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Is my coop suitable for winter?

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by Peachesbabychick, Oct 4, 2011.

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  1. Oct 4, 2011 #1
    Peachesbabychick

    Peachesbabychick Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Some where over the rainbow
    Hello! Since winter is coming, I am just worrying that my babies will be warm enough. My coop is not heated. I do not put hay on their roost, so it just has wire netting and then a box below to catch poo. The coop is insulated. I put a good layer of chips down on the floor for them. Is there anything else I could do? Do you think they will be alright? Thanks.
     
  3. Oct 4, 2011 #2
    JodyJo

    JodyJo Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Sep 27, 2010
    Colorado
    where do you live?
    How may chickens do you have?
    What are their ages?
     
  5. Oct 4, 2011 #3
    ChickenScratchin

    ChickenScratchin Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Aug 26, 2011
    Colorado
    Depends on where you live - how cold does it get? is the ambient humidity high or low? lots of snow/wind? good ventilation in the coop? What breeds do you have (are they cold hardy or not?)

    I'm of the opinion that if you're in a more moderate climate, it's best to let them acclimate as much as possible so that they aren't set up for illness or frostbite from a coldsnap. I'm in a climate where winter isn't THAT cold and it's very dry, but we do usually get at least a week or two of sub-zero temps. I'll supplement heat at those times with a heat lamp. But just arbitrarily providing extra heat doesn't allow them to acclimate and leaves them more vulnerable.
     
  7. Oct 4, 2011 #4
    PegramPoultryProprietor

    PegramPoultryProprietor Out Of The Brooder

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    May 21, 2010
    Without seeing the coop it's hard to say; also, where are you? How cold are your winters? I live in Tennessee and we don't get terribly cold; no heat in my coop. I do add some extra wind resistance( tarps) over alot of the openings. Last year everyone was fine. I also have deep pile in the coops that have dirt floors and in the main coop building so I get some heating value from mother earth. Chickens have been raised since before there was electricity.
     

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