Preparing Your Flock & Coop for WINTER

[ShrekDawg]

But see, the employees don't want to wait, takes too long. Same for catching the parakeets, finches etc. Anything. Sad really.

My problem with my chicks is they come when i have food but go to grab them and they take off again. They're a tad calmer though now but barely. I've been trying not.to grab though and they do all come.running

 

[samantha LW]

Actually, we call it chicken Alcatraz chain link buried one foot down, 7ft high wrapped in chicken wire, 2ft wooden landscaping timber wall around bottom, net on top (putting it around the tree was a nightmare but worth it). And if I don't claim you as a pet or friend you are not safe in my yard. Here is security detail waiting to go inside. We live on a farm but have no possums, raccoon, squirrels, etc. The coyotes will only get as close as the very top of my horse pasture.
.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Wow that's a lot of dogs! Haha

 

[samantha LW]

Yes, it is we are slightly crazy, but I am very active in dog rescue so we keep the ones that have either behavioral or health problems to insure that they get the best care possible. My vet says my house is where things go to not die. And where crazy dogs go to become sane.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Awww wow, that's amazing! I'd love to rescue but not sure how our current dog would react plus not sure with the chickens and the neighbors.

 

[WthrLady]

There's people on here who have one whole wall that's mesh and live somewhere I think out west where it's cold and.snowy. Personally, I wouldn't have a whole mesh wall but my point is that as long as it is clean and not drafty, more ventilation is better. Especially with the ceiling being 7 feet tall and it not getting that cold there. Just don't have drafts blowing directly on the roost and they will be fine! I plan on installing plenty of windows and vents in my coop

also have a totally open ended coop. Am in Nebraska. Insane winds and brutal cold.

 

[ShrekDawg]

also have a totally open ended coop. Am in Nebraska. Insane winds and brutal cold.

Wow! And your chickens do fine?

 

[WthrLady]

Yup. Coop is totally wind free if you keep the windows shut. My full coop and run are on my blog below.

If real temps go below -20, i do put them in the barn. That's real temp not windchill.

Adding in. They get extra protein and corn scratch 1.5 hours before the night roost time.

Also, with all the windows, on a sunny day the coop can be 15-20 degrees warmer than outside.

Today, no sun. 30mph winds pouring rain. 41' outside 55 inside

No lights that give off heat or heat lamps.

 

[Blooie]

Well, the new tarp we ordered was just delivered, so I suppose that means I'm going to have to put on my big girl, um, britches and help Ken put it up when he gets home. Is it really bad of me to hope that he doesn't make it across the mountains until after dark? <sigh>

 

[lazy gardener]

Oh yeah. You don't want him to get home until after dark. Then serve up that delicious supper you've got cooking, (soup?) and tuck him into bed for the night. Tomorrow is a new and fresh day. My tarps have been shipped (I think from Yuma Tarps) so should be here by the weekend.