NY chicken lover!!!!

[Coturnix Quail]

You don't heat the coop at all. It can be below freezing. You just need a heated waterer of some sort to keep your water from freezing over, and that's it. Chickens handle cold very well - they have down jackets, after all. They just need access to good food, unfrozen water, and a place to get out of the elements (the coop). That's all, no heat required. My coop's entire front is wire, and the birds do fine every winter.

Speaking of the wire front of my coop, ventilation is the single most important thing during winter. Make sure you have plenty of ventilation.

One whole side of your coop as wire?! WOW! I didn't think they could handle that much cold - but I know ventilation is important. I might just try that. I haven't covered up the other side of the coop into the run yet, so I think I could try that? But I've also heard that they should be kept away from drafts?? I've also heard putting salt and ice or something in water bottle and putting that in the water prevents it from freezing?? I think I'm going to have to do a little experimenting this winter.

 

[Gramma Chick]

One whole side of your coop as wire?! WOW! I didn't think they could handle that much cold -

The Front? Right ? Pyxis? you have a hoop coop ?
A heated Dog Water dish works great for un frozen water .
Coops - 3 sides will retain the heat the chickens generate ..
However it is important what side it is ..as snow can drift in ..
I cover my normally 3 open sides with plastic ..with the front open on top ...as I dont like the snow blowing in .
As you get more frozen bedding and I dont think chickens should have to walk through snow unless they are outside

 

[Pyxis]

Yep, the front, a hoop coop. The back side faces the prevailing wind, so no snow blows in. I put plastic over the bottom few feet too as a snow block to keep snow from falling in when it piles up.

 

[baunlee]

Hello all, I'm new to the chicken world (so new that I don't even have any yet, looking to get a flock in the spring). I'm a Western New Yorker (about 15 miles south of Rochester). I found this s!

In WNY buffalo also... i would just make sure there is deep litter in the coop and a lot of ventilation. If you see moisture in the air, that's bad.

 

[rancher hicks]

This is a double hoop coop. There is nothing over it but heavy tarps. No heat. The run is the clear plastic. Water is not kept IN the coop, just the feed. Chickens still lay and do not freeze. chickens expel a great deal of moisture and heat. 10 watts per bird. Never lost one to the cold. I hate winter snow. Spring snow melt leaves quite the mess.

 

[rancher hicks]

Snow is a good insulator. Cover your run with clear plastic to give your birds access to the outside fresh air. I do use heated water bowls but the water evaporates, so I have to fill them each morning.

 

[boskelli1571]

One whole side of your coop as wire?! WOW! I didn't think they could handle that much cold - but I know ventilation is important. I might just try that. I haven't covered up the other side of the coop into the run yet, so I think I could try that? But I've also heard that they should be kept away from drafts?? I've also heard putting salt and ice or something in water bottle and putting that in the water prevents it from freezing?? I think I'm going to have to do a little experimenting this winter.

Do not put salt into the chickens water - you can cause health problems! They just need water - a 3 gallon heated waterer is about $40.00 - well worth the investment.
All chickens need for the winter is a dry, draft proof area, good food and plenty of water.
The only birds that might need supplemental heat would be chicks or other with a feathering problem.
Chickens put out the equivalent of a 10w light bulb, so they manage to keep the coop quite warm by themselves!
If you want to do further reading check out the 2 part winter article on the blog I write for.

 

[Aria]

Enjoyed reading your posts. Decided to update: A friend of my dauguter at the Library asked if we would like chickens. We only had
3 and we said yes.

She brought us 4 Dr. Whiting Chickens and one cucoo Maran. They are such beautiful well behaved Chickens....and the Dr. Whiting lay LARGE blue eggs. We are pleased with our gift. Regards, Aria

 

[Gramma Chick]

She brought us 4 Dr. Whiting Chickens and one cucoo Maran. They are such beautiful well behaved Chickens....and the Dr. Whiting lay LARGE blue eggs. We are pleased with our gift. Regards, Aria

What a Nice gift ! I would like some Blue Layers

 

[Aria]

Grandma Chick, YES, they are beautiful and lay LARGE blue eggs.
Rancher, You were right....Silkies are beautiful to LOOK at ...but they lay tiny eggs and not too often.
We are enjoying our CHICKENS. Regards, Aria