- Apr 15, 2009
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I live in NH and don't have heat in my coop. I have cold-hardy breeds- Giants and Wyandottes. It got to -25 degrees with a biting wind last winter and that was the only morning I put a heat lamp in their coop for the wee hours, but I don't think they really needed it (it made me feel better, though). My experience with my chickens has been that they are less bothered by cold than by heat. They do hate to get wet, so I have their run completely covered in the winter.
I also have linoleum/vinyl over plywood on the floor of my coop- much easier to maintain and I highly recommend it.
As far as water in the winter goes- I water mine twice a day in the winter and they do fine. They will peck at the ice in their water dish as it forms and prevent it from freezing solidly for most of the day.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
I also have linoleum/vinyl over plywood on the floor of my coop- much easier to maintain and I highly recommend it.
As far as water in the winter goes- I water mine twice a day in the winter and they do fine. They will peck at the ice in their water dish as it forms and prevent it from freezing solidly for most of the day.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
