Need heat?

[Maxx_a_mouse]

I am new to bantams, and I wanted to know if they will need heat for the winter?

I have 2 Belgian d’uccles, and the coop I am building is 48”x30” with a 48”x3’ run. It’s movable but will be in one spot for the winter. The question is, will they need heat since it’s only the two birds? Or should they be ok?

I am in Connecticut where it frequently snows with the occasional ice storm, aswell as temps below 0°F at times.

 

[ashlierami]

I am new to bantams, and I wanted to know if they will need heat for the winter?

I have 2 Belgian d’uccles, and the coop I am building is 48”x30” with a 48”x3’ run. It’s movable but will be in one spot for the winter. The question is, will they need heat since it’s only the two birds? Or should they be ok?

I am in Connecticut where it frequently snows with the occasional ice storm, aswell as temps below 0°F at times.

I would just ensure its draft free, plenty of bedding such as shavings in the coop and they should be okay. Heating a coop is more dangerous than it's worth. Also if you power ever goes out and they get used to hear every night it can be hard for them to adjust. I had a silkie last winter she survived in teen temperatures at night. In my coop they have the option to roost or Nestle down in the bedding I have which most of my hens do this and my roosters roost.

 

[Alaskan]

How far below 0F?

D'uccles do great in cold... except for those tiny comb points... in my high humidity area there is no way for me to keep those comb points from getting frostbite. But.... frostbite on just the comb points is not a huge thing... they heal perfectly on their own.

Do NOT close up your ventilation. Remember that higher humidity increases frostbite risk, and a closed up coop results in respiratory illnesses.

It would be best if the run is roofed, and one long wall of the run clear plastic to keep snow and wind out.

Not sure how humid your snow is... but humid snow, and of course mud, will clump up on those foot feathers. You will want to check their feet on a regular basis to make sure nothing has clumped up on them.