cold climate coop advice

[juniper rain]

My husband and I are new to raising backyard chickens, and are in the process of designing/building our coop. We have 10 chicks at the moment, that are all still in a large brooder. My question is, we live in upstate new york. Our winters are quite brutal. The chickens we got are all cold hardy, but obviously will need to remain inside for few months. How many square feet per chicken should we have available in the coop for those cold winter months? Or would we just need to keep an area cleared of snow for them? Also, my husband wants to free range. Our coop would have a door that opens in the morning, and closes at night. We live on about 3 1/2 country acres. We have a neighbor and a busy road that flank each side of our property. The road is lined with a row of very thick pines, and the neighbor is a good distance away. We also live on a fairly large river, and our yard is not enclosed. What is your opinion about free ranging in a situation like ours? Pardon my ignorance, and thanks in advance!

 

[Judy]

If you keep an area cleared for them, perhaps roof a part of their run, they will probably go out more than if they must brave deep snow. I know if I live there, I'd want a lot more indoor space for the worst days.

Obviously y situation is completely different, so let me give you a couple of links to articles written by a Canadian member:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-coop-temperatures

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...-go-out-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop

And a rather long thread where this was discussed by lots of diferent people:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/822765/winter-is-coming-checklists-tips-advice-for-a-newbie/0_20

Good luck!

 

[jetdog]

My husband and I are new to raising backyard chickens, and are in the process of designing/building our coop.  We have 10 chicks at the moment, that are all still in a large brooder. My question is, we live in upstate new york. Our winters are quite brutal. The chickens we got are all cold hardy, but obviously will need to remain inside for few months. How many square feet per chicken should we have available in the coop for those cold winter months? Or would we just need to keep an area cleared of snow for them? Also, my husband wants to free range. Our coop would have a door that opens in the morning, and closes at night. We live on about 3 1/2 country acres. We have a neighbor and a busy road that flank each side of our property. The road is lined with a row of very thick pines, and the neighbor is a good distance away. We also live on a fairly large river, and our yard is not enclosed. What is your opinion about free ranging in a situation like ours? Pardon my ignorance, and thanks in advance!

My run is completely roofed and in the winter I wrap the run with a heavy canvas on 3 sides and a clear shower curtain on the front, keeps the snow out and lets the sunshine in, it's actually a lot warmer than I thought and they seem happy. I only do supervised free range time.

 

[thomasboyle]

I do the same as Jetdog. My run has a permanent roof over it (I got tired of shoveling their pen after each snow storm) and I wrap all 3 sides with clear shower curtains in the winter to keep the snow out. It also acts as a solar heater, and often the temp in the run is 10-15 degrees warmer than the outside temperature.

As for free ranging, chickens will usually stay near the coop. Mine stay within 75 feet or so. But you are going to have to deal with predators. You will probably deal with coyotes, bobcat, foxes, raccoons and hawks. If you can't keep them at bay, you will slowly but surely lose your flock. I had to give up the free range idea and instead setup an electric net fence around a large area of yard. The chickens still get plenty of outside time, but they are safe from predators.

 

[juniper rain]

Thanks so much for the great advice. Much appreciated! I think we've decided not to free range totally. Any advice/experience with a movable, tractor style coop, vs. stationary coop? I'd prefer a nice solid structure that remains where it is. My husband on the other hand, wants to build a movable coop.

 

[Circejane]

My DH and I are new to chickens, too, and are having the same discussion about tractor vs. stationary coop. He wants movable, I want a chicken Fort Knox. Decision is still up in the air as we do research.

In addition to the other links provided, I found some helpful info on this blog: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/11/surviving-winter-with-chickens.html I've read conflicting opinions about using sand, but overall it seems like good advice (at least to this chicken novice!).