- Apr 27, 2012
- 3
- 1
- 62
Hello! I have a bunch of questions to better the health of my chickens this winter. Last winter they seemed to do just fine, but I am concerned about them this winter.
The chickens- I've got 4 RIR (one just died from staying outside alone all night, we didn't realize it hadn't gone into the coup like they all normally do. ). They are currently not laying any eggs (which I've heard is normal in the winter?). Also they are loosing their feathers on their necks. Is it normal for them to molt during the winter or is something else wrong with them? Should I keep them inside their coop during the winter? If I leave the door open for them, snow or rain they will go out. (they have shelter under the coop) it gets very cold at night so we were putting the red light heater in there, but reading the forums around here I realized that is a big no no? Even if the temps drop below 0 I should keep the light out of there and they will be fine? I am just afraid to go in there and find them all frozen. :\
The coop- a mansion of a coop that my brothers built. Everything is pretty air tight- perhaps some small cracks here and there. We lost our very first batch of chickens to a weasel that got in the coop due to us tightly cardboarding over the broken window for a night (thus we now leave not even the slightest opening anywhere). I've been reading proper venting is key though. We have high rafters, but they are closed off on either end. The highest perch is at least 4 feet off the ground with a lower one that is 1-2 feet off the ground, but they always hop up to the higher one. Can a perch be too high? I put hay down on the floor for a little insulation- should I use saw dust instead? I was also reading about sand baths? Are these necessary for winter?
The feed- Do you need to change up their food at all during the winter? We just switched our plastic feeders for a rubber bowl because the water kept freezing in the plastic and breaking it. But they seem to be spooked by it and aren't eating as much. Will they grow accustomed to them? I have been putting the water and feed in their coops at night to keep the water from freezing, should I leave it outside to minimize moisture? Do we need sand/ grit available even if they are outside when they eat? I've been putting it on the ground near their feeders but it keeps getting covered with snow, can/should I put it in with their food?
Sorry that is so many questions! I know everyone does things differently, but I want to make sure that my chickens are healthy and happy! Any and all input is GREATLY appreciated from me and my chickens
Thanks!
Aly
The chickens- I've got 4 RIR (one just died from staying outside alone all night, we didn't realize it hadn't gone into the coup like they all normally do. ). They are currently not laying any eggs (which I've heard is normal in the winter?). Also they are loosing their feathers on their necks. Is it normal for them to molt during the winter or is something else wrong with them? Should I keep them inside their coop during the winter? If I leave the door open for them, snow or rain they will go out. (they have shelter under the coop) it gets very cold at night so we were putting the red light heater in there, but reading the forums around here I realized that is a big no no? Even if the temps drop below 0 I should keep the light out of there and they will be fine? I am just afraid to go in there and find them all frozen. :\
The coop- a mansion of a coop that my brothers built. Everything is pretty air tight- perhaps some small cracks here and there. We lost our very first batch of chickens to a weasel that got in the coop due to us tightly cardboarding over the broken window for a night (thus we now leave not even the slightest opening anywhere). I've been reading proper venting is key though. We have high rafters, but they are closed off on either end. The highest perch is at least 4 feet off the ground with a lower one that is 1-2 feet off the ground, but they always hop up to the higher one. Can a perch be too high? I put hay down on the floor for a little insulation- should I use saw dust instead? I was also reading about sand baths? Are these necessary for winter?
The feed- Do you need to change up their food at all during the winter? We just switched our plastic feeders for a rubber bowl because the water kept freezing in the plastic and breaking it. But they seem to be spooked by it and aren't eating as much. Will they grow accustomed to them? I have been putting the water and feed in their coops at night to keep the water from freezing, should I leave it outside to minimize moisture? Do we need sand/ grit available even if they are outside when they eat? I've been putting it on the ground near their feeders but it keeps getting covered with snow, can/should I put it in with their food?
Sorry that is so many questions! I know everyone does things differently, but I want to make sure that my chickens are healthy and happy! Any and all input is GREATLY appreciated from me and my chickens
Thanks!
Aly