Hi from Meriden CT.

[Jhbear]

My new chickens just started laying, everything seems to be going pretty smoothly so far. Anyone from CT have advice for keeping them happy in the winter here. Everyone keeps telling me I need electricity for the coop but everything I've read says you don't.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

A long as you have a well-built, well-ventilated, draft-free coop you dont, other than convenience for lights and heated waterers. Believe me, it gets cold up here.

 

[Jhbear]

Thanks for the info. I am brand new at this, I need all the help I can get. The whole coop is double walled, the windows just have hardware cloth in them for now, it's been pretty hot here lately. I plan on making some hinged shudders before it gets cold. I'll try to post a pic when I figure out how. Is it ok to leave the windows open in the summer?

 

[Kevin565]

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard.

 

[Fierlin1182]

Hi and

It's fine to leave the windows open, as long as there is sufficient protection from predators. The hardware cloth sounds good for that.
Chickens are surprisingly hardy in the cold, there isn't really a need to have electricity in the coop.

Don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have, and enjoy the site.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

 

[addicted2pits]

 

[brownboi2012]