Help me with winterization please?

[Karab819]

Is that chicken wire on your coop walls? If yes, add hardware cloth, so it has no openings larger than 1/2" anywhere. Nice coop though! The only issue with barn doors is that most are built so small animals can sneak inside, so the coop has to be very secure.
I'd add vinyl sheeting to the lower sides of your run, leaving maybe a foot open on all but the windward side for ventilation. Again, reinforce the wire walls and make sure no critters can dig in from under ground.
Do you have bears? Add electric fencing!!! It will also keep most other ground predators out.
Choosing breeds that do well in cold weather helps a lot, and heated waterers are a must, IMO.
Very nice chicken habitat!
Mary

Thank you!
Inside we did add a layer of hardware cloth over the chicken wire so it is double protected. The run is also very rigid hardware cloth. We don't typically have a problem with predators, they are around but (knock on wood) they haven't bothered at all. Thank you for your advice!

 

[Karab819]

Really, it isn't directly about warmth, but about keeping them dry. Their feathers will do the rest. The run is valuable to allow them to still get outside into the sun in winter. You don't have to cover the whole thing- just the sides where the wind blows in to keep out any snow and still allow good ventilation. I have a smaller, rectangular run for my small flock that I just keep one end (away from the wind) open for access and ventilation.

Thank you!

 

[neo71665]

Thank you!
Inside we did add a layer of hardware cloth over the chicken wire so it is double protected. The run is also very rigid hardware cloth. We don't typically have a problem with predators, they are around but (knock on wood) they haven't bothered at all. Thank you for your advice!

A free chicken dinner will bring out every predator in the county. Hardware cloth is the protection. Chicken wire only keeps birds confined so they are easier to catch.

 

[Karab819]

I agree thats why we added the hardware cloth to everything. Thank you!

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you! Here is the run (about 12x9 feet), it just has a small automatic door. We were planning to continue using the run in the winter....I heard of people putting plastic but I really didnt want to if not necessary!

Where, in general, are you located? (You can add it to your profile).

Winterizing for me in central NC and winterizing for someone in northern Maine are two entirely different things.

If you're in a severe winter area here is an excellent article:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[Karab819]

Where, in general, are you located? (You can add it to your profile).

Winterizing for me in central NC and winterizing for someone in northern Maine are two entirely different things.

If you're in a severe winter area here is an excellent article:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

Thanks so much - my original post I mentioned we are in NH. So it can get pretty cold here.
Thank you for the article!

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks so much - my original post I mentioned we are in NH. So it can get pretty cold here.
Thank you for the article!

I guess I missed it.

It's not the cold so much as the cold plus moisture. Chickens tolerate dry cold well -- they've got built-in down parkas.

Generous ventilation at the top of the coop removes the moisture that comes from their breath and their poop so that it doesn't freeze onto their combs and feet to cause frostbite.

 

[Sally PB]

I used clear shower curtains on the west side (prevailing wind) of my run last winter. I wrapped it about 3 feet around the NW and SW corners. That way, the chickens could be out of the wind, and not much snow came in either. They came out every day except for when it was below zero.

 

[aart]

we are in NH

Good to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!