How do you keep your coop warm?

[silkiemelon]

Ok... so I shouldn't get a heated waterer? It's just not worth it?

I guess i should adjust my roost though, because all it is is 2 poles, which you said isn't good for the chickens, that they actually need a surface.
I didn't know they relied on their roost so much to keep warm.

 

[Time-Out]

There are two school sof thought about that. Mine roost on branches. I have observed my chickens. They have two flaps of feathers on the front which they put over their feet. I'm of the school that says shelves are silly. And how would pheasants survive through Winter? I don't see shelves growing in the wild.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Ok... so I shouldn't get a heated waterer? It's just not worth it?

I guess i should adjust my roost though, because all it is is 2 poles, which you said isn't good for the chickens, that they actually need a surface.
I didn't know they relied on their roost so much to keep warm.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that a heated waterer isn't worth purchasing. It is important that chickens have access to water all day long, and if your life requires you to pretty much let the chickens out in the morning and then lock them up at night, it may be a good investment for your piece of mind so that if you do have a couple of really cold days, you aren't sitting at work worried about your chickens instead of doing your job. I am fortunate enough to be in a situation that either myself or my mom (who lives next door) can check on them during the day and bring fresh water if theirs gets frozen solid.

 

[Red Barn Farms]

Keeping Chickens Warm In Winter



If you are worried about your chickens freezing during the winter, keep in mind that you only have to take minor precautions to keep them warm. Remember, chickens normally acclimatize themselves to cold weather. In fact, their physical constitution is more tolerant to cold than to heat. The body warmth they get from simply huddling together during cold weather can go a long way into keeping them warm for most of the winter. However, it doesn't mean that it's safe to neglect the environmental conditions that determine the well-being of your poultry during the cold months.




Heat conduction plays a critical role in the wintering of your poultry. Placing a bed of sawdust or bundles of straw in the coop helps in keeping them warm just in case huddling together is not good enough to handle the cool temperature. Setting up a heat lamp in a secure place also helps in providing direct heat just in case a particular chicken has poor tolerance for extremely low temperatures. Just make sure that the heat lamp is at a safe distance to prevent your chickens from getting too close (chickens like to perch, so make sure the heat lamp is at an elevated area that they can't reach).
A coop that is dry and free of draft (but still ventilated) is very essential to maintaining reasonable heat within the shelter. One thing to avoid is barring the door since chickens love to go outside and exercise every once in a while, even during winter. Make it a point to clear the coop's surroundings of snow in order for your chickens to have the luxury to venture outside whenever they feel the urge to do so.




Proper feeding is very important during a chicken's winter days. Corn is a good supplementary diet since it provides internal warmth. And of course, water needs to be provided daily just like in summer days. I highly recommend using a hard horse rubber dish for the fact that it's relatively easier to remove the ice without breaking the dish.
Providing roosts is also vital in avoiding your chickens' toes from freezing. A roost made out of wood is always better than metal or plastic because wood doesn't conduct cold. The roost should also be wide enough so that the chickens' feathers can cover the toes and be able to provide warmth into them.




Combs and wattles on chickens can be a big problem since extreme coldness can cause frostbites. Rubbing Vasoline regularly can be a big help to alleviate this particular problem. You can also resort to "dubbing", which is the process of removing these extra appendages, in the means to fully remove the possibilities of frostbites and the complications that go with it.
Remember that the rules change if you are brooding chicks. They should be kept entirely safe from drafts by placing a solid wall around them. Maintain a heat lamp over them the same way you do with full-grown chickens. If you can't establish an airtight habitat for them, it is best to avoid the notion of raising them in the winter.



Source:]

http://charearl.com/chickens/Keeping-Chickens-Warm-In-Winter.html.

Here is an interesting video regarding chickens in winter