Getting read for winter...

[Reurra]

So this will be my first winter with the ladies. My first concern is warmth. We do not have electricity to the "shed" where they live. We dont have the option of trailing an extension cord out there either due to fire danger if the cord arks from getting wet. The "Poulete Challete", as my DH calls it, is actually a large 1 car garage (24ftx12ft) complete with a concrete floor, Ive divided it into a 9x12 section for the main coop, the bantams have a 7x5 section attached to that. The building has 2 windows and 2 doors and 1 big garage door. There is also a set of double doors that cover the garage door, no drafts get in. There are gable vents, but I am skeptical as to their viability since this summer it got really hot and didnt do very well letting the air inside. The windows are vertical sliders that I currently have open 1 inch to allow air flow, but not a big chill since its been nippy at night. I had them open all the way during the hottest days.

Last night it got pretty darn cold. It was 4C (around 40F) degrees. Now the birds did pretty good, they were up and wiggling this morning with no complaints. I am however worried about Stumpy. Since he is ground bound and cant roost, Im worried about him freezing as the nights get colder. It can get -30 C here in the dead of winter. I do have deep shavings, but I always find where Stumpy and the bantams have slept is bare concrete in the morning. The bantams have a roost, but they never go up there, they seem to like cuddling around Stumpy. However, as they get older, I am wondering if that is going to change and they might abandon him on the floor.

My second concern is ventilation. How much is too much in winter? As I stated above, the windows do open, but I am worried about drafts. The bottom of the window is around 2 feet from the floor, give or take a few inches. Im worried that in allowing the windows to remain open 1 inch through winter, the cold air will come through and pool on the floor, chilling the concrete and possibly causing poor Stumpy to freeze to death.

Another concern is greens. It is hard to get greens in this area in winter. Is there something i can get them, like afalfa pellets? Beet pulp or canned corn? I know corn can keep them warm, but too much can harm them. How much is too much? Now and again as a treat I will give all the birds a small can of corn between them. They still seem healthy and happy. But I do know the importance of making sure they get a nice green diet in winter.

Yet another concern is outside time in winter. Its very breezy here. As the cool weather rolls in, so does the wind. Sometimes it does not stop for days. I hate to leave the girls locked up for hours at a time, of not all day. What can i do to entertain them or keep them from picking each other apart? How cold is too cold for their little feet in the snow? Is the breeze going to be too much for them?

Lastly, cleaning the coop in winter. Every morning I get up and sift the shavings for pooh, and clean everything out that is fresh and able to be picked up. Right now I have very little shavings in the coop, enough for them to bed in the corners or the boxes, but not so deep that it is above my shoes. Its about one 40lb bag of shavings in total. As it gets colder, I plan on throwing in about 2 more bales of shavings. I use DE to keep down the ammonia, it does wonders to keep the poo dried. (It does nothing to the earwigs and spiders

..My birds do a better job at eating the bugs) Will they roost all winter? Wont their little toes get cold? Will they think to snuggle into the shavings? The snow drifts here and is very powdery, I dont think i can let them out without them sinking into the snow over their heads. I plan on keeping the water inside the house at night and putting it out during the day, but it still might freeze

even then.

Well...enough lip flapping, any and all ideas would be great. I know people have kept birds long before there were any heaters or electricity, so Im hoping to hear from a few that know what its like and how much the birds can tolerate. (My breed list is in my signature) I tried to get breeds that were hardy to the cold.

 

[Gofygure]

The main enemy of chickens in winter is a cold breeze. Do what you can to keep your coop, particularly their roosting areas, draft-free. Most breeds can adapt to cold, even negative temperatures, if given time to do so. So long as they have some other chickens to snuggle up to and can cover their feet, they'll probably get through the nights in one piece. Circular roosts, like a dowel or branch, leave toes exposed. A 2 x 4 or similar plank will let them cover their feet with their warm feathers.

It sounds like Stumpy has bantams to sleep with? What is your average low during the winter? I imagine Nova Scotia gets quite chilly.

Do use a very deep bedding- you might even want to use a deep litter method. Leave the old bedding, complete with manure, and just toss a new bag or two over it once it gets smelly. The layers beneath compost throughout the winter, generating heat, and can then be removed in the spring.

Any birds with large combs and wattles will be in danger of frostbite if exposed to very low temperatures for a long period of time. From your post, that's what I would be most worried about. I've seen people make "chicken hats" or use Vaseline to protect their exposed bits.

 

[Reurra]

Ty Gofygure

So how do you ventilate while still keeping a breeze off? My coop has 2 luvered vents in each gable, but they dont allow very much flow. The attic is open and not closed in, so the warm air gathers in the rafters. Im worried that will leave a cold floor.

Im thinking of putting down a 4x4 board on the floor of Stumpy's run with the bantams to help keep it warmer than just solid stone.

Their roost is an old pole, the trunk of a thin pine tree. I guess I can nail a 2x4 to it to make it flat. That should help out.

Should i keep the windows open a crack to allow air flow?

Im very fastidious about my birds in keeping them clean, I had no idea the deep litter method helped heating by decomposing. Can that cause the birds to get sick?

 

[Gofygure]

Ventilation at the top of the coop is the best kind for winter. Basically, if the air is circling in the rafters it will do much less harm. Those gusts don't actually make the air colder, but if they make contact with chickens they will evaporate the condensation on their skin. That draws heat from the body and is actually the primary cause of frostbite. I would shut anything at their level or lower and let air circulate overhead.

A little wood platform or even a rubber mat would work well if they insist on burrowing down to the concrete. The question is- can you make them use it?

If their roost is thick enough you may not need to add the plank. Head outside with a flashlight one night and take a look at how much of their feet are covered. If too much is exposed you'll want to find another solution for them.

Regarding windows...a good part of my coop's ventilation (it being a converted shed) comes from two large windows. The supplementary ventilation we added in later isn't really enough without the windows, so during winter I drape a small tarp or plastic sheet over them and affix them to the ground below. They're still open and allow air in, but the tarps act as a rudimentary windbreaker. I'm also lucky in that the windows face away from the regular winds.

As for the deep litter method, if you keep up with adding shavings its perfectly safe for the birds, and it won't even smell bad. Of course, any parasites or diseases shed in the feces will still be present, as they would in any litter, but healthy chickens will be fine. I've even heard some sources claim that the decomposing poo produces healthy organisms for them, but I took that with a grain of salt. However, be aware of the possibility of an ammonia build-up; it's just one more reason to ensure adequate ventilation.

Hope that helps! Our winters here aren't omg-Arctic-conditions-terrible, but we do have frosty nights and I, like you, am not interested in putting a fire hazard in my coops. I've never had a problem with frostbite or hypothermia to date, and chickens really are magnificently hardy little creatures.

 

[Reurra]

Thanks again!

Im pretty sure I can get them onto the board since Im planning on covering 2/3rds of thier favorite sleeping area with it.

I can cover the windows with a large door. They were once large doors covering an opening, but I since installed the windows. I still have the doors though. If I leaned them up against the windows, with just a crack underneath, i wonder if that could be enough of a wind break? The wind comes up from the south west but the windows are on the others sides.

 

[bbaum15]

You really don't want to put doors over the windows because then the chickens won't get enough light in the coop to lay eggs. In the winter I just put clear plastic around mine and that allows light in and no drafts.

 

[mickey328]

It looks to me like you've got a great set up there...shouldn't take much to perfect it I think most of your chickens can tolerate a lot more cold than we'd think. It does sound like you need more ventilation though. I'd put more openings in the walls, just up below the roof and perhaps put an extended eave sort of thing to keep the rain out...a wind turbine on the roof would likely also help a lot. If you keep the roosts down lower where that wind doesn't blow ON them, it'll be just fine. Our coop is tiny compared to yours...we built the walls a bit "short" and extended the roof down over the openings, so that the air can move through it but it's buffered...then we put the roosts in such a position that when they're on them they get no direct wind.

Also, offer a flat perch...like a 2 x 4 on it's side...then if it's too chilly they can puff down over their feet to keep them warm.

Since the floor is concrete, it'll get and hold the cold. You might want to consider putting in an "over floor" (don't know the proper term for it) of plywood with some straw or something under it for some insulation. At the least, cover it really well with a good 4 inches or so of bedding. We use some DE in ours for pest control but use Sweet PDZ for it's drying and odor eliminating properties. We sort of scoop what poo we can and then sprinkle the PDZ and stir it around with another layer of straw (we use straw cuz pine shavings are just too darned expensive for us) We've had them in their new coop for nearly 2 weeks now and there is no odor whatsoever..you can still smell the cut wood. If it continues like this, I think we'll only have to do a thorough clean out about every 2 or 3 months...perhaps more in winter when they spend more time in there.

For Stumpy, I'd recommend offering him a roost he can just step onto...like a 2 x 4 laid across a couple bricks...and/or a tree branch about 2 inches in diameter. That way he'd have a choice as to whether he wants to sleep in the bedding or on the roost...with no flying or strenuous effort. For the most part, chickens will huddle together for either warmth or protection, I've found. Of our 6 only 2 regularly roost...the other four tend to snuggle in together on the floor. Our nights are getting chillier as well, but they're still very perky It's really quite amazing how much heat they generate of their own accord and those feathers fluffed out are excellent insulation. We do have a light in our coop...with a regular bulb in it, but it's not really for generating heat but to give them another couple hours of light as the nights get shorter. We have it on a timer and have it come on about 2 hours before sunup, giving them about 14 hrs a day. I'm hoping that will keep their laying going at a reasonable rate but not so high as to wear them out.

There are all sorts of green things you can give them...summer and winter. We're putting in a cold frame this year so we can keep cold hardy things like spinach, kale, and chard growing most of the time..I'm sure it won't grow huge, but if we can get it to 4 inches or so it'll help. You can also give them veg trimmings from your household use. I plan on sprouting some wheat, rye and other types of grains for them...you can do that right on your kitchen counter and it will give them lots of nice, fresh things to munch on.

There are also things you can grow indoors for your own use and share with the chicks...parsley and basil come to mind I always have a box in the kitchen window sill with basil, rosemary, chives and parsley. I use it in cooking and when it gets too overgrown, I cut some and take it to the chickens. They aren't terribly crazy about basil..will eat a little though...but they love parsley! I think I may put in another pot of just parsley just for them.

When you get an inch or two of snow (or more) you can shovel or sweep it to the sides of the run so the center area is relatively clear...they can walk through a little and will continue to scratch..especially if you throw some treats out there for them.

I don't know what you can do about the water We're planning to use a heated dog water bowl for ours, but that requires electricity. I wonder if there's anything out there that might be battery operated. That might be an option. You can try insulating the container some...just has to be something they won't peck at and ingest. You might be able to set it inside a pipe of some sort that's bigger in diameter and then stuff the space between them with some insulation. I'd make sure it was off the floor inside as well...sitting on that concrete will make it all the colder.

Hope some of this helps
Mickey

 

[NovaAman]

I'd say if you could roof the run with ply, or tuftex, with support for snow build up, you could surround the whole run with 6-10mil plastic, clear or white. Use furring strips and screw to hold it in place even in the wind...
Example...


I realize that these pictures are not the best, AND I have also re-adjusted the tuftex roof to be on an angle for easier snow removal. There is also a door at the human pass through... But you have an idea now of what I am meaning. I filled the run with leaves collected from the fall so that way the girls would have fresh leaves to dig through once a week, they break down surprisingly fast. Was a bit of a pain to clean the run in the spring, but it was worth the effort for them in the winter. Bugs will hibernate in the leaves, and the girls sure do like finding them...

I have a few birds who do not like to roost high. I took two 10in1ft sections of board, then a 2x6x4ft, screwed it to the other boards to create a shelf of sorts to sit on the floor, but up a foot off the floor. I wanted the "Legs" of the shelf to be wider than the roost board to keep it more stable. It never tipped over this way, and feet were able to stay covered.

We live off lake Michigan, so we get a lot of lake effect snow, so I am personally really happy that snow blowers were invented. Nothing like waking up in the morning, and finding 2 foot high drifts blocking your way to the coop. I make sure the way to the coops are completely free of debris before the snow flies... Makes it so much easier to keep paths cleared not only for me, but for the birds as well. My birds did go out quite a lot in the winter when the days were sunny and the wind not to bitter. Their favorite place to head was the garage.

You could run out door power cords to the coop. They have nifty little protectors to go over the ends where power connects. I run my power line along some posts and wire it to the tops. I don't want to risk running it over. I will also run it along the fence lines. I use little shop lamps with clamps over top of my waterers to keep them from being completely frozen. I use a 75watt black light, or red light. This provides just enough heat to keep the water thawed enough for a constant supply, but not to much heat where it'll heat the coop. I clamp and wire the light so it will not fall, and high enough so combs wont get singed when drinking. If you do decide to add heat, you need to be prepared with a back up power source in the event that power fails. I personally would not use them. The chickens will huddle together when it gets very cold, and like birds flying, and penguins, they do rotate positions. Its funny to see actually, or maybe I just have smart birds...

Anyway, I hope I have been some assistance in what ever menial way.

 

[PNWGirl]

I don't know how far away, from your electric, the coop is but have you considered running the power cord through PVC? You were worried the cord would get wet and arc, that would keep it dry and you could go for rather small PVC as you only want it wide enough to allow the plug-in to go through.

Sheila

 

[Reurra]

I have the big plastic 1 gallon waters with the red bases. They are too fat for a pipe lol. Though i wonder if I built a box and insulated the box, then set that over the "tank"? Im going to have to give it some thought.

Sadly Stumpy has no control over his legs other than to stump on them. He cant grip because he seems to not be able to bend his ankle joint. One leg is under him at all times folded and the other sticks out in front and off to the side. As hes grown, its gotten harder for him to walk. Lately he flails his way to where he wants to go. I like the insulated floor idea though, i might just do that to keep him warm. I have a board that will be perfect for that too. The ground here freezes and i wondered if the concrete would get that cold. Im glad someone confirmed it.

Nesting boxes are up 2 feet off the floor and away from outside walls, so they should not get too cold. The perch, you can kinda see in the second picture is about 6 foot long and at an angle. Its about a 4-5 inch diameter.

I might open up the luvers on the vents. They are aluminum, cheap vents. I can open them a bit more to allow air flow. Also I cna see about getting some soffit vents. the soffits right now are closes with tiny tiny holes. Its vinal siding, and real cheap, not very good at breathing.

lol I dont know what i was thinking about the doors going over the windows. I guess clear plastic works, but they windows close right up and should afford no draft, though i dont know for sure about the insulation. Plastic will help Im sure.

Im going to cut a pop door into the run door, right now its a full sized deal that is just a pain. But once the pop door is in, it should close right up with no trouble at night. Im worried about predators in winter. I know its harder for them to get food so they will be peeking around for easier food to get. Ive got most of the run pretty well locked down, but the outer part I guess Im going to ahve to keep locked up until spring.

Its not winter yet, but we are getting prepared! Its been cold already! and the sun is mostly down by 8pm.

Summer went by too fast

I don't know how far away, from your electric, the coop is but have you considered running the power cord through PVC? You were worried the cord would get wet and arc, that would keep it dry and you could go for rather small PVC as you only want it wide enough to allow the plug-in to go through.

Sheila

Im very paranoid of fire, out house is about 60 years old and the wiring has been patched and repatched over the years. Originally this house didnt ahve electricity and the gentleman that owned it before wired it himself, so Im a bit scared to put a cord on any plug lol. Its not so much the coop Im worried about, its the house haha