How do you get ready for winter?

[aart]

I read most of the 4000 other threads about winter and cold weather

 

[Smuvers Farm]

About the only heat I would bring into my coop would be radiant heaters. As with brooders, radiant heat is much safer than a heater or heat lamp.

Our chickies get a hand full of BOSS in the mornings, their FF right around noon, and then some boiled egg mixed with something in the greens family in the afternoon. Plus, whenever the PIC goes outside to *play* with them, he gets a small bowl with scratch and meal worms he gets to toss around while he chases *da boids*!

We check their waterers 2x a day, to include breaking up any ice that has formed and taking the bigger chunks out, while also tapping the nipples to make sure they are still in working order.

We are currently running a bale of hay into their RUN to keep them occupied. They peck at it and stand on it and are generally thrilled with it.... however, I wouldn't use it as bedding unless it was mulched/finely chopped. I just see it getting damp and moldy, and not very absorbent at all.

As for boredom, we switched out their sawhorse roost for an old above ground pool ladder. We're moving a stump into their run as well as the added hay bale. I want to find some bigger tree limbs to put in their for them to play around in.....

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

About the only heat I would bring into my coop would be radiant heaters. As with brooders, radiant heat is much safer than a heater or heat lamp.

Our chickies get a hand full of BOSS in the mornings, their FF right around noon, and then some boiled egg mixed with something in the greens family in the afternoon. Plus, whenever the PIC goes outside to *play* with them, he gets a small bowl with scratch and meal worms he gets to toss around while he chases *da boids*!

We check their waterers 2x a day, to include breaking up any ice that has formed and taking the bigger chunks out, while also tapping the nipples to make sure they are still in working order.

We are currently running a bale of hay into their RUN to keep them occupied. They peck at it and stand on it and are generally thrilled with it.... however, I wouldn't use it as bedding unless it was mulched/finely chopped. I just see it getting damp and moldy, and not very absorbent at all.

As for boredom, we switched out their sawhorse roost for an old above ground pool ladder. We're moving a stump into their run as well as the added hay bale. I want to find some bigger tree limbs to put in their for them to play around in.....

I would not use hay long term if you don't stay below freezing as it does mold. Here we freeze solid as a rock. In spring as things thaw we clean out the hay, though we have left it to compost in place in the run without any problems from it.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I would not use hay long term if you don't stay below freezing as it does mold. Here we freeze solid as a rock. In spring as things thaw we clean out the hay, though we have left it to compost in place in the run without any problems from it.

That makes sense. Summer of 2016,we moved here from El Paso thinking we'd FINALLY get some snow... .... yea... it snowed more in EP last year than it did here!!!!

 

[Bridger Davis]

I stop providing swimming water when it freezes thick enough in the day that breaking it again and again is too much work. Or, when I unhook the hose for good, but that's purely because I am not hauling 20gal by hand. I know, not very specific.

Last winter my ducks got pool water until it was freezing solid in a matter of hours. Wild ducks will swim whenever they can find an unfrozen spot due to current or whatnot, I figure domestics can do the same.

SPecific enough. Thank you! I probably would have the energy to fill the pool by hand when we disconnect the hose but I agree, I don't want to be breaking ice during the day. However, a lot of times during the day it is in the 40s here so that's good! Thanks again!

 

[The Angry Hen]

I actually don't do an extreme amount of preparing, other than stocking up on food, cleaning the coop one last time before the heavier snow rolls in that way it will eventually build up when winter comes and act as a natural insulation system. Also, I don't use corn in the summer except as a small treat with millet - but I give them some in the winter. Then I will make most definitely sure that the ventilation is perfectly fine but not drafty. And clip the hen's nails and rooster's spurs. Then they're ready!

 

[imnukensc]

We change the lightweight summer bedspread for a heavier comforter.

 

[RodNTN]

Not a good idea. The steam encourages frostbite. Maybe if you're in a more southern clime... but even then, most birds I've had hated oatmeal.

I guess to each his own, my birds have always done fine with me feeding them hot oatmeal

I haven't seen any ill effects from feeding a warm meal to them, mine love oatmeal, both dry and moistened. The moisture coming off the oatmeal is no different that the moisture coming off of the breath of my goats, donkeys or even me. Good air exchange keeps that moisture moving on. That's been my experiences.

Of course, Banty, if you have had ill effects from it, I wouldn't suggest feeding it!

This is my first winter with my flock and here in Eastern NC the lows dip into the mid to upper 20's some time but most nights stay above freezing. Form what im reading my birds shouldn't need any extra heat source with our temps. Am I accurate to assume they will be fine without a heat lamp. Should i close my 4 vents at night. The top is rafters with vents as well and I planned to leave those open and close the side vents. Any thoughts?

I'm sure that your birds will be fine without heat, and yes! Leave your vents open Ventilation is always needed in the winter! I only use artificial heat because of a few of my birds that don't do good at all in cold temps.

 

[RodNTN]

I read most of the 4000 other threads about winter and cold weather

Haha, so did I I just wanted to create one of my own so I could read everyone's posts

About the only heat I would bring into my coop would be radiant heaters. As with brooders, radiant heat is much safer than a heater or heat lamp.

Our chickies get a hand full of BOSS in the mornings, their FF right around noon, and then some boiled egg mixed with something in the greens family in the afternoon. Plus, whenever the PIC goes outside to *play* with them, he gets a small bowl with scratch and meal worms he gets to toss around while he chases *da boids*!

We check their waterers 2x a day, to include breaking up any ice that has formed and taking the bigger chunks out, while also tapping the nipples to make sure they are still in working order.

We are currently running a bale of hay into their RUN to keep them occupied. They peck at it and stand on it and are generally thrilled with it.... however, I wouldn't use it as bedding unless it was mulched/finely chopped. I just see it getting damp and moldy, and not very absorbent at all.

As for boredom, we switched out their sawhorse roost for an old above ground pool ladder. We're moving a stump into their run as well as the added hay bale. I want to find some bigger tree limbs to put in their for them to play around in.....

Great tips! I wouldn't use hay year-round. I use pine shavings in spring, summer, and fall; only in the winter do I use hay. As you said, the birds love to peck around in and on it, and it keeps my chickens warmer than shavings do.

A few of my girls love making nests of hay in the corners of the coop, behind a bale of hay; or in a nesting box, and get all warm for the freezing nights I just think that hay is better in the winter. Of course, I watch out for mold and remove any wet or moldy patches of hay.

 

[digbychris]

I'm pretty hands off and keep things simple all the time, including winter. Having said that, I do more in the winter just to keep them healthy. In warmer months my flock free ranges, but I do my best to keep them cooped up with access to their run in the winter or when especially cold. Because of that, I feed and water more. I especially clean the coop much more often. We've had a few mild winters here the past couple of years so letting them out is a good thing to do when possible.
I just had a convo on here with another member regarding heat lamps. I use them, 2 of them. In addition to providing warmth I put their water pans close by to keep the water thawed. I hang them approximately 2.5' from the floor, and spaced several feet apart. I happen to have 2 pullets almost two months old that I have noticed sitting under them already.
Because they aren't free ranging I make sure to keep grit and oyster shell in a pan and I also toss some out in their run. If I still notice a soft shell or 2 I will mix some up in their feed.
As for bedding I use straw just because I happen to have it for the horse barn, etc already. Every week or so I shovel the coop out into the manure spreader and spread it to help the hay next spring/summer. I typically have plenty of horse manure as well so it works out. If I stay on top of it it's not a bad job.