How do you set up you birds for winter? Unofficial Poll!

[ChocolateMouse]

Our chickens get free range access to the whole yard in the winter and they come out into the snow. In the fall we change out all the bedding in the coop to keep moisture down.

 

[CheerioTheBuffRooster]

I line the outside of their run with plastic sheeting to keep the snow and cold wind out. I try to let them free range as much as possible before it gets extra snowy and frigid! Also, lots of mealworms and corn are provided to plump them up for the chilly winter.
I live in Maine so winters are pretty cold and hard up here.
Though I am worried about my rooster getting frostbite because his comb and wattles are super big...I know putting Vaseline on then can help prevent frostbite.
Does anyone have any other suggestions to keep my roo's comb and wattles warm enough??

 

[U_Stormcrow]

"Other"

It is only "winter" here for a day or seven. So, I do nothing at all. Its the same well vented, dry hen house as in our many months of summer, same large run, same free ranging. At most, I expect the feed cost to go up as the amount of forage in the pasture declines, and to throw more of the spent pasture grasses, once dried, into the run.

Yay Florida.

 

[Sally PB]

It is only "winter" here for a day or seven.

Dang, I can't find an emoji for envy.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Dang, I can't find an emoji for envy.

we had a heat index of 115+ more a few days this summer, and broke 120 at least once - I was using a chainsaw in it. Risked my legs by stripping off my jeans, as heat stroke + power tools + remote area is not a good plan for staying healthy..

Wait 5 or 6 months for the poll on how we prepare for summer, then I will be envying you!

 

[AppleMomma65]

I get most of the wind from the west so I built my coop on the west side of my detached garage. I slide corrugated plastic sheets along three sides of my run leaving about 1 foot gap at the top. The plastic sheets keep almost all the snow out but my flock likes to eat snow so I will occasionally shovel snow into the run for them to eat.

I too am in WI and I have same set up! With our last two weeks of cold weather, I was glad to see it kept the cold air out but was able to keep some good ventilation. I also have some straw bales at the end of the run to keep out drafts. My chickens seemed mostly content - but the really cold weather hasn't hit us yet!

 

[Mrs. K]

I thickly bed the run in places, bare spots in others. Before a snow storm, I pile it up in mini haystacks, next day, flip it back out on top of the snow. Chickens will come right out even in the beginning of winter. As time passes, they get used to snow.

I do have wind break shelters in the run, and I set up shower doors, so there is a mini sun porch. It is amazing how much warmer it is under there in full sunshine on below zero days.

Do not thing warm, think DRY and out of the wind, that is what is really important.

MRs K

 

[CluckerFamily]

I too am in WI and I have same set up! With our last two weeks of cold weather, I was glad to see it kept the cold air out but was able to keep some good ventilation. I also have some straw bales at the end of the run to keep out drafts. My chickens seemed mostly content - but the really cold weather hasn't hit us yet!

I am so excited for the highs to be 60 degrees this week!! It’s a lot better than the last few weeks.

 

[RobertaD1]

Really dont do much here... plastic on the north side run walls that face north and west, extra bale of straw tossed in bare areas in the coop away from feeders/waterers, couple extra bales to lounge on...daughter says it looks like their corner couch, plastic on the south run-western wall. Throw in a couple heated waterers, a boredom buster every now and then.... we're ready for snow to fly!

 

[8CityChicks]

Like several posts I have a 5ftx8ft walk-in house (mostly for ease of cleaning) that I line 3 walls with plastic, & the front with plastic that can opened & closed each day since I clean twice a day (due to living in the city). Small air vents are left open for fresh air. I like to line the wood floor with pine shavings since I can put them in the litter bin & compost with litter & leaves when they need changing. I only totally close the house when temps go below freezing, which is only 3 to 4 times a winter. The plastic is mostly for wind since the front of the house has a door & 2 windows covered in 2x4-inch hog wire for predator-proofing. I regularly check combs for cold spots. I avoid any artificial heating for safety & since the birds generate sufficient heat themselves.