Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[FluffyButt789]

Hi! Hope everything else is going well. Its really not that bad. I was super nervous and grossed out but honestly it wasn't a big deal. Just get everything you need laid out and one of your kids to help hold or hand you stuff. Gather up your courage,start slow and give it a go. It doesn't take too long and you'll feel like a rock star after lol.

Hello! Nice to hear from you. I would love to come see your growing farm some day! The 3 barred rocks you gave us are doing well. The rooster is an absolute sweetie! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

[FluffyButt789]

Hey guys, I have another question, as I'm preparing for winter soon... I was hoping to have a new coop for my chickens this fall but due to having to get new tires and brakes and all the other fun stuff popping up, it'll have to wait until spring.

My old coop is under our back deck (the deck is about 8ft by 30ft). I was thinking this winter, I can completely enclose the back deck with clear tarp (so the sunlight can still brighten the area). I'll cut a little door so I can get in and out, and the snow will not be able to get in the "run". Does this sound like a good idea? I felt bad for them last year with all the snow we got, because they ended up staying in the coop for more than half the season. I would like them to have more space this year.

What kind of tarp/material can you suggest for me to wrap the deck in? Deck is about 10 feet above the ground, and 8x30.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Hey guys, I have another question, as I'm preparing for winter soon... I was hoping to have a new coop for my chickens this fall but due to having to get new tires and brakes and all the other fun stuff popping up, it'll have to wait until spring.

My old coop is under our back deck (the deck is about 8ft by 30ft). I was thinking this winter, I can completely enclose the back deck with clear tarp (so the sunlight can still brighten the area). I'll cut a little door so I can get in and out, and the snow will not be able to get in the "run". Does this sound like a good idea? I felt bad for them last year with all the snow we got, because they ended up staying in the coop for more than half the season. I would like them to have more space this year.

What kind of tarp/material can you suggest for me to wrap the deck in? Deck is about 10 feet above the ground, and 8x30.

I just use the plastic sheeting that you can buy at tractor supply or Walmart and staple it up around my run. I do it every year without an issue. Just make sure that you have enough ventilation.

 

[FluffyButt789]

I just use the plastic sheeting that you can buy at tractor supply or Walmart and staple it up around my run. I do it every year without an issue. Just make sure that you have enough ventilation.

Hm, I havent seen any plastic sheeting. I'll look next time. Thank you! I'm thinking there will be enough ventilation since it's under a deck (gaps between deck boards) but I'll have to shovel it off every once in a while. I think this winter won't be so bad... knock on wood!

 

[rckirby]

Hey fellow Pennsylvanians. I'm in a valley near Pittsburgh. I used to have a few chickens and over time they died out. Me and hubby are in our mid-late 60's and didn't plan on getting any more. But my son's neighbor had a polish hen that was getting picked on by the other 'normal' hens and wanted to find a home for her.

Suckers that we are, we took her. Right now she's in a large dog cage on the covered front porch that we close up with a tarp overnite to help keep the critters away and give her some darkness. She is so people friendly and she and our mini-dachsund play with each other when she is out during the day.

I guess my main question is this: what to do with her this winter. We've never used heat lamps except indoors for chicks. But she won't have anyone to cuddle up with.

 

[fisherlady]

Hey fellow Pennsylvanians. I'm in a valley near Pittsburgh. I used to have a few chickens and over time they died out. Me and hubby are in our mid-late 60's and didn't plan on getting any more. But my son's neighbor had a polish hen that was getting picked on by the other 'normal' hens and wanted to find a home for her.

Suckers that we are, we took her. Right now she's in a large dog cage on the covered front porch that we close up with a tarp overnite to help keep the critters away and give her some darkness. She is so people friendly and she and our mini-dachsund play with each other when she is out during the day.

I guess my main question is this: what to do with her this winter. We've never used heat lamps except indoors for chicks. But she won't have anyone to cuddle up with.

It was great of you to give her a home, sounds like she has become a nice pet and companion.
For an enclosure the size of a dog crate you could use an old sleeping bag over 3 sides and top and then a ceramic heat bulb in a smaller clamp light to add enough warmth to keep her comfortable.
The ceramic bulbs are meant for use in terrariums for lizards and such, they have a few different sizes, we use a 90 watt one in the broody hut to keep water from freezing when we have a winter hatch.
If it gets down to the low teens though you may want to shift her, crate and all, into a basement or garage for the coldest stuff.

 

[fisherlady]

They make heated boot mats also, so one of those or a heated dog mat (if it is on all the time and not one which only heats were there is weight on it) may give her a warm floor to keep her comfy. I think they make heated roost bars also, but probably not small enough.

....and then there is always the 'house chicken' option.... get her a diaper set up and bring her in.

 

[rckirby]

They make heated boot mats also, so one of those or a heated dog mat (if it is on all the time and not one which only heats were there is weight on it) may give her a warm floor to keep her comfy. I think they make heated roost bars also, but probably not small enough.

....and then there is always the 'house chicken' option.... get her a diaper set up and bring her in.

I would love to bring her in. I thought about a large parrot cage. Hubby ain't going for it yet. But he's falling in love with her, so there might still be hope.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Hey fellow Pennsylvanians. I'm in a valley near Pittsburgh. I used to have a few chickens and over time they died out. Me and hubby are in our mid-late 60's and didn't plan on getting any more. But my son's neighbor had a polish hen that was getting picked on by the other 'normal' hens and wanted to find a home for her.

Suckers that we are, we took her. Right now she's in a large dog cage on the covered front porch that we close up with a tarp overnite to help keep the critters away and give her some darkness. She is so people friendly and she and our mini-dachsund play with each other when she is out during the day.

I guess my main question is this: what to do with her this winter. We've never used heat lamps except indoors for chicks. But she won't have anyone to cuddle up with.

and then there is always the 'house chicken' option.... get her a diaper set up and bring her in.

Congratulations on your new addition! I second what @fisherlady said about a house chicken. The large crate would work fine as an indoor coop also. Just slide a broomstick through the slats to make a roost and put something around the bottom (2 x6 or 2x8) to keep the bedding in. Get her a diaper and put it on her anytime she's running the house

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

Hey guys, I have another question, as I'm preparing for winter soon... I was hoping to have a new coop for my chickens this fall but due to having to get new tires and brakes and all the other fun stuff popping up, it'll have to wait until spring.

My old coop is under our back deck (the deck is about 8ft by 30ft). I was thinking this winter, I can completely enclose the back deck with clear tarp (so the sunlight can still brighten the area). I'll cut a little door so I can get in and out, and the snow will not be able to get in the "run". Does this sound like a good idea? I felt bad for them last year with all the snow we got, because they ended up staying in the coop for more than half the season. I would like them to have more space this year.

What kind of tarp/material can you suggest for me to wrap the deck in? Deck is about 10 feet above the ground, and 8x30.

I just use the plastic sheeting that you can buy at tractor supply or Walmart and staple it up around my run. I do it every year without an issue. Just make sure that you have enough ventilation.

Good Morning Everyone,

Totally agree with Aurora, if $$ is tight & you feel like you have to do something for them, then heavy duty plastic sheeting is the way to go.
But..We can not emphasize enough about the ventilation, as I am sure you are aware if the area is not properly ventilated, the girls will have issues..frost bite being a big one.
If it makes you feel any better about them not having room to roam...our girls have the area, but they still insist on staying in the coop a lot during winter days. They really do NOT like snow.
It is funny to watch them work-up the gumption to walk through it. When they finally do, they have a trail the whole way round the inside perimeter...until the next snow fall
When starting out for us, we had to use tarps. Wan't a fun winter to have to wrestle with those things all season for sure, but it did the job. Every year it seems we are "upgrading" or changing things in someway. It all takes time and $$, but sometimes a little 'outside the box' thinking & 'reusing' items really help to keep costs down.
There used to be a really nice person on here that turned an old dresser into a coop..so cool, and another that made their coop out of 'found-free' items and 'clearance' stuff (paint/roof material etc..)
sorry I turned this into a novel.....