Preparing for Winter - In MO...

[ashl768]

This will be my girls first winter outdoors, they will be one years old in December. We live in MO and I"m trying to get an idea what I need to do to be prepared for winter. Our coop is is really for roosting/nesting... there is plenty room to roam, however my chickens are free ranging all day long and have been ever since I put them outdoors in March/April.

I need to know:
1. Are my chickens going to continue to free range during the day (outside of the coop) or will they want to stay in the coop all day? I don't close the coop at night or during the day, the "door" is left open all day/night... they go in and out as they please.
2. Is it going to hurt them if I continue to keep the coop open for them to free range during the day? (Will they freeze if they choose to stay outside during the day?)
3. Do I have to provide heat for them? As long as I keep fresh water/food... do they need heat?
4. My coop is made from plywood type wood with a tarp over the top with a well ventilated window at the top- do I need to do anything else to keep it warmer inside?

Thanks for all who take the time to answer my questions! It's really appreciated when experienced chicken folks answer all of the newbies!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

They will continue to free range unless there is snow.
They will be fine without any added heat

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

This will be my girls first winter outdoors, they will be one years old in December. We live in MO and I"m trying to get an idea what I need to do to be prepared for winter. Our coop is is really for roosting/nesting... there is plenty room to roam, however my chickens are free ranging all day long and have been ever since I put them outdoors in March/April.

I need to know:
1. Are my chickens going to continue to free range during the day (outside of the coop) or will they want to stay in the coop all day? I don't close the coop at night or during the day, the "door" is left open all day/night... they go in and out as they please. They will range as long as there is not too much snow. Some chickens will go play in the snow, and some don't like to. I have both in my flock.
2. Is it going to hurt them if I continue to keep the coop open for them to free range during the day? (Will they freeze if they choose to stay outside during the day?) Not in the slightest--the ventilation will actually be good for them.
3. Do I have to provide heat for them? As long as I keep fresh water/food... do they need heat? No. Chickens have a built-in down coat. It's actually stressful for them to go from the unheated outside to a heated coop and back again. Think about how you'd feel if you came in from outside and couldn't take your coat off in the warm house.
4. My coop is made from plywood type wood with a tarp over the top with a well ventilated window at the top- do I need to do anything else to keep it warmer inside? No. They'll be fine. The best things you can do for them are to make sure they have constant access to unfrozen water and food and their coop is kept clean and dry. It's moisture+ lack of ventilation + cold that causes frostbite, not cold alone.

Thanks for all who take the time to answer my questions! It's really appreciated when experienced chicken folks answer all of the newbies!

See above. Also, here's a great article for you, from the BYC Learning Center: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-coop-temperatures

 

[aart]

Good advice on the wintering, but just curious.....Your coop is open 24/7 with no enclosed run?.....and no predator losses?

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Good advice on the wintering, but just curious.....Your coop is open 24/7 with no enclosed run?.....and no predator losses?

I was surprised by this, too. I've gotten home after dark and went to close my pop-door, and found an owl inside. TWICE. We've also had weasels and raccoons. I was wondering how the OP still had any chickens left.

 

[ashl768]

We live in the city, and the are no wooded areas around at all. The commonly seem animals in our neighborhood are dogs and cats... I'm sure I've been lucky. At first I was going behind them and closing up after they went in at night, & opening every morning, but then decided to just leave it open. And luckily I haven't had any issues, please don't jinx me!

 

[ashl768]

Thank you for all who replied, you guys made me feel much better!