So of course, it was 70*F yesterday, and today there is snow on the ground.... (stupid storm system just HAD to move our way
)
I scrambled and beefed up the shavings and supplied some even more covered areas inside my coop for my 6-8 week old chickens to cuddle up under, atleast as an option to preserve more body heat. Everyone seems to have made it though the night just fine, but now I have some questions about my coop and what if anything I need to do to get it winter ready. (I know, I know, long way off, but I still worry.) My coop is 16'x16' by 6' high. It is planned to hold about 50 chickens in this space. (currently is it at 54 chickens)
My waterers were slightly frozen over. I think i am going to have to get a small solar panel so that I can have electricity out there to run a heated water dishes., but any other ideas for how to keep the water inside the coop from freezing with out electricity? (coop is on a piece of isolated property 10 miles from the house.)
also, do I worry about snow getting in though the small cracks in the wall? The wind was viscious last night. blowing extremely hard, but it was still shocking to see snow piled up on the side inside the building. I there is a small 2-3 millimeters at most ventilation crack along bottom board and that is where it got in. (the opposite side has a similar crack long the top wall to help provide air flow without drafts) So do I worry about snow being able to get in? or do I let it stay as it is and leave the ventilation hole alone?
![](https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/5685684/width/500/height/1000)
anyways, here is what I did as a temporary measure to provide an even warmer area inside the coop since they hadnt really been out of the brooder for very long. I wasnt thrilled with having to use a trash bag filled with leaves and twigs as a "wall." but it was all I had at the last minute. It was hard to tell but there is a large pile of shavings and leaves under there for them to cuddle up in. It seems that the cold will stay around for a second day before it gets warmer. any suggestions for temporary improves to make?
![](https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/5685696/width/500/height/1000)
![Stick Out Tongue :p :p](/styles/byc-smilies/tongue.png)
I scrambled and beefed up the shavings and supplied some even more covered areas inside my coop for my 6-8 week old chickens to cuddle up under, atleast as an option to preserve more body heat. Everyone seems to have made it though the night just fine, but now I have some questions about my coop and what if anything I need to do to get it winter ready. (I know, I know, long way off, but I still worry.) My coop is 16'x16' by 6' high. It is planned to hold about 50 chickens in this space. (currently is it at 54 chickens)
My waterers were slightly frozen over. I think i am going to have to get a small solar panel so that I can have electricity out there to run a heated water dishes., but any other ideas for how to keep the water inside the coop from freezing with out electricity? (coop is on a piece of isolated property 10 miles from the house.)
also, do I worry about snow getting in though the small cracks in the wall? The wind was viscious last night. blowing extremely hard, but it was still shocking to see snow piled up on the side inside the building. I there is a small 2-3 millimeters at most ventilation crack along bottom board and that is where it got in. (the opposite side has a similar crack long the top wall to help provide air flow without drafts) So do I worry about snow being able to get in? or do I let it stay as it is and leave the ventilation hole alone?
anyways, here is what I did as a temporary measure to provide an even warmer area inside the coop since they hadnt really been out of the brooder for very long. I wasnt thrilled with having to use a trash bag filled with leaves and twigs as a "wall." but it was all I had at the last minute. It was hard to tell but there is a large pile of shavings and leaves under there for them to cuddle up in. It seems that the cold will stay around for a second day before it gets warmer. any suggestions for temporary improves to make?