Preparing coop and run for winter?

[nekomi]

Hi everyone,

I have 14 chickens right now, soon to be adding a few more! I have a mixed flock with several different breeds. I'd like to know what preparations everyone would suggest for my first winter with chickens... they are free-range right now, but will they continue to range throughout the winter? Their run is not covered - should it be, to increase usable space for them when the snow hits?

The last thing I want is for the chickens to be stuck in their coop all winter with nowhere else they want to go. I admit that the coop space is a little smaller than usually suggested for my number of hens, but it's been working out great because they really only use it as a sleeping and feeding spot.

Anyway, I'd love to hear everyone's experiences on keeping chickens safe and happy through the winter. Thanks!

 

[Imp]

I have a small coop and covered run. The chickens won't walk on the white stuff, so they are pretty much trapped by their fear. Luckily we don't get much snow.

Imp-has been known to shovel the lawn to give the chickens some green to play on.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Mine free range all year long. When the first couple of snows hit, they kind of stay back, but sooner or later their hunger overcomes them

 

[Monk]

My coop was built with winter in mind, well ventilated and insulated coop. A southern facing window to take advantage of the low winter sun. It has electric for waterer heater and one 100w bulb to extend the daylight time and may take the edge off the chilly mornings.
We get some serious snow from time to time, relatively, two feet plus. The run is covered and well pitch to shed the snow. I have plywood panels for the north and west sides to keep the bulk of the snow out, keeping it manageable for the chickens. Never had a problem with chickens going out in the snow, but a few mealworms should coax them out and forget about the snow.
I plan on posting pics of this winter experiences...

 

[newchicksnducks]

As a fellow Ohioan, I'm interested in this too. In northeast Ohio, 2 feet of snow is nothing. We often have to shovel that much after one storm, and accumaltive snow can be 3+ and above. With that much snow, I know I'll have to shovel the pen some, although I probably will not do the whole 25x30 pen. Will the hens come out in a couple of inches?

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Wow! That is one sturdy looking set-up there!! You are well prepared for lots of snow! Lucky chickens...

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Wow! That is one sturdy looking set-up there!! You are well prepared for lots of snow! Lucky chickens...

I agree! Very nice coop!

 

[CityChook]

Everyone's chickens are a little bit different. My girls free range in the summer/fall and are mostly inside through the bulk of the winter. They have a covered run and the pop door is open daily, but they don't come out much. They will come out if I bribe them with treats and shovel paths for them from the coop to the cement back patio where they like to sunbathe. They don't care for snow, but will tolerate icy paths (we don't see the ground for several months at a time).

Maybe try hanging a cabbage in the run to give them something to jump/pick at. Boredom and tight quarters can often lead to feather picking and cannibalism problems.

Be aware that sometimes predator problems with free range flocks can go up in the wintertime as food sources get more scarce.

Since your coop is on the smaller side, I'd strongly recommend reinforcing your run and covering at least a portion of it. Maybe you can coax them outside to give them a little space to get away from each other. I don't think your winter is quite as harsh as mine...