How to keep chickens in winter?

[Threechimkens]

Hi, so I’m in Canada and it’s really cold. I was wondering how I can keep them happy and healthy? Because all they do is go in the coop and their crop feels a bit squishy too. I keep door half open for ventilation but my run is predator proof. I only give layer feed and water because my chickens have a sour crop I thibk and I’m getting grit soon.

 

[LateBirdFarms]

If your girls are fully feathered and able to sit out of the wind, they should be okay. What breeds do you have? Do they have big combs or little combs? Is it possible for you to put up a tarp to keep the wind out of the run and maybe toss some straw or bedding onto the ground to help keep their tootsies warm when they do come outside? Some of my girls refuse to walk in snow, some don't even notice it and some act like snow is the best candy in the world!

 

[Threechimkens]

If your girls are fully feathered and able to sit out of the wind, they should be okay. What breeds do you have? Do they have big combs or little combs? Is it possible for you to put up a tarp to keep the wind out of the run and maybe toss some straw or bedding onto the ground to help keep their tootsies warm when they do come outside? Some of my girls refuse to walk in snow, some don't even notice it and some act like snow is the best candy in the world!

I have two Columbian rocks with a big comb and a chicken I don’t know thebreed with a small comb. The two rocks comb started then a bit pale while the other one comb is bright red. And I put lots of straw and a piece of cloth covering a bit of the door

 

[3KillerBs]

This is the definitive BYC article on cold-weather chickens: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[MissE]

Mine are in an unheated coop with attached covered run. We had a couple night around -30f this week, with highs barely reaching 0. Pop door stays open for ventilation. My roo and a couple others have a touch of frostbite but are otherwise fine. The biggest concern was the heated waterer icing over and a couple frozen eggs. As long as they are dry, away from drafts, have proper ventilation, food, and water they will be ok.

 

[Aapomp831]

Your chickens have a sour crop you think? It would be a good idea to make absolute sure bc sour crop is deadly and usually makes for a slow and painful death; starving to death bc the food is not getting to the stomach. Grit will not cure sour crop, it’s more of a preventative. What symptoms have you observed that make you think they have sour crop?