Bitter cold coming-leave chickens in coop or open pop door and let them choose?

[bmetz]

I'd use zips ties. The tarps don't have to fit exactly or go all the way to the top. Chickens are short.

Haha agreed

 

[bmetz]

I feed and water inside all year...

I have mine in the run because not really enough space inside plus didn't want to worry about spilled food/water

 

[chickens really]

I have mine in the run because not really enough space inside plus didn't want to worry about spilled food/water

A few days won't be an issue and mine have never spilled water. Definitely my Ducks are fed outside though.

 

[bmetz]

I used good longish wood screws around the frame right under the roof/eaves. Still has some ventilation. I just start on one side and strecthed it around. On the first corner I put the screw down the frame fairly tautly minimal wind there. I also banked all around with snow . Snow is a good insulator and FREE. At this point I'd rather pay for it. Only when I need it. Getting snow today. Not much tomorrow 4-8" up to 10" maybe. But we got some rain recently. Snow is too hard/crunchy to shovel now. Hopefully we get a more southerly wind and hence fluffier snow. I would suggest you cover every side of your run you never know which way the wind will blow.

-9F this morning a 0730 my birds weren't coming outside. Up to them not me. I've been out there every hour( retired) checking for eggs and putting out new water as this ACV week. Between yesterday and today so far they've drunk 3/4 gallon. 4 Birds. And they are congregating up in the coop today. The 2 SLW stay down in the run more. I put down a heavy layer of pine shavings with PDZ.Gonna be around 20F today below zero tonight but not even down to -10F. They seem to be doing good. I think they would love to get out a forage. I keep telling them spring is coming.

I just have a dog kennel type run covered in hardware cloth all over. I do have a privacy fence around the yard where the run/coop are so that should help some with the wind at least. Mine seem like they are outside all the time except to lay. They are always outside every time when I get home from work(getting about dark by the time I get home around 5:30) and come in when I go inside. I wish spring was here now!

 

[fldiver97]

I now use zip ties, quick and easy....

 

[bmetz]

Just not sure whether to leave shut in coop and bring food/water inside or to put up wind blocks on run(not a bad idea anyways in general) and allow access outside? Concerns are spilling water inside and I don't know how much moisture I get in there/how well ventilated the coop is. If I leave out- will they be way too cold etc?

 

[chickens really]

Just not sure whether to leave shut in coop and bring food/water inside or to put up wind blocks on run(not a bad idea anyways in general) and allow access outside? Concerns are spilling water inside and I don't know how much moisture I get in there/how well ventilated the coop is. If I leave out- will they be way too cold etc?

Only you will know in the end what needs to be done...Best wishes... it's all trial and error with Birds...

 

[bmetz]

I think I have decided on keeping them in the coop. Going to put their water on a patio block/paver in shavings for more stability since I added a whole bag of shavings on top of the bag of koop klean that was already in. I will add a flock block in there to try to help with boredom. Where did you guys get your either clear tarps(not sure if such a thing) or heavy duty plastic? I think mine would go stir crazy with all sides covered and not being able to see out!

 

[chickens really]

I think I have decided on keeping them in the coop. Going to put their water on a patio block/paver in shavings for more stability since I added a whole bag of shavings on top of the bag of koop klean that was already in. I will add a flock block in there to try to help with boredom. Where did you guys get your either clear tarps(not sure if such a thing) or heavy duty plastic? I think mine would go stir crazy with all sides covered and not being able to see out!

Any hardware stores sell vapour barrier plastic. Attach with zipties

 

[Barbs Girls]

I think I have decided on keeping them in the coop. Going to put their water on a patio block/paver in shavings for more stability since I added a whole bag of shavings on top of the bag of koop klean that was already in. I will add a flock block in there to try to help with boredom. Where did you guys get your either clear tarps(not sure if such a thing) or heavy duty plastic? I think mine would go stir crazy with all sides covered and not being able to see out!

Good idea- our first brutal winter in NWI too!