Early Cold weather, what do you do? What is your temp today?

[tigger19687]

So it is 36F this fine wet morning here in the Boston Area. brrrr should go to 65 later
I was a bit surprised that the hens were out at 7am ( and a bit vocal) even when I forgot to close the run gate and they had the whole back yard. Ungrateful freeloaders broke into my morning coffee/Puter time.
One even sang what I mistook for the egg song. Made me go out in flip flops and pj's to look !
Nope. flop came off and get my Fluffy sock all dirty (new compost just laid down for them)

I gave them some fresh feed and pointed out their water (still learning the Cups). They are happy.
I need to drink coffee before I go out there, lol.

So, are they vocal this morning because it is 36F out?

Now that Winter is going to start biting at our heals what are you going to start to do for the Hens?
Do you hold them in the coop a bit longer in the morning? I have not gotten around to doing the Auto-door yet. Give them some scratch corn before bed?
When do you start to do all this?


Thought an updated thread about this would be nice.

OR, we can just talk about how chilly/cold it is starting to get. This is a bit early for my zone to be this cold.... Thanks Canada I still love you

 

[Pork Pie]

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-chicken-keeping

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

 

[tigger19687]

Yup read those, thanks for posting so others don't miss out on it. I should have posted a link to those.
Last updated in 2015, almost 2 years ago.
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[Wyorp Rock]

I'm not quite as chilly as you are...43F this morning compared to mid 50s yesterday. Should get close to 70F today.

Haven't done a thing different. All windows are still open, etc. Late fall, I will add wind blocks to the back side of the coop to keep the North wind from blowing underneath the coop. Chickens do very well in cold weather as long as they have a bit of protection from the wind. Even in winter I have plenty of ventilation in the coop, this is very important - block the wind, but have air flow.

In winter, I always open the pop door at sunrise regardless of temperatures and weather conditions. Mine usually come out first thing to eat/drink, etc. They choose whether or not they want to go back in the coop. Extremely cold/windy days with blowing snow/sleet they spend more time inside. I'll toss a bit of scratch in the bedding on those days instead of in the run. This keeps them busy

I wait until I see everyone eating their normal feed before they get any scratch. Winter, they may get a little scratch in the morning after they have eaten their normal feed and they get a little bit more about an hour or so before roosting.

Biggest thing is keeping water available (unfrozen)- I have found mine drink a LOT in winter.

 

[aart]

I don't do much different in winter as far as feed,
might grow some grain fodder for green treats.

Will take down the shade cloths here pretty soon.
Cull few more birds to get to winter population level.

Eventually close the windows(open eaves ventilate enough for winter) and put the cardboard damper over the roosts to block roost area from drafts from adjacent eave vents.

Once the horizontal nipples start to freeze I'll stick the heater in there.

That's about it.