How many chickens??

[aart]

There's no doubt that levels can help 'expand' space, and a tall coop is great for ventilation up high...but....in a small foot print(4xX) getting up and down from those levels becomes a significant issue.
Expanding your coop size, or adding a covered run, will definitely be worth the time, effort, and money/materials.

 

[ktlady]

Yes my run is already covered, and I will continue to supply various scraps for the girls to stay entertained. They have a roost bar and a chicken swing in the run, and 2 roost bars inside as well as the 2 nesting boxes inside. My coop is insulated, but has a window and a ventilation panel up high. I may be new to this, but I think we will be okay! The other Serama owner does not supply additional heat and said hers have done just fine through the Wasilla winters.

 

[aart]

Yes my run is already covered, and I will continue to supply various scraps for the girls to stay entertained. They have a roost bar and a chicken swing in the run, and 2 roost bars inside as well as the 2 nesting boxes inside. My coop is insulated, but has a window and a ventilation panel up high. I may be new to this, but I think we will be okay! The other Serama owner does not supply additional heat and said hers have done just fine through the Wasilla winters.

Missed the fact that you had a run...that's good!
Still find it hard to believe that seramas can do well in cold<shrugs>thought they needed a tropical clime. Cheers...Happy Winter!

 

[snow5164]

Yes my run is already covered, My coop is insulated, but has a window and a ventilation panel up high. I may be new to this, but I think we will be okay! The other Serama owner does not supply additional heat and said hers have done just fine through the Wasilla winters.

And that’s the key , the experiences from a Serema owner and their experiences will guide your choices.

I know what you mean about mild winters , we didn’t even get out the snowblower last year , the wind made it feel cold and without the snow to insulate we thought it was pretty darn cold .

We wrap our run in poly , just stopping the wind really helps because we know that -20 can have a windchill of -4000

I missed if you have electricity to the coop? Because one light socket and a regular bulb or a heat bulb would be a great idea to take the chill out if needed , heat lamps are often not made well and way too hot for your square footage.


Enjoy your birds
I’d love to see pictures of them in the snow

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

And that’s the key , the experiences from a Serema owner and their experiences will guide your choices.

I know what you mean about mild winters , we didn’t even get out the snowblower last year , the wind made it feel cold and without the snow to insulate we thought it was pretty darn cold .

We wrap our run in poly , just stopping the wind really helps because we know that -20 can have a windchill of -4000

I missed if you have electricity to the coop? Because one light socket and a regular bulb or a heat bulb would be a great idea to take the chill out if needed , heat lamps are often not made well and way too hot for your square footage.


Enjoy your birds
I’d love to see pictures of them in the snow

Heat lamps are made well. It's their misuse that gets people in trouble. Using them in a place where birds can knock into them, and putting a hot 250 watt bulb into a cheaper heat lamp with a plastic socket instead of buying one with a ceramic socket is another big mistake.

They also aren't designed to be used non-stop all winter in a dusty coop. Get yourself some heat panels and leave the heat lamps for temporary uses like chick brooding. Just my 5 cents on heat lamps.

 

[ktlady]

@snow5164 I was wondering about wrapping the run, I'm glad you said that! I will do the same to encourage them to go outside more this winter. When we have snow on the ground I would be happy to share photos of my flock!

I do have an outlet inside my coop, but no built-in light. I was going to hang my heat lamp up high so they can't run into it and keep it on a timer (so it doesn't run 24/7), but after the input here I may reconsider that. I like the heat panel idea, @oldhenlikesdogs ! How many panels would you recommend for my coop (4x4)?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

@snow5164 I was wondering about wrapping the run, I'm glad you said that! I will do the same to encourage them to go outside more this winter. I do have an outlet inside my coop, but no built-in light. I was going to hang my heat lamp up high so they can't run into it and keep it on a timer (so it doesn't run 24/7), but after the input here I may reconsider that. I like the heat panel idea, @oldhenlikesdogs ! How many panels would you recommend for my coop (4x4)?

I haven't actually used them but saw them for sale. The ones I saw could be mounted on a wall either by a roost or anywhere else it would be convenient. Perhaps try posting another thread to see if you can find others that have used them.

 

[PattyNH]

I use a heat panel for my coop. I'm in NH so it gets pretty snowy and cold - especially with the wind chill. I posted the link to the one I use as well as the thermostat I use with it. My coop is about 6lx4wx5h and it works great to keep the water from freezing.

Cozy Products CL Cozy Legs Flat... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FRFFC4W?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Farm Innovators Model TC-3 Cold... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006U2HD2?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Hope this helps!

 

[MissChick@dee]

It would be good if you could add on to the run. To me it seems small for that many birds. Over crowding and Being bored can lead to some seriously bad problems especially if they turn aggressive. Use scrap materials chickens don’t care if it’s fancy. You’ve got time now before winter. I bet if you asked around there’d be people who would have old fencing,gates,lumber ect. Bet some would be happy that you hauled it away.

 

[mixedbreeds]

I wrap my run as well with 6 mil clear plastic from Home Depot you can get it on amazon as well. I used lath and staples to hold it on and left about 4 inches down from the top for ventilation. All my chickens were out in the run all winter even in below zero.