Snowing Heavily, NEED ADVICE!!!!-UPDATED!!!

[Katy]

One thing you might replace the tarp with so it's lighter for them is a clear shower curtain. That's what I use as a windbreak sometimes. You can cut it to the size you need and staple it on if there's a wood frame.

 

[leasmom]

Thats a good ideal too. THanks.

 

[leasmom]

Thank You so very much!!! I went out there this morning and lifted the tarp and they were warm, happy, and ready to eat. There water wasn't frozen and it seemed to keep the heating lamp I have in there working better by trapping in the heat and yet it is still ventilated...I will try to find a clear shower curtain, a thick one, if not I'll just continue to use the tarp. Thanks again!!!

 

[Wildsky]

Is there space in the coop to put the "brooder"?

I added my babies to the coop when they were around 7 weeks, they were in their own brooder for a few days, and free-ranged with the big gals during the day.

 

[walkswithdog]

I put/built a brooder area into our coop with a door so only the smaller chicks can get through. So they can be in with the big gals but if there's a disagreement they have a place that's warm and protected. Mine are four weeks. Even the big gals like being above the brooder on the cooler nights. (No, they can't poop into it.)

But yeah, shower curtains work, those clear plastic mats for computer chairs to roll on work, tarps and even just heavy polartec fabric help. I once got a ton of polartec fleece cheap and used it for a wind break.

Pine needles are also insulative, so are dry leaves. But ditto the recommendation of a nice hay layer for warmth.

My four week olds already run around outside at day time temps, then head in when they're cold or want feed.

As long as they have a warm place to go, they're usually fine.

 

[leasmom]

unfortunately there isn't any room...I made the coop like a larger sized dog house but there is enough room for up to 20 birds with room for them to move around, roost, eat and a nesting area but not enough room to put a brooder in. I wish I had a walk-in type of coop but we just built what we could at the time...