Chickens in a green house? Warm enough for Maine winters?

[krichardson]

I have 13 chickens, larger breeds in a green house about 5'X8'. It is a hard framed green house. This is their actual coop, no vegetation inside, it has worked out great so far, they've been in it since may/june. They have an enclosed larger outside run. I am wondering about whether or not they will be warm enough in the winter? Any ideas, about using a green house, this is our first year with chickens..

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Thats a bit, odd... I'm sorry, but it is. A chicken can survive cold winters, so Maine winters wouldn't be a bad thing. They can survive there, but my thoughts are..

Do they have a roost? Could you access a wooden coop or something? I'd imagine that the greenhouse would be bad because of the heat it'd generate, the bacteria could just grow and grow, and I wouldn't think there'd be good enough ventaliton/???

 

[krichardson]

Yes, there are two 8ft in length roosts and 10 nesting boxes, two vents on either side and a window that open and closes on the roof. It has a wooden floor (off ground) also. I can modify this anyway I need to to keep them healthy and warm. Any ideas??

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Sounds good, how cold does it usually get where your at?

 

[krichardson]

It can get down to -20 with the wind chill

 

[krichardson]

I have jersey giants, new hampshire reds, buff orpingtons, a salmon favorelle, and plymouth barred rocks, all hearty I think for cold weather

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Well you should be good!

 

[krichardson]

so should I not be worried about frostbite or anything, do you think they will be fine? I have become so attached to them, I would hate to make a novice mistake and have them suffer! I use hay and wood chips on the floor.. I had read something about soiling the floor and letting it thicken and matt down to help generate heat and give them something to scratch at, but of course they werent talking about a green house, suppose that would be a good or bad idea?

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

As long as they are DRY and out of the wind....I'd be worried about ventilation in there. Chickens need DRY air. Moist air will give them respiratory issues, cause frostbite, etc.

 

[wife2abirdman]

I live in Maine also and in the past most of the reasons why we lost any of ours was mostly drafts and lack of water. The water freezes very quickly- we are going to try one of those water heaters that you put underneath the metal waterer this year. Also during the night when it gets it's coldest you could put in a heat lamp. As far as frostbite I have heard you can use bag balm or Vaseline on their combs. The RIR's should be ok their combs don't get very big. You can try keeping a thermometer in there too, so you can check it every day for a bit of piece of mind. Good luck