Preparing for winter

[Mz Mitch]

Good morning, I am raising 12 chicks that we'll be 3 months next week. They are currently in a metal chicken coop which I am trying to figure out how to cover them for the winter. Below is on the left is where the chicks are currently located. Thanks.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Where are you located? What kind of winters do you get?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Just saw your other post. You don’t have to worry about feet of snow but you’ll need to keep drafts off them. A couple tarps can work or I have seen people use canvas. You could just do three sides so they have a draft-free but well-ventilated place to sleep. The humidity is the worst thing here in the winter. I haven’t had my flock all year yet but I got a coop that I can open fully on two sides that also has ventilation on the top so that moisture doesn’t build up inside the coop.

 

[Mz Mitch]

Where are you located? What kind of winters do you get?

I am located in Shelby county, Tennessee. Currently our weather is in lower 70s but it can get down to the 50s and upper 40s.

 

[Mz Mitch]

Just saw your other post. You don’t have to worry about feet of snow but you’ll need to keep drafts off them. A couple tarps can work or I have seen people use canvas. You could just do three sides so they have a draft-free but well-ventilated place to sleep. The humidity is the worst thing here in the winter. I haven’t had my flock all year yet but I got a coop that I can open fully on two sides that also has ventilation on the top so that moisture doesn’t build up inside the coop.

Okay, this is my first time raising chicks. As you see in the picture I do have adult chickens and ducks. My husband and I wrapped the coops in clear plastic leaving 3 baseball size opening at the top of the coops for ventilation for last year's winter. Thank you for your advice.

 

[NatJ]

I am located in Shelby county, Tennessee. Currently our weather is in lower 70s but it can get down to the 50s and upper 40s.

I see the pen already has a roof. Maybe add a windbreak on one or two sides of the pen. That should be all they need.

Chickens that have protection from rain/snow and from wind can do just fine in temperatures well below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit), so if your temperatures are staying above 40 I do not think there is any reason to worry.

Okay, this is my first time raising chicks. As you see in the picture I do have adult chickens and ducks. My husband and I wrapped the coops in clear plastic leaving 3 baseball size opening at the top of the coops for ventilation for last year's winter. Thank you for your advice.

You said the chicks are three months old: at that age, they should be fine with the same conditions the adults need.

I would probably leave quite a bit more area open for ventilation than you did.

 

[Mz Mitch]

I see the pen already has a roof. Maybe add a windbreak on one or two sides of the pen. That should be all the need.

Chickens that have protection from rain/snow and from wind can do just fine in temperatures well below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit), so if your temperatures are staying above 40 I do not think there is any reason to worry.


You said the chicks are three months old: at that age, they should be fine with the same conditions the adults need.

I would probably leave quite a bit more area open for ventilation than you did.

 

[Mz Mitch]

Hi, Ok!! I just put purchase some clear tarp that will go on the sides for coop where my chicks are in. Hopefully with your advice they should be away from the wind and rain of this upcoming cold weather.

Thanks again

 

[NatJ]

Hi, Ok!! I just put purchase some clear tarp that will go on the sides for coop where my chicks are in. Hopefully with your advice they should be away from the wind and rain of this upcoming cold weather.

Thanks again

Be sure you leave enough ventilation that the coop does not get hot on sunny days (like a greenhouse or like a closed-up car). Even when the outdoor temperature is cool, a closed space with clear sides can get pretty hot sometimes.

It's probably a good idea to check several times on the first sunny day after you put up the clear tarp, and adjust if needed.