Don't remeber it being this cold last year! Help me get ready for Winter?

[cluckcluckluke]

Before all you lucky now summer living American's ask, yes I'm from Australia and here it is mid Autumn.
It has already started getting quite cold here and even though I did have chickens last Winter I don't really remember it ( this was when I had just started ).

What things do I need to get together for my chickens? I have 19 hens ( maybe more by the time Winter comes ), 5 chicks ( they are now 7 weeks old ), 1 rooster ( 16 weeks old now ) and 2 ducks.

I do currently have quite a few Meallie Worms and some corn growing so these should help with extra feed, protein.

I am also going to start breeding some maggots ( read an article on it ) and know exactly what to do. That will get more protein.

Here in Aus, well were I am It doesn't get nearly as cold as some places in America. So it's not extreme temps I have to deal with but would like to try and keep my flock as productive as possible over this winter. I should have some pullets start laying right on the start of Winter.

I should, hopefully be able to get tubs of natural yoghurt my flock as well.

So while it is all still fresh in your minds, I would like some help getting ready and getting through Winter as productively as possible.

 

[Judy]

For the chickens, if your coop lets them avoid drafts while they sleep and is well enough ventilated to ensure good outflow of humidity and ammonia, then it sounds like you are ready, to me. (I've never had a duck.)

If you want maximum production and your days shorten below 14 hours, you may want to put a small light on a timer to extend day length a bit by having it turn on early in the morning, then off when the sun is up. Where I live, this doesn't seem to do much if anything. They stop when they molt, then start again a couple of months later, even though it is near our shortest day, which is around Dec. 21 here.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

My coop is well ventilated the only problem is there isn't much wind were it is situated so in the Summer it isn't the best but might be good then in the Winter.

Thanks, Do you roughly know how much timer lights cost? Or know how to make one from a light?
We had a very warm summer this year so my chickens have brought on an early moult. They are already moulting and I had some finish their moult in late Spring.
Hope the light works. I also forgot to add I have just started to give them extra calcium even though they are eating layer Mash. This will help them stock up calcium.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Sorry for the light timer, Will I need electricity to my coop?
Is their some way of doing it with out electric?