Preparing Your Flock & Coop for WINTER

[islandgirl82]

yes, thats the problem i'm having. Is that every shed seems to cost at least $1000 and that is way out of my budget. So far i'm just doing with what i have. i also have all of my chickens separated for breeding purposes and i'm thinking that a few smaller coops would be better than one large one.

I had the same problem during my search. I scoured craigslist and other buy/sell/trade sites for sheds and found the least expensive/most roomy structure that was portable but built to withstand the elements was an ice fishing shanty. I bought a 4' x 8' one built on skids so it can move when I want or need it to for $250. I installed 2 old windows sashes that open awning style using scrap lumber to frame them out and covered the openings from the inside with hardware cloth so they have plenty of ventilation.

 

[annabelle12]

Here near Pittsburgh PA in zone 6, I make sure our hens are out of the wind, have ventilation in the coop to let out moisture, have fresh water and dry bedding, and a covered outdoor area outside the coop since they love to be out, even in the cold, although sometimes they just tromp around in the snow if its not deep. I made a blog post about my winter habits here: http://grow-grow.blogspot.com/2014/11/winter-ready-chickens.html Good to hear what other folks are doing.

 

[ReillyJ]

i really need to figure out how to keep blowing rain out of my run, it's covered but i guess i'm going to have to do clear tarp around the fencing/perimeter as it gets soaked in there and i'm tired of it! HOPEFULLY this will help, the run floor is concrete and i have a kiddy pool filled with dirt that they hang out on (they only stay in their comfy coop when they lay or roost so otherwise they don't want to be in there. I cannot put anything down on the concrete run until i can really figure out how to keep rain out and around here it rains A L O T and blows in there *SIGH*

 

[annabelle12]

Yes the blowing rain is a bummer! Tarp with rivets tied or zip tied tightly on all around or on the side it usually blows in from should work. I used that technique on a dog kennel I used as a run. Didn't look very elegant but it worked and they loved it. Good luck!

 

[iwiw60]

i really need to figure out how to keep blowing rain out of my run, it's covered but i guess i'm going to have to do clear tarp around the fencing/perimeter as it gets soaked in there and i'm tired of it! HOPEFULLY this will help, the run floor is concrete and i have a kiddy pool filled with dirt that they hang out on (they only stay in their comfy coop when they lay or roost so otherwise they don't want to be in there. I cannot put anything down on the concrete run until i can really figure out how to keep rain out and around here it rains A L O T and blows in there *SIGH*

This is what I did!



I used greenhouse-grade clear plastic sheeting that comes in a roll, 6' x 100' worth. I put it up with lathe strips so it can be easily removed in the spring. If you decide to go this route just make sure you have left the top 6-8" open for ventilation....best of luck to you!

 

[iwiw60]

Well, I've seen it all now! I ran across this "insulated nest box" idea this morning and had to share!

 

[islandgirl82]

I've seen people make outdoor cat houses similar to that but they sure double as a great nest box!

 

[iwiw60]

I've seen people make outdoor cat houses similar to that but they sure double as a great nest box!

Hey, @islandgirl82 !

 

[islandgirl82]

Hey, @islandgirl82 !

Hello @iwiw60 !! How are things over in your corner?

 

[redbudchix]

These are all such great ideas! I live in the mountains of East Tennessee and it can get somewhat cold and very wet. One of the things I do every year is to mulch then bag them for later use. I have 15 bags as we speak. I just dump a bag in the run and stand back. They shred it even more, which adds to the layer of hay they are already on. That way, they keep the hay turned over...