Looking for Winter Advice- What do you wish you had known

[Chickenmaven]

Quote:
Chickens love, love, love weather in the 20-40F range. I quit worrying (except when it gets below zeroF). I have 20 -30 chickens in a 12x14 coop. When it is cold out, the coop is always warmer. I do not run a heat lamp unless it is BITTER cold, which here in Michigan means below zero.
I would never advise a friend to bring chickens indoors. I have asthma and cannot be around their dander, I think it is a health risk for anyone.

IMHO - if you are worried about your birds staying warm, reassess their living conditions.
* Insulated?
* Ventilated?
* Dry?

 

[luvmychks51]

ur girls will probably lay soon. give them time, they're still a little young. My best layer didnt' start till she was almost a year old. it was worth the wait!
but even now, if she gets stressed for some reason she stops laying till she's happy again. just be patient and try feeding her some fresh corn or toss a few slices of bread in the coop. My girls love it - and lay more.

 

[Rettmom]

I don't know if the heated waterer question ever got "finished," but did anyone ever suggest a plain old heating pad on low to medium. You could put it inside a plastic bag to protect it from any spilled water, and place it under your waterer.

Of course, I haven't done this and may not be thinking of everything - like why it might be a bad idea. If anyone has experience with this - good or bad - please pass it on.

Thanks,

Stephanie in Oregon (suburban Portland Metro area)

 

[3KillerBs]

Quote:
Sounds like a fire in the making.

Ordinary heating pads are NOT rated for outdoor use. Neither are they intended for continuous use.

 

[Chickiemom1012]

I purchased a sweeter heater from www.sweeterheater.com. it provides radiant heat without being a fire hazard. They can be side mounted or hung overhead. I also got a thermostatic outlet that I can program to a set temp and also it has a timer, so even on cold fall night I can set it to start going on when it is below freezing. I live in Green Bay, WI.

On the south side of our run I am attaching plexiglass to the run so we can still see the birds and it provides some heat into the run. the other three sides will be covered in 6 mil plastic. We have really cold winters here and I am also on the river here and the wind is terrible on some winter days. I am also planning on getting a heated waterer as well.

I know it's probably a bit much but I really love our girls and the kids think they are the greatest.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Thanks for this thread, great information.

A question I have is about the pop door. I have a giant Orp Roo and the pop door had to be a little bigger to accomodate him. Is the pop door a source of "drafts?" It is about 1 & 1/2 feet by 1 & 1/2 feet

I am trying to figure out a way to make a covering that the chickens can still get in and out of without it being a pecking toy for them.

I also bought extra waterers so that I could just fill them up about 1/2 way, let the chickens have their fill and then switch them out to clean and fill.

I will use the heated waterer when temps get low enough to freeze the water.

 

[ozark hen]

what side of the coop is the pop door? Can it be closed at night? If so I wouldn't worry about it, unless you want to put some plastic strips hanging down so they can go through them? Mine is on the east side of the coop but I close it at night and it is not a problem for drafts. I would be warry of any that were on the north side. My pop door is small, and I have orps, but even my large turkeys manage to go through the pop door.

 

[chickenmeadow]

QUESTION: Can anyone explain why they use the 2x4's instead of round roosts (seems to be mentioned for cold weather)? Just read some comments on BYC about using 2x4's for roosts. I assume that on the 4" side, their feet stay flat & the're able to tuck their bodies around their feet for warmth. Regarding chance of frostbite while roosting at night, I checked my bantams tonight on the (bantam sized) round roosts & their toes seem to be well covered with their body & feathers fluffed over the toes.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Quote:
Thank you. It is also on the east side. Maybe I will try to board a little of it up and see if the big guy can still get in.

 

[WildfireJane]

Those all in one water fountains for $50.00, I bought one and it's a waste of money!!! Glad I tried it BEFORE winter hit. After I fill it up, the bottom of the unit won't secure to the water part. The water part is made of flimsy plastic and if you THINK it's on and turn it over, you get a real cold "bath." Instead of returning it, (lost the receite) I'm going to use the base for one of my one gal plastic waterers. It fits real nicely on the electric base. So don't waste your money. Jane