Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

[Alaskan]

@gotthefever

insulation can be very helpful,

the pros:
- if your building wasn't the best, it will help block out any gaps, so make the building completely draft free
- if you have lots of wind, it will keep warmth in the coop, not let the wind pull it away

the cons:
-rodents love to get into the walls

if you think that you might have rodent problems (I have lots up here) you can keep them out of the walls by lining the bottom of the walls with hardware cloth, the tiny mesh, where ever you think they might try to get in.

The only thing, is if you do insulate, don't block all the vents! LOTS of ventilation is best.

A well insulated coop, with a large amount of ventilation, is excellent.

I have one insulated coop, and a bunch of uninsulated ones. The insulated one, even with windows wide open, is way warmer. However, I didn't have hardware cloth to use on my other coops, so they have stayed uninsulated. I have thought that it would make them better, and not invite rodents, if I insulated only the ceilings, but I haven't gotten around to that.

Anyway, the poultry in the uninsulated coops do just fine.



As to you water....you could always bring the waterer into the house at night, that way you don't have to deal with a giant thick ice cube in the morning.

 

[collingwood]

In Australia it's summer so it's really hot at the moment!

 

[gotthefever]

Yeah, forget those snowbirds. I want to live in Australia in the winter! My Dad lived there for a few years, wonderful people, best sayings.


Ooooh, 'cept for those, poisonous snakes and spiders... I'll suffer through PA winter.

 

[Alaskan]

that is one thing about Alaska too.... almost zero bugs



(OK, OK, there are swarms of mosquitoes and no-see-ums)

 

[gotthefever]

Alaskan,

Thanks so much, I didn't dare hope that you would respond with so much info!

Mice do come in my house I live in the pseudo country so, par...)

I am so small scale, its laughable, compared to you all. "Coop" is a doghouse, I think a mouse is kinda taking his chances with those two vicious pecking anything hens, ha!) Feed is all in the house in a plastic tub.

The 2 d'uccles sleep under the big hens (even though they are at it a bit in the run, all bets are off when snuggle time comes)

I will insulate, this winter is just getting started and the girls I feel need a break. Either carpet padding or pink foam sheets either one I would cover with landscape fabric(all of which I have in stock, lol)

I have to go open the coop and say good morning, so taking a cup of hot water along with my tea and a mug of chick crumbles, layer pellets and scratch is no biggie for this juggler.

Cheers

 

[scottcaddy]

How is the dog (coop) house working?
I hope all is going well in this changing weather!
Scott

 

[Nardo]

I am very very new to chickens (except my parents had them but I didn't pay any attention) and I bow to the experience of others. And I have only 2 chickens, one of which is a barred rock and she does shiver when it gets to 25F like it is here today in Northern Texas. She still goes outside, but she shivers. The coop is only heated with a lamp a few nights a year and even then it only pulls the temp up maybe 5 degrees. They have full feathers, more so than the place where I got them several months ago. I returned a rooster this weekend, who was supposed to be a hen, and I noticed that the chicks there are much less feathered and they are inside a more controlled environment. Anyways, just adding to the general comments here.

 

[Alaskan]

Shivering is fine.

Even though shivering does mean that they are cold, shivering helps them to increase their body temperature, just like it does with humans.

And also, if they are used to warmer temperatures, they will shiver for a few days while they are getting used to the colder temperatures.

It takes some time for them to adjust, you need to be patient.

What is important, is to make sure that they have a WIND FREE area, especially where they perch. Also, make sure that they have LOTS of food. They will eat much more when they are cold, and they need the extra feed to keep themselves warm.

If you have high humidity as well as cold, you should make sure that they have a WIDE perch to sleep on. You want the feet flat.

But, even with only 2 hens, as long as you follow the above points, you don't need to provide heat.

With only 2, I would consider adding heat at a 0F.

 

[WthrLady]

My single roo, in his own well ventilated, open coop has been fine, alone, at -15 real temp. (not the wind-chill)

 

[Alaskan]

My single roo, in his own well ventilated, open coop has been fine, alone, at -15 real temp. (not the wind-chill)

thanks for the info! very good to know!