NY chicken lover!!!!

[Adoravachick]

I am thinking of Winter already, terrible, I know. What to you guys do with you chickens in the winter? How do you winterize your coops? I live on a mountain and the weather here is crazy, just wanted to get some suggestions. I certainly don't want to surprise my hubby with a long list of coop to-dos to prep for winter.

 

[TwistOfFate]

Anyone interested in a EE trio?

I wish you were closer! We're about two hours away and I'd like to have some EEs.

 

[featherz]

I am thinking of Winter already, terrible, I know. What to you guys do with you chickens in the winter? How do you winterize your coops? I live on a mountain and the weather here is crazy, just wanted to get some suggestions. I certainly don't want to surprise my hubby with a long list of coop to-dos to prep for winter.

Not much. I switch out the nipple waterers for heated bowls. That's pretty much it!

 

[rancher hicks]

This is my hoop coop. Of all the roos the one in here is the only one who didn't get frost bit. I don't have a close up but it stayed about 10 degrees warmer than the wooden coop. As you can see I cover the runs with plastic so the birds can go out in the winter on dry ground. I think if you search hoop coops you'll find more pics. Heres the newest not yet done but soon. I will cover it with a camo. tarp so it will be less visible. It's only a half but it will hold 6 large birds easy.

As for ducks the ALBC has a list of which are critical and which lay well. I think their site might have a listing, like they do for chickens.

 

[Adoravachick]

This is my hoop coop. Of all the roos the one in here is the only one who didn't get frost bit. I don't have a close up but it stayed about 10 degrees warmer than the wooden coop. As you can see I cover the runs with plastic so the birds can go out in the winter on dry ground. I think if you search hoop coops you'll find more pics. Heres the newest not yet done but soon. I will cover it with a camo. tarp so it will be less visible. It's only a half but it will hold 6 large birds easy.

As for ducks the ALBC has a list of which are critical and which lay well. I think their site might have a listing, like they do for chickens.

Thanks for the response. What kind of plastic do you use? I was looking into greenhouse plastic, but I need something that will withstand high winds.

 

[Henicillin]

Our coop is insulated but not heated. We gave them a heated dog bowl in the coop, and that was about it. Over the winter I had three Speckled Sussex roos, and all three did get frostbite to some extent on their combs and wattles, but the damage was superficial and healed up with liberal applications of Bag Balm. I have one roo left, and he shows no trace of damage now.

At the moment, my coop's walls do not touch the roof. It was built like that to improve ventilation, but we're thinking that it may have caused a draft up high that could have contributed to the frostbite. So, we're going to change up the coop design somewhat by sealing up most of the open area between the walls and the roof with flashing and putting in vents, which will cut down significantly on any drafts, allow adequate ventilation, muffle the roo a bit if he decides to crow from the highest roost in the middle of the night, and improve predator protection.

Speaking of predators, my nephews eliminated the raccoon that killed my sister's chickens. They saw it skulking around the coop yesterday at dusk and trying to get in the way it had before (no longer possible, fortunately), and set out a trap. Once they caught it, a pistol shot took care of the problem.

 

[Cass]

I am thinking of Winter already, terrible, I know. What to you guys do with you chickens in the winter? How do you winterize your coops? I live on a mountain and the weather here is crazy, just wanted to get some suggestions. I certainly don't want to surprise my hubby with a long list of coop to-dos to prep for winter.

I close the windows and doors. And put out the heated dog bowl for water (I am gone all day, so I can't add water during the day) My coop is not insulated, has good ventalation (but no drafts)

 

[stonykill]

Not much. I switch out the nipple waterers for heated bowls. That's pretty much it!

yup, no real prep to do. If it is predator safe, it is winter ready. No lights for warmth, that makes for weak chickens that will die if the power goes out for an extended period of time. Heated water bowls would be nice. I keep saying I will, and don't.

 

[Adoravachick]

yup, no real prep to do. If it is predator safe, it is winter ready. No lights for warmth, that makes for weak chickens that will die if the power goes out for an extended period of time. Heated water bowls would be nice. I keep saying I will, and don't.

I was just going to ask how you guys felt about a heat lamp, but you have a point about weak birds. I am a little worried because I have invested in some silkies with show quality lines and they are gorgeous little chicks, I would hate to lose them because it's FREEZING. Ugh...

 

[hoppy]

I have a non chicken question for you NY'ers. how hard is it to get from penn station to jones beach where they have the concerts? and how easy is it to get back at night with the subway or bus schedule? I'm coming down from maine to a concert this weekend if i can get this all worked out. please pm me if you can help- not much of a city girl.