panicking - Winter Storm Coming!

[mamajos]

After you have the coop/run prepared as suggested, think of all the years farmers had chickens, before electricity and modern improvements. The chickens survived, and they should be just fine for you. That’s what helped me get through my first winter with chickens. Right now it’s 7°F here, and the girls are round puff balls roosting together-doing just fine with no heat.

 

[Dhkoenig]

After you have the coop/run prepared as suggested, think of all the years farmers had chickens, before electricity and modern improvements. The chickens survived, and they should be just fine for you. That’s what helped me get through my first winter with chickens. Right now it’s 7°F here, and the girls are round puff balls roosting together-doing just fine with no heat.

That was the sweetest post. I needed that. We bought this house in August and it came complete with these four hens who had a tiny coop that they perched on top of - the previous owner had no idea about chickens and lost the last few flocks to their dog etc...so when I bought the house and asked if I could keep them, he said yes and ever since I have been smitten kitten. They all have the most unique personalities and I literally could spend all day with them. So........very easy to forget that they are hearty and have been here through the years with the farmers before electricity etc....thank you so much for that romantic notion (reminds me of a holiday card) and also the reminder that I shouldn't treat them like an angora cat LOL

 

[David61]

Just make sure they have water not ice. A dry place out of the wind is all you need.

 

[hayley3]

That was the sweetest post. I needed that. We bought this house in August and it came complete with these four hens who had a tiny coop that they perched on top of - the previous owner had no idea about chickens and lost the last few flocks to their dog etc...so when I bought the house and asked if I could keep them, he said yes and ever since I have been smitten kitten. They all have the most unique personalities and I literally could spend all day with them. So........very easy to forget that they are hearty and have been here through the years with the farmers before electricity etc....thank you so much for that romantic notion (reminds me of a holiday card) and also the reminder that I shouldn't treat them like an angora cat LOL

I pamper my chickens when I can. I did give mine heat right before bedtime.
What I have learned in my years of chicken keeping is to insulate the floors by covering them with dirt/straw/shavings, it really makes a difference. And make sure that place is protected from the wind. I would always pray for sunshine because the chickens and other animals could warm themselves in the sun and it gave them a break from the bitter cold. So shovel the snow and place some straw out there for them to stand on if the sun is out.

 

[DobieLover]

Okay thanks - so as long as they can get out and eat a bit and drink a bit here and there it is okay to leave the food and water out in the run?

That is where my food and water are kept. You said you wrapped the run in tarps. What is on the ground of the run? Does the run have a solid roof? How large is the coop?

 

[hayley3]

Also I add meal worms in the winter and chicken scratch.

 

[jreardon1918]

Hello in NJ. We are about three hours north of you. We are expecting the same storm. If you can stop it at your border that would be great.

Seriously, the cold will not be the issue. Watch the snow and clear it off the roof and tarps as best you can. I use a snow rake. If the girls have a place to go out after the snow great. Heat you will not need. If it starts while they are awake they may well stay out in all but the worst of it.

The storm is still a while away. Can you snap a few pictures of the setup? Maybe you will get a few snow block ideas.

 

[AntiqueB]

I tale food and water in after they go into the coop for the night, and then put it out at 7 am in the run. No food or water allowed in the coop, for reasons of mice and humidity (not to mention space!). As long as the food's in a spot protected from the wind, it should stay dry.

 

[Sally PB]

I have a plastic peanut butter jar full of sand that I use as a heat sink in the waterer, which is out in the run. I bring it in at night to sit by the wood stove. I forgot it out in the mud room last night, so I warmed it up in a bowl of hot water this morning. I made a second one that I can swap out mid-day if necessary.

Good luck. I'm glad you have a generator.

 

[3KillerBs]

13F is nothing to a chicken in it's cozy down coat.

A few strategically-placed straw bales to act as wind baffles might be useful if your run isn't sufficiently sheltered or if wind might blow in the pop door.

If you offer the chickens the options to be inside or outside and provide options they'll decide where they want to be. They know how to chicken better than we know how to chicken.

I'm not sure that tarps as roofing in heavy snowfall are better than no roofing since they may well tear and collapse.