Maine

[Lacy Duckwing]

oh, somewhere in the willywacks. I don't really want to specify

A lot of Maine is that. That's perfectly ok!

 

[SacredWaves]

We are all in the willywhacks in Maine. I love it! Peaceful, quiet, not many people ... Love it.

 

[HoneybeeHill]

How do you all winterize your runs? Mine doesn’t have a roof and I’m looking for ideas on how to keep the snow at bay.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

How do you all winterize your runs? Mine doesn’t have a roof and I’m looking for ideas on how to keep the snow at bay.

Sorry there isn't details on everything, but this is my chickens winter run: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-chickens-winter-run.76186/
All it basically is, is some hog panels (TSC), roofing (repurposed), plastic, some 2x4s (repurposed), fence staples, fencing to wrap it with, and some screws to hold it all together.

 

[HoneybeeHill]

Sorry there isn't details on everything, but this is my chickens winter run: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-chickens-winter-run.76186/
All it basically is, is some hog panels (TSC), roofing (repurposed), plastic, some 2x4s (repurposed), fence staples, fencing to wrap it with, and some screws to hold it all together.

That looks like it would be so cozy all tucked in with snow! Do you have any condensation issues? Last year I had a metal roof on the run and the northern side wrapped and condensation was dripping off and freezing on the roof. But because the other sides weren’t wrapped there was snow drifting in so maybe that was part of my problem?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

That looks like it would be so cozy all tucked in with snow! Do you have any condensation issues? Last year I had a metal roof on the run and the northern side wrapped and condensation was dripping off and freezing on the roof. But because the other sides weren’t wrapped there was snow drifting in so maybe that was part of my problem?

There is a slight issue with condensation. Last winter I put a small hole in the top for added ventilation and an outside door to let the birds out on warm days. Unless you have the correct ventilation system with a possible fan, condensation will probably be a constant problem when using that plastic. (It's not the roofing, it's the plastic creating the condensation. )

 

[Chick-n-lily]

I’m in Buckfield. We have 3 acres. I’ve watched some videos on NOT insulating the coop and why. Just make sure NO drafts can whip through. Also it makes sense to not use heat lamps as well because if we lose power, those poor chicks aren’t acclimated. So far they are handling the cold nights quite well but then again it’s only October ha! Several people around here have chickens and do not insulate and they do just fine . Just have to keep things dry and make sure no wind can whip through coop. We are in process of tightening it up for winter and finishing the nesting boxes as come December they will be about the age to start laying! I can’t wait. The coop will be easy enough to insulate if we feel we need to but it’s thick barn boards and shaker shingles on the outside. And we stand in there on windy and rainy days and nothing enters when it’s closed up. We have ample vents at top but had to block off areas above the top roost as they were roosting in the eaves sitting on the wire mesh and pooping outside through the overhang now they use the roosting bars and we insulated above their heads so they can’t get in there anymore. I wish I had taken a photo of when they were crammed in there roosting ha! We will plastic shield the little screen room on all sides on the bottom half so snow and wind can’t whip through and on nice days we will let them venture out if they want. I’ll lay straw or wood shavings in the outside run so they can forage outside if they want. There are now 2 roosts outside for them and they like that.

 

[Chick-n-lily]

How do you all winterize your runs? Mine doesn’t have a roof and I’m looking for ideas on how to keep the snow at bay.

I saw a video recently from someone that just tosses straw down in a path to some roosts he made outside. This way they aren’t walking in the snow. I’ve watched videos of chickens in the snow. If my run gets too much snow, I’ll just shovel some out and lay hay or straw lol

 

[FolkSonginC]

I need to rehome three female saxony ducks with my lilac muscovy drake, they are all really gorgeous ducks but I'm downsizing and need them gone before winter. The drake is sweet and gets along great with his hens, plus he is gorgeous and a rare color. And the saxonies are the most beautiful ducks I've ever seen, in my opinion. They really are gorgeous ducks.

I'm located in Portland and willing to drive an hour or two for the right home. I would really prefer that they go somewhere with a predator proof coop and enclosure.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I’m looking for some adult or juvenile pure Silkies. Let me know if you have anything available!