First Winter with the Ladies

[SusanCranford]

North Texas is getting our first freeze of the winter tomorrow morning and this is our first winter with the ladies. I know our Texas Winters are nothing compared to up north. I am more concerned with the sudden change from mid 70’s to low 30’s and how that will affect the girls. Our winters are very variable going from mid 70’s to low 30’s for several days and back to 70’s. I’m concerned that they won’t get a good layer of down feathers and suffer more with the cold. Maybe I’m worrying too much.

We have nice thick layer of pine shavings in the coop and Tomorrow I plan to put a few more bags of mulch in the run. (I was out of town and giving the hubby directions from afar). I picked up plexiglass Last week and plan to make inserts for the windows that can let some air in for ventilation but allow the sunshine in for warmth. My hubby also made some windbreaks for the run while I was gone so the girls will have a cozy place in the run.

In preparation for January and February when it can get down in the teens and 20’s for several days at a time I plan to install an incandescent light in the coop and install hangers so we can put food and water inside the coop.

is there anything else we should consider? We have 5 girls that are 7 months old (Brahma, buff bantam Brahma, Americana, Black Star and Copper Marian), All but the brahmas are laying.

 

[cavemanrich]

Maybe I’m worrying too much.

Indeed you are,,,, but understandable since this is a NEW VENTURE.
Your chickens are Cold Hardy Breeds. The sudden temp drops from 70 to 30,,, are nothing your chickens cant handle. Things would be different if they were 2 week old chicks, and not feathered out.
Not sure your reason for the incandescent light,,,,, but if for heat,,,, I would skip that option. By then,,, they will build up a better down jacket and will be fine. Most important, is VENTILATION,, Make sure you understand ventilation, and know to avoid DRAFTS. If not totally sure, there are many articles on VENTILATION,, here on BYC. It is OK to use low watt LED if you want to provide some extra light.
Extra light does need to be done properly/correctly to be effective egg production enhancement. If you need to know more about that,, just ask.
Consider a heated water container. There are multiple options. Simplest is a heated dog bowl. I use one, and other home made things as well.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[DobieLover]

X2 what @cavemanrich wrote.
Chickens generate their own heat. You want to keep windows open as long as they do not cause a draft to blow across roost space that will open the feathers on the birds. The feathers hold in the heat.
Your night time lows are warmer than my day time highs. My chickens did great last winter and I keep windows open year round and never added a heat source.

Notice the little White Leghorn in front. The "not cold hardy" little WLH. After our long cold winter last year she still has all of her large floppy comb. No frostbite.

 

[aart]

In preparation for January and February when it can get down in the teens and 20’s for several days at a time I plan to install an incandescent light in the coop and install hangers so we can put food and water inside the coop.

Not sure how you'd fit feed and water in this coop. Might need some more ventilation the coop too, move the cute sign to the door and add a vent there.
Pics of inside of coop would help here.

 

[Callender Girl]

Your birds will probably manage winter better than you will. I agonize over mine here in northern Iowa every year, and they do fine.

When I'm really over the top with worry -- after I have already added pine shavings, insulated coops with bales outside, made sure the electric waterers are working, etc. -- I just look out the window at tiny little sparrows surviving gale force winds and bone-chilling temps and remember that my birds are living relatively cushy winter lives.

 

[SusanCranford]

Not sure how you'd fit feed and water in this coop. Might need some more ventilation the coop too, move the cute sign to the door and add a vent there.
Pics of inside of coop would help here.

agreed on the holes. That’s on the schedule this afternoon. I’ll work on some inside pictures.