how do I winterize my chickens

[pbnjellyfish]

During the winter where I live it commonly gets down in the teen and single digit temperatures and stays there for weeks. I am assuming that since my chickens are not smart enough to get out of the rain they will not be smart enough to get out of the cold either. Is it necessary to lock them in their coop during extreamly cold weahter? I have been told that it is not wise to put a heat light in the coop. What are some things that I can do to help winterize my chickens and their coop/run? In other words, how do you care for chickens in the winter? I have 3 chickens about 6 1/2 months old right now. Their coop is about 4'x4'.

 

[skand]

last year, i gathered cardboard boxes from the stores. We made cheap-o insulation to our coop with them. And also added extra bedding to the floor.

 

[gritsar]

If you have access to hay you can stack some bales of it around the outside walls of the coop. Works well to insulate.