Alright y'all, I want to hear how you are all winterizing your coops!!

[LOTSAGIRLS8]

I FORGOT, WE ALSO HAVE A RED HEATLAMP FOR REALLY COLD DAYS. IS THIS TOO MUCH?

 

[KathyJB]

Since it's still in the 90's here I haven't done anything. When it does get cold, I'll shut the windows and put in a heat lamp for the really cold days. Well maybe I'll shut the north facing windows and crack the southern facing windows.

 

[Pozees]

I just got a new handmade coop with spaces between all the boards, and since it gets cold at night in winter accompanied commonly by wind, and very hot in the summer, we decided to insulate against heat and drafts. I am almost done with the firring strips, then will staple that silver-wrapped bubble wrap insulation that comes in rolls, then cover that with 1/4" plywood. Still unsure how I will deal with the metal roof. Will cut ventilation windows I can close and cover them with hardware cloth. Water will be in one of those with the heated base for winter, and will put it inside the coop - it is almost 4' wide and 8' long and will open to a 10'x10' chain link run, which I currently have covered with a shade cloth, but have to figure out a sturdier cover - we have hawks, eagles and owls here - and then have to decide how I am going to attach the coop to the chain link - probably have to cut the chain link where the doors are, which would make one rectangle, which I've never done so I'm quite nervous that I might ruin the chain link. I don't plan to supplement light.

 

[GulfStar]

Although I'm in the south, I do have a winter set-up for the coop. I put boards and wood shavings over the hardware cloth floor, and partially close the top vents when needed. My wife laughed at all the doors and hinges, but I need very good air flow in the summer.

 

[blondiebee181]

I FORGOT, WE ALSO HAVE A RED HEATLAMP FOR REALLY COLD DAYS. IS THIS TOO MUCH?

I usually advise against using electric light or heat because winter is a time for chickens to be relaxing from laying and building up a solid coat of winter fat and fluff. Keep in mind that birds used to a balmy 55 F coop will be less able to cope with cold temps, especially if the electric shorts out. Not to mention the extra bill. Chickens are quite well suited to the cold and I have heard of people in Alaska who do not supplement with electric. Our colonial ancestors never did. As long as you are insulated and draft free, but still well ventilated, you shouldn't need electric. But, to each his own, some people will still insist on it.

 

[blondiebee181]

Since it's still in the 90's here I haven't done anything. When it does get cold, I'll shut the windows and put in a heat lamp for the really cold days. Well maybe I'll shut the north facing windows and crack the southern facing windows.

Be sure that you do keep air flowing throughout winter. Moisture combined with cold in completely air-tight coops is the cause of frost-bite.

 

[blondiebee181]

Although I'm in the south, I do have a winter set-up for the coop. I put boards and wood shavings over the hardware cloth floor, and partially close the top vents when needed. My wife laughed at all the doors and hinges, but I need very good air flow in the summer.

I just got a new handmade coop with spaces between all the boards, and since it gets cold at night in winter accompanied commonly by wind, and very hot in the summer, we decided to insulate against heat and drafts. I am almost done with the firring strips, then will staple that silver-wrapped bubble wrap insulation that comes in rolls, then cover that with 1/4" plywood. Still unsure how I will deal with the metal roof. Will cut ventilation windows I can close and cover them with hardware cloth. Water will be in one of those with the heated base for winter, and will put it inside the coop - it is almost 4' wide and 8' long and will open to a 10'x10' chain link run, which I currently have covered with a shade cloth, but have to figure out a sturdier cover - we have hawks, eagles and owls here - and then have to decide how I am going to attach the coop to the chain link - probably have to cut the chain link where the doors are, which would make one rectangle, which I've never done so I'm quite nervous that I might ruin the chain link. I don't plan to supplement light.

Just to make sure...you will have vents open for winter as well? If the coop is air-tight moisture combined with cold causes frostbite, and may cause respiratory distress. No one wants to breathe in their own CO2

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I am just going to hang a tarp over the pop hole area to keep snow and ice off the autodoor, and throw down some hay so on those wet or frozen days they'll have a nice landing area. Also planting winter rye and wheat so they'll actually have some reason to go forage. My shutter window opens to the se so I may not even close that, lots of sun sunshine in there.

 

[Red Barn Farms]

Our chickens roost and spend a big part of the day in the barn. So, all the winterizing for us consists of hanging tar paper to the interior walls of the barn to close up the gaps between the oak planks. The barn floor is dirt to which we will add a think layer of straw for added warmth. Once the trees shed their leaves we'll also be adding them as well. Pine needles is another good choice of bedding for much needed warmth. Our main flock stays in an area of about 14' x 26' so that's the main area of concern at the moment. We'll also be adding heated waterers. The barn is now well sealed to avoid any drafts but still allow plenty of ventilation along the roof edge overhangs, and two windows.

As for the covered run area? We might add a few tarps to the sides which get the most winds to keep chill to a minimum when the chickens prefer to be outdoors.

Note to self:

We used screws to secure the tar paper so come next spring it will be easy to take down and reused the following winter.

Stock up on a few extra bags of feed in case the roads get too bad to travel this winter. We do not want to run out of feed and not be able to get any if needed. Feed might be harder to get from feed stores due to road conditions.

Have scratch grains available to hand feed as a supplement along with the regular flock raiser. Scratch grains help provide chickens with extra warmth.

Have petroleum jelly on hand in case any signs of frost bite are observed. Normally can be seen of combs, wattles and feet.

 

[canesisters]

I'm in southern VA and this is my first winter with chickens.
I'm planning to cover the big screen door with plastic. There is also a large section opposite from the door and up in the peak of the roof/wall that is hardware cloth - that will be covered in plastic too. The hardware cloth covered spaces along the side walls (about 6" high) will stay open and the windows can be propped just a little big open when it's not bitter cold/wet.
I'm debating about hanging a tarp off the back of the coop (over the pop door) to keep any snow off if it and to give them somewhere dry to scratch around when it's wet and nasty everywhere else.