panicking - Winter Storm Coming!

[aart]

Should I scramble to find a heat source for them?

No.

a run that is only covered with tarps.

Snow piling up could be disastrous here.
Please post pics of your run and we cam make suggestions to prop it up.

 

[littledog]

Chickens can stay comfortable even in very cold temperatures, it's wind and moisture combined with the cold that can harm them. As long as they can roost together cuddled up, away from any drafts or blowing snow, they are fine. Plenty of ventilation is important to dissipate moisture, but it should be up above where they roost. Access to water that is not frozen is important, too. Instead of using the tarps over the top of your run, it might be better to run the tarps around the sides, to block wind up to a height above the level of their roosts.

 

[jreardon1918]

OP, the Nor'easter came overnight. How did you make out? More importantly, how are the chickens? I imagine fine.

 

[MIgardengal]

I live on the shore of lake superior. Norm temps in winter are between 10-20 degrees. We have already had some super super cold nights in these temps and our chickes from this spring were just fine. I have 6 hens, in a 35s ft coop. I just make sure the straw bedding is super thick (straw has more insulation properties than any other bedding) And shut the exit door to the outside run to help hold some heat in. One high window is cracked about 3 inches to vent moisture out. My gals have been just fine, though the poop on the poop board was icicles

Who gives the sparrows, and chickadees, and juncos a heated shelter? And they are so dainty. Creation is marvelous and adaptable!

 

[Wallygators]

I have 8 chickens. Get 6 eggs daily. No heat, electricity in the winter to keep water from freezing. And I have a small florescent bulb on 24/7. Been raising chickens for 10 years in Wisconsin winters -20 degrees. My coop has a wood floor. I use finely chopped straw & shredded yard leafs for bedding. I also scoop up the poop daily. We keep our girls till natural deaths. All have names & our own chicken cemetery

 

[jeanette bettis]

HI All. I have read and understood that it is bad to supplement heat in the coop for my 4 hens (born in March) but the temps are supposed to drop to 13 degrees day after tomorrow. One of my girls still has pinfeathers coming in on her neck. I don't have the option to bring them inside because of my dogs. They have a strong sturdy coop with ventilation and lots of bedding which I scoop daily (every last bit of poo) and a run that is only covered with tarps. Should I scramble to find a heat source for them? I can't put their food or water into the coop because mine always knock over things and I don't want it to get wet in there. Help! Any last ditch ideas to protect my girls? Wednesday night it will snow into Thursday afteroon - totals 12 inches and the temps down to 13 with wind gusts 15-20mph

Amazon has a heater. looks like a small screen tv. works very well and I have a couple of little drink cups that hook right to the coop . Got them at Tractor store. I have 4 very spoiled girls.

 

[NaperLix]

Firstly,do winterizing in October.
Cozy coop panels,safe readily available.Chickens will fell comfortable,not like there living in purgatory.

 

[Sherwood Forest chickens]

HI All. I have read and understood that it is bad to supplement heat in the coop for my 4 hens (born in March) but the temps are supposed to drop to 13 degrees day after tomorrow. One of my girls still has pinfeathers coming in on her neck. I don't have the option to bring them inside because of my dogs. They have a strong sturdy coop with ventilation and lots of bedding which I scoop daily (every last bit of poo) and a run that is only covered with tarps. Should I scramble to find a heat source for them? I can't put their food or water into the coop because mine always knock over things and I don't want it to get wet in there. Help! Any last ditch ideas to protect my girls? Wednesday night it will snow into Thursday afteroon - totals 12 inches and the temps down to 13 with wind gusts 15-20mph

Grab a couple free wood pallets fom an alley. Many stores throw them away, or put out for free to take for fire wood etc.... Then buy a couple 2x4 and a sheet of ply wood. Cut 2x4 so you have 4 pieces same length. Then drill into pallet at 4 points, do the same with second pallet, so one on the ground the other directly above it. Use the ply wood on the top of both pallets(ones the roof, the other the floor). and on the back side. Then use plastic (either clear shower curtin or plexaglass to make the other 3 sides ( cut a opening on 1 side so chickens can get in and out of the box you make). This blocks majority of wind but still alows sunlight to get in. My Chickens go in these shelters on clod days, and some times even nights. Protected from wind, rain and snow. Huddle together and do great, no light, or worry of a fire!

 

[Bob 1313]

We believe in keeping our chickens comfortable. A little heat won't hurt them but a lack of it could kill them. We lost several a few years back when there was a severe temperature drop, from the 70s to below zero within 36 hours. This year we had a similar drop around Labor Day, but it only fell into the teens. We use Sweeter Heaters.

 

[RedLionChooks]

HI All. I have read and understood that it is bad to supplement heat in the coop for my 4 hens (born in March) but the temps are supposed to drop to 13 degrees day after tomorrow. One of my girls still has pinfeathers coming in on her neck. I don't have the option to bring them inside because of my dogs. They have a strong sturdy coop with ventilation and lots of bedding which I scoop daily (every last bit of poo) and a run that is only covered with tarps. Should I scramble to find a heat source for them? I can't put their food or water into the coop because mine always knock over things and I don't want it to get wet in there. Help! Any last ditch ideas to protect my girls? Wednesday night it will snow into Thursday afteroon - totals 12 inches and the temps down to 13 with wind gusts 15-20mph

I had good success with tarps managing wind and blowing precipitation for a while, but this fall, I covered the exterior of the coop with corrugated plastic roofing panels. I cut them to size, and screwed them in with the idea that I could remove them for spring / summer / fall months. Not only does it help keep the wind out, but it kept the blowing snow out last week for sure. The coop is open under the roof with hardware cloth, so plenty of ventilation. The panels are also tinted grey, so it does not blind them with sunlight, yet heats up like a little greenhouse when the sun in out. I am really pleased with the outcome. Super easy to install - I did it alone. They are lightweight, durable, and easy to store.

Chickens are TOUGH. Way tougher than we think. They have an easier time managing in cold months than hot months. Like others have said, protect them from wind and moisture, and they will fare better than I would by a long shot!! Good luck, and keep planning for improvements. That's what it's all about -- adapting and changing based on what we learn. Keeping chickens will keep us on our toes in that way for sure!