing hard here (50 mph+ gusts) and it's in the teens....windchill in the single digits and supposed to be below zero tonight! we have 3-4 inches of snow. I covered my coop vents with towels to keep some airflow but block the snow/sleet. I use the deep litter method which seems to give off enough heat. I have 8 hens and a roo in my coop. Took some hot water out there this AM and everyone seemed to be OK. I have a way to get a heat lamp in there but I worry about adding humidity. I'll probably take some hot mash out there later this afternoon....Good luck with the cold temps everyone!!

 

[OkChickens]

Well so far in this storm I have 12" of snow (expecting 15+) and 3+ ft drifts with the winds blowing at 25+ mph and wind chill around -15 and dropping. The temperature is about 9 degrees and falling. The guys and gals in the coops are doing well! Temp in the coop is around 25 degrees. Not bad for a okie farmer.!

-Nate