Preparing Your Flock & Coop for WINTER

[uzisuzuki]

What do people do for lighting in the coop? I know that if you keep a light on for them they may lay eggs through winter.

I've got a couple of those little LEDs that you stick to a wall and push to turn on in my coop for extra lighting. However, I can't tell you if that helps with laying or not as this is my first winter with the coop. It's mostly so I can make sure everyone went up for the night and there aren't any stragglers since I get home from work when it's dark now (thank you, Daylight Savings). They were cheap, though, and run on AA batteries, so that might not have the staying power needed to help supplement for laying purposes?

 

[lazy gardener]

If you start a light, you'll need to work into it gradually, adding about 1/2 hour/week until they are up to a total of 14 hours. I use 7W CFL on a timer.

 

[KarennFallon]

I'm am so new at this and have read so many interesting methods that my head is swimming. The 8x10x6 coop was were when we rented and just needed sweeping from last user quite some yrs before. Older chicken wire run 9x16 has been reinforced, wire roofed, no free range. Good ventilation and pop door open 24/7. Mid-Sept, insert 1 Banty Cochin rooster and five mixed hens all 2015 hatch, purchased from owner that decided he didn't want to fool with them. All doing well, so far, fat, happy and laying. Now comes winter, desert area 60 miles East of Reno, NV. Never much snow, lots of wind and below freezing quite often. Some say, no light, let birds acclimate to cold, some say, yes, heat lamp, insulate. What is best? So far it's only mid-Nov and this is what I've been doing. Coop not insulated, stud walls, pop door still open 24/7, heat lamp, on center beam, goes on as long as weather at freezing, goes off above that, food and water, grit and oyster shell inside. Straw on floor, thicker under roosts and nesting area, none around food and water. Straw on dirt floor of run to help protect feet. They all still seem to be fat, happy and laying. Should I plastic around the run? And what about mites or lice that you hear about? I've never even checked them, they roll in the dirt from time to time, but don't appear to be preening or itchy. Should I be doing something as a routine in that area?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

One thing about chicken keeping is there's no right way, I personally like a more natural approach, no heat and no light, we can get down to -40 at times and all mine do fine, my shed is uninsulated and a door is always open. I do hay on the frozen ground for those wishing to go outside. The only time I've had trouble with mites or lice is broody hens and anyone who is unwell from other things, dust bathing keeps parasites under control. Chickens appreciate a wind break and a sunny window. I personally don't need to worry about fires because I don't use any heat.

 

[PouleNoire]

If you start a light, you'll need to work into it gradually, adding about 1/2 hour/week until they are up to a total of 14 hours. I use 7W CFL on a timer.

Thank you so much for the information!

 

[PouleNoire]

This is also my first winter with chickens and I do not plan to add any heat, so far they have gotten along fine without it and it has lately been getting rather snowy and the temp has dropped, but they seem happy (although they still need a nudge to try out the deeper snow since all they have had experience with has been lightly sprinkled snow!)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

None of mine like stepping on bare snow, and only the very brave will attempt to go through deep snow.

 

[PouleNoire]

Ya, it is not really very "deep" just not light sprinkles. Mine don't mind the snow, in fact the love it, they just are not sure of this much!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've always suspected mine were being babies, though I can understand that they don't know how deep the snow is, yours are very adventurous. I shovel my bantam run and put hay down, every time it snows.

 

[PouleNoire]

My guess is that I will have to shovel a path for them when it gets built up so they can get some fresh air.