Newbie in New England is scared of the winter!

[AnKa]

Hi all -
I have been dreaming of keeping chickens for a very long time now, and have planned to make 2009 the year of the Chicken.
My first order of business is to plan and build a coop for 6 of them.... and I am so afraid it will not be warm enough in winter! I have a very talented husband and a pile of material from our house construction. I will try to insulate all walls and possibly side the whole thing with shingles or something.

Anyone who wants to give me pointers - I'd love to hear ideas. In particular, if anyone has used CHEAP prefab'ed items to build their coops (Playhouses? Sheds?) tell me. I just don't have a ton to spend.

AnKa

 

[dave_Cash69]

both playhouses and sheds
we even used half of our barn.
scrap plywood


your chickens will be fine as long as the coop is draft free, and they have a place to go to get out of the weather.

now if your taking -20 tempratures, a heat lamp would be sufficent

 

[Baymen Moe]

I've learned a ton here in a short time. My coop I'm building now will be safe and secure. I've recycled some materials and bought others. I don't plan on insulating. Check out everything here on BYC and you'll be all set.

Bill

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

from TN

 

[heyeddah]

Ct Shore here
We had six in a converted shed. On the very coldest night, one got slight frostbite on her comb. Otherwise, we changed water every day and thought about heat, but never did.

 

[sandyj]

Welcome from Minnesota!!!

My friends chickens have done just fine this winter. Even several minus 20 days plus windchill. Old boathouse with siding and shingles. We insulated and put plywood over the inside walls. She has a small 1200 watt heater she turned on, on the zero or below days. Don't let the cold weather stop you from having chickens. I will be getting mine this spring. YAE!!! Can't wait!!!

sandyj

 

[poultrykeeper08]

from MA

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Glad to have you here!

 

[Hattie the Hen]

Hi there! WELCOME to the world of the international chicken-mad enthusiasts in your Year of the Chicken !!!!!! It's a great site full of great people who will go out of their way to help you all they can. The wealth of their combined knowledge & experience is amazing - a real help if you are desperate. Take a look at all the coops in the section devoted to them, there's a huge selection & it's fascinating to compare them. GOOD LUCK with your building/ adapting.

 

[chook pen jen]

Nothing can stop a chook addict so Im sure you will have some chooks soon