Keeping my hens safe from the freezing cold?

[fl_deb]

Quote:
Hey Sandbellie,

Do you use the deep litter method in your coop? It can add significant gentle heat for free and no fire worries.

If given a choice, I would opt for a dark plastic over a clear plastic just due to heat gains created.

Another idea, depending on your average temp over time verses your extreme temps is 55 gal drums with water. It works well here because we take short dips into teens rarely, so the water is always warmer!

Merry Christmas!

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

I considered putting up a windbreak but decided that they really didnt need it. My girls go outside no matter what. Even on the windiest days with the windchills in the single digits, they prefer to go out and hang out under the tractor. We did put haybales on 3 sides to give it some insulation and the tractor itself is insulated and we use the deep litter method. I have been handling my girls almost every day and they have a pretty good layer of feathers. At 9 months, they tolerate all the cold weather quite well. I agree with woodmort...no need to change anything if they are doing fine.

 

[cbeth95]

Quote:
Hey Sandbellie,

Do you use the deep litter method in your coop? It can add significant gentle heat for free and no fire worries.

If given a choice, I would opt for a dark plastic over a clear plastic just due to heat gains created.

Another idea, depending on your average temp over time verses your extreme temps is 55 gal drums with water. It works well here because we take short dips into teens rarely, so the water is always warmer!

Merry Christmas!

No, I don't use the deep litter method. Never heard of it.

 

[HorizonSon]

Forgive my naivity... But you may have the exact opposite problem. Granted; I don't know the type of birds you have, nor am I familiar with the weather in your area... But... If your chickens are not going outside much then the coop may be "too warm" and creating too great of a temperature variant to the ambient outside temps...

Example... At the tender age of two weeks old, my chicks foraged around outside WITHOUT a mama. At three weeks old; it was below freezing, windy and hailing and they loved playing out in it.

 

[Tdub4chiks]

I covered my run with a clear shower curtain on the west side & heavy plastic on the north side. That way I can see them when they are outside. But, my run is also very small - just 4 x 4.

 

[gmendoza]

My coop is in my run.My run is 12'x24'x7'high at the ridge and the coop is 8'x8'x7' high.The roof is a 14'x48' 20mil vinyl used billboard.We also bought another used billboard of same size and covered around the ENTIRErun with it.Keeps 'em warm and toasty and dry.The billboard is also Mold resistant.

We also do the deep liter meathod.Right now we have about 6" of pine shavings on the floor of thr run and coop.This stuff gets racked out in spring for the garden.

This year we are going to experiment with tossing in minimum amounts of grass seed into the pine shavings so we can get grass in there.Ohterwise it will be pine all year round.

 

[cbeth95]

I'm not sure if I'll try the deep litter method...

 

[fl_deb]

Fear not Sandbellie,

The deep litter method is used by many. If you use the search function, located just below page header, use "Deep Litter Method" as serch terms you should get plenty of info on the method.

Also, if these are young pullets or hens, sometimes new stuff can scar them, so you have to encourage them, by placing food and water outside the coop on tolerable days.


Please keep asking for help here. There are alot of people willing to help.