Coop buttoned up for winter, How did I do?

[muddler6]

Well, I figured that this would be the place to get some honest info on how I did and if I am ready for winter. This shows my coop and run set up for my 5 Bantam Cochins. I do have a light and heat lamp on a timer inside. I have a heated birdbath that I will put in the run (With a jug or something in the middle so nobody climbs in it). Well, how did I do?

 

[First-time-raising]

Sounds like you have everything covered ....Looks good

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

YOU DID A GREAT JOB!
PLEASE DO NOT USE THE HEAT LAMP YET.

You need them to feather out as much as possible and you want them to start getting used to the cold weather.

Try to hold off until temps dip to the low 20's

I don't use mine until temps hit the low teens.

AND remember if the electric goes out they won't have the heat lamp.

Good luck this winter

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Looks good....I don't use a heat lamp until dipping in the teens or zero with windchills....they will be fine keeping each other warm....feed alittle cracked corn or scratch before roosting time to help them keep warmth in....they need to not rely on heat lamps.....need to adjust to cold weather as flufnstuff says....

 

[mudhen]

Hey, thanks for that info. When the temps started to dip in the 40's here overnight I have the heat lamp already working.
It only makes sense for them to feather out more first. I'll adjust the rheostats tonight!
Thank again, I always learn something new here!

BTW, the coop and run you got there looks like your birds will be comfy and cozy this winter!

 

[muddler6]

Thanks everyone, this is my first winter with the little critters. I have the heat lamp set up, I only had it on a couple days for an hour at 2:00 AM when it got really cold all of a sudden. I have turned it off but I do give them some light (40 watt bulb in a ceramic fixture mounted high on the wall of the coop), I have read that this helps with keeping them laying eggs when there is less natural light, seems to be O.K. I am getting an egg a day from my hens that just started laying last week. I appreciate the approval from everyone though. My wife says these birds "live better than some folks in town". Can't argue with her too much I guess.

 

[chickensrme]

Is there a wire floor in the coop or is it a solid floor

 

[muddler6]

I have a solid wood plank floor, I put plastic runners (like the kind some folks put in high traffic areas of the house to protect their rug) over the planks and wood chips on top of that. Makes clean up pretty easy. I rake most of the wood chips out, then pick up the runners and dump it all into a garbage can, then off to the compost bin.

 

[chickensrme]

I just dint know because if it was wire i was going to say to put some skirts to block the wind. The coop looks very good. I think you thought of everything.

 

[muddler6]

Thanks, I learned a couple things while building this one that I am using for coop #2 and plans for a tractor. THe great thing with the coop in the picture, I only spent about $60 total for everything, including the chicken wire, presure threated wood for the A-frame run, etc. I used alot of recycled material, freebie stuff from friends and family, etc.