First Day of Summer and I'm Already Worried About Winter ...

[AppleMomma65]

I'm getting a LOT of people asking what I'm going to do with my chickens in the winter. Wasn't planning on doing anything more than putting the plastic panels around the open coop/wire areas, maybe wrapping some poly on a bit of the run, laying down layers of dried leaves and straw on the floor and adding a heated waterer. But my mom is saying I need a barn/enclosed "coop" to keep them in over the winter. I thought I've read as long as there is good ventilation and the coop is dry, chickens should be okay. I can add some supplemental heat if long cold spells (?) My breeds are all winter hardy. Thoughts?

 

[rosemarythyme]

How cold does it get (not including wind chill)? Unless you're looking at prolonged periods of -20F or more, the chickens should be fine without you doing anything extra.

 

[AppleMomma65]

@rosemarythyme - I was hoping you'd respond! While it gets quite cold here in N. Wisconsin (5-10 degrees) and we do get a few days of below zero, nothing prolonged/weeks. I was told if I didn't have a way to get their feet off the ground, their feet would freeze, toes would fall off and they would die. I know I can keep all dry and out of the wind. I can add a temporary heat source if there is a long spell of cold weather.

 

[rosemarythyme]

While their feet CAN freeze, I think you're looking at -20, -25ish, possibly plus water/moisture and maybe drafts, for that to happen. If you want a very extreme example of what chickens can survive: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-cold-is-too-cold-check-this-out.1345546/

 

[aart]

Thoughts?

Not without seeing your coop and run

 

[AppleMomma65]

Not without seeing your coop and run

Here you go, @aart when I took this pic, I had a few of the winterize panels on the front part of the coop. I have more for the sides of the coop and would leave top open for ventilation. Would put clear poly or drop cloth on bottom edge of run, run has door I would keep uncovered. Would put straw and/or leaves on coop floor along with my current deep litter method.

 

[Eggscaping]

Here you go, @aart when I took this pic, I had a few of the winterize panels on the front part of the coop. I have more for the sides of the coop and would leave top open for ventilation. Would put clear poly or drop cloth on bottom edge of run, run has door I would keep uncovered. Would put straw and/or leaves on coop floor along with my current deep litter method.

That's actually a pretty nice looking coop! I see a name on it but can't quite make it out...?

 

[AppleMomma65]

@Eggscaping - "Coop! (There it is)"

 

[aart]

Here you go, @aart when I took this pic, I had a few of the winterize panels on the front part of the coop. I have more for the sides of the coop and would leave top open for ventilation. Would put clear poly or drop cloth on bottom edge of run, run has door I would keep uncovered. Would put straw and/or leaves on coop floor along with my current deep litter method.

I would cover all the lower parts under the 'coop'....and the first section(both sides) of the run.
Is that horizontal PVC pipe the waterer?
Would be good if you had coop page with lots of pics inside and out.

 

[AppleMomma65]

I would cover all the lower parts under the 'coop'....and the first section(both sides) of the run.
Is that horizontal PVC pipe the waterer?
Would be good if you had coop page with lots of pics inside and out.

@aart thank you - I value your response! Yes, PVC is waterer and will put an aquatic heating element inside to keep from freezing. Great idea on coop page - where do I do this on the forum?