Open chicken coop in winter.

[GrantKazSpaz]

I have two chicken coops that were store bought. Where I live it’s starting to get really cold. And this morning I came out to see my girls shaking and shivering and crowing. Their water was also frozen. What should I do to the coops to keep the chickens warm? And how could I keep the water from freezing? Should I put a heater in the coop? Here are some pictures of the coops.

 

[Gray Farms]

Wrap them with heavy clear plastic. Leave the vent holes open though. A heated water base will keep you water from freezing. A heater in the coop isn't really recommended for such a small coop.

 

[Wylderness10]

My husband wrapped our chicken coop sides, where they roost, with plastic. We also have a special water dish that heats up and stops the water from freezing over or being too cold. There's also straw bedding we use which keeps our girls warm.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I do not see any ventilation, I would open up the gable ends to allow air flow. Get a heated waterer of some sort.

Gary

 

[Mrs. K]

Heated water is nice for people, but it is not necessary for chickens. If you don't have heated water, you do need to carry down fresh water each day.

I am afraid to ask how many chickens do you have in that set up, cause it is very small. A lot of chickens in a small area can really build up moisture FAST, from their droppings and their breath. Damp chickens are cold chickens.

So contrary to what you might think in order to keep chickens warm, you need to add more fresh air, better ventilation not more heat, not trap the heat mentality.

I do agree with the plastic wrap around the run, but you need it several inches short of the roof. Almost ALL PRE FAB coops do not have near enough ventilation. If you see moisture on the inside, you do not have enough ventilations.

Deep bedding, as in REALLY deep will help. In a very small coop, one really needs a poop board, or hammock to be able to remove the poop daily. Otherwise ammonia and moisture will very quickly build up.

Mrs K

 

[GrantKazSpaz]

There are four chickens in each coop

 

[andreanar]

Are you shutting them inside the coop at night? Do you have enough bedding, wood shavings, straw or whatever you use?

 

[GrantKazSpaz]

Yes, at night I shout them in the coop. I put bedding in their roosting boxes, but not on the regular floor.

 

[andreanar]

Yes, at night I shout them in the coop. I put bedding in their roosting boxes, but not on the regular floor.

You should get some bedding in there, on the floor, it will help. Also wrapping the run in plastic.

 

[aart]

Already answered here....and we still need to know where you live
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/open-coop-in-winter.1276876/#post-20547794