How do YOU winterize your coop?

[HuffleClaw]

Starting this because winter is coming soon! Here in Alabama, winterizing isn’t necessary. I’m starting this thread for people who need advice on how to properly winterize a chicken/duck/poultry coop.
Let’s get to it!

 

[MagpieDucks]

STRAW!! The main thing I do in the winter, is switch to straw bedding. It keeps the coop a lot warmer than regular shavings. It’s also fun to scratch around on. (For the chickens that is). I also suggest using droppings boards under the roosts during the winter, to keep the coop cleaner, and more comfortable to live in.

I choose not to use artificial light in my chicken coops for egg production for a couple of reasons.

Last year I used rubber livestock feeding dishes for water and they worked a lot better than plastic ones. I’m looking at heated waterers this year, to see if they would be worth it. The rubber is nice though since you can bend it to get the ice out.

This is year I’m wrapping my runs in plastic (tarps) to keep the snow out. I’ll also put straw in the run.

Hope this helps. I’m sure I’ll think of more stuff.

 

[HuffleClaw]

STRAW!! The main thing I do in the winter, is switch to straw bedding. It keeps the coop a lot warmer than regular shavings. It’s also fun to scratch around on. (For the chickens that is). I also suggest using droppings boards under the roosts during the winter, to keep the coop cleaner, and more comfortable to live in.

I choose not to use artificial light in my chicken coops for egg production for a couple of reasons.

Last year I used rubber livestock feeding dishes for water and they worked a lot better than plastic ones. I’m looking at heated waterers the year, to see if they would be worth it. The rubber is nice though since you can bend it to get the ice out.

This is year I’m wrapping my runs in plastic (tarps) to keep the snow out. I’ll also put straw in the run.

Hope this helps. I’m sure I’ll think of more stuff.

Wonderful!

 

[hillbilly91]

You can buy just the silt fence material at Lowe's for $15. It's 3'x50'. Keeps the wind, snow, and rain of them nicely. Straw is great also.

 

[HuffleClaw]

You can buy just the silt fence material at Lowe's for $15. It's 3'x50'. Keeps the wind, snow, and rain of them nicely. Straw is great also.View attachment 1554385

Great idea!

 

[hillbilly91]

Great idea!

good topic

 

[HuffleClaw]

good topic

Thanks I thought it’d be nice for the newbies and even give others new ideas!

 

[hillbilly91]

Thanks I thought it’d be nice for the newbies and even give others new ideas!

Its nice to see other peoples ideas as the materials change. The pen in the pic is 6x6x5 tall. 2x4 wood base and 2x4x6welded wire. The way its bent gives it support and the roost poll helps. Just be sure to leave plenty of room for them to flap there wings while on roost

 

[HuffleClaw]

Its nice to see other peoples ideas as the materials change. The pen in the pic is 6x6x5 tall. 2x4 wood base and 2x4x6welded wire. The way its bent gives it support and the roost poll helps. Just be sure to leave plenty of room for them to flap there wings while on roost

Great advice!

 

[Melky]

I bought a silver tarp at harbor freight with a coupon of course the size of my coop/run that covers top and sides. The tarp is sun reflective, waterproof, and snow proof. It’s important that it states all three otherwise it isn’t. $14-15. I’m told straw is great also but putting in dry leaves with current mulch at this time since free and abundant but may switch to straw when cooler here. Little bit worried about straw as saw examples of impacted crop due to straw when chickens tried to eat it. Not sure how often this happens. My girls pick occasionally at their mulch but more or less moving it looking in it for goodies than trying to eat it. Not sure yet about waterer. Read online you can stick water bottle filled with salt, close up tight, and stick in water fountain to prevent freezing. Debating that or de-icer for it.