Topic of the Week - Preparing for Cold Weather

[someonewholovesgeese]

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Fall is a transition time before winter, so it’s a great time to start preparing for cold weather. This week, let’s share tips on getting the flock ready for winter. For example:

• What steps do you take in the fall to prepare your chickens and coop for winter’s cold?
• Do you use heat sources, like heat lamps or radiant heaters, during the fall to prepare them for colder temperatures?
• How do you manage water to prevent freezing in early cold snaps?
• What are your thoughts on increasing feed or using supplements to prepare for the cold?

Anything else you'd like to add?

For a complete list of our Topic of the Week threads, see here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

i dont have to do any of this lol its summer for me soon so i do the opposite

 

[Mamilo]

Hello everyone!

In the closed section, I install 2 radiant heating panels on opposite walls that are plugged to a thermocube. They turn on automatically when it gets to -10 Celsius. I will add 6 inches of bedding on the floor for better insulation. It has plenty of ventilation overhead so moisture is not an issue. I might add seedling mats to the bottom of the nesting boxes if the eggs have a tendency to freeze. I will monitor and see.

For the chicken run, the heated waterer is already plugged in as we’ve had overnight sub zero temps already. The translucent tarps will be reinstalled all around early November. No additional heat is provided as the roof is polycarbonate and heats up the area on sunny days. It’s also easy to roll up the tarps during warmer days. The translucent roof and tarps also keep the chicken run bright with lots of light.

I will shovel out the composted bedding in the chicken run and reapply a thick layer of wood pellets and large flake wood chips (I change the bedding in spring and autumn).

The new addition this winter will be a heated pet bowl to provide warm mash (their feed with warm water) on cold mornings. Cooked eggs and dried mealworms are provided once in a while as treats, as their main feed is an organic crumble feed.

That’s about it! Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

I live in western SD, and it is generally fairly dry, but we do get snow, and we do get cold weather.

In the run, I have two small shelters, I put shower doors in front of one, and plexiglass in front of the other. This gives them wind protection and on a sunny day, it is much warmer in there. It is not sealed, it is wide open on both sides. I don't try and trap the heat.

I put quite a bit of bedding in the run. It keeps their feet cleaner. If I hear that there is snow coming, I will pitch that bedding up into mini haystacks. After the snow, I flip that hay on top of the snow, and it encourages them to come out.

I don't have electricity - I use black rubber bowls. If it is sunny, I will fill the empty one, flip the frozen one upside down. The black will absorb enough heat that the ice falls out. But if it is cloudy, I just stomp it out.

Do look inside your coop when your birds are roosted. I like the roost to be away from the walls, and 12-15 inches above their head is the ceiling. This keeps their breath from condensing on the wall and ceiling before it leaves the coop.

Think DRY not warm, dry chickens are warm chickens if out of the wind.

Mrs K

 

[Mommas1984]

Since I am new to this, my chickens during the summer.So when it snows , i'm not sure how to take care of them , what kind of thing should I do to make sure they're warm besides letting them be in my house

 

[Mamilo]

Since I am new to this, my chickens during the summer.So when it snows , i'm not sure how to take care of them , what kind of thing should I do to make sure they're warm besides letting them be in my house

Where are ou located? Does it get cold in winter? Letting them in your house is not the best option. If you search this site, there are several great tips on how to care for chickens during winter.

 

[Mommas1984]

Where are ou located? Does it get cold in winter? Letting them in your house is not the best option. If you search this site, there are several great tips on how to care for chickens during winter.

Idaho and Oregon border

 

[BDutch]

Idaho and Oregon border

I suppose this article from @BYC Project Manager is a good article for your climate : https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/caring-for-chickens-in-the-winter.77128/

 

[Doodlemom63]

I’m in NC in the middle section of NC to be more precise is there anyone with tips for this area?
My chickens have been moved to a friends farm due to neighbor issue but they are very well taken care of but I want to make sure they stay warm especially my silkies! I have a brooder heater I was thinking of putting inside their new coop closed in with two small windows, they will be partially closed there are two vents over both doors. I’m not there to make them a warm breakfast it’s about a 15+ minute drive from me. I sure do miss my babies bedding inside the coop is large and small flakes same in the run I really like using the horse pelleted bedding under that to help absorb the moisture in their poop then in spring I scoop out they heavier used section then add more large flakes until. I’m not sure about the water container but will check today and edit my post. Thanks to everyone who gives great tips and suggestions
Ss

 

[Mommas1984]

I suppose this article from @BYC Project Manager is a good article for your climate : https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/caring-for-chickens-in-the-winter.77128/

Thanks

 

[Luna Mesa]

What steps do you take in the fall to prepare your chickens and coop for winter’s cold?

Not too much we have mild winters here in Southern Colorado. We will see some -22° temps. I feed some scratch at those times for a little extra heat. I put the window in the coop. I set out the waterer heaters after the first frost. I put some extra gravel on the coop floor.

Do you use heat sources, like heat lamps or radiant heaters, during the fall to prepare them for colder temperatures?

No. I know this can be a touchy subject and everyone has to do what is right for their area. We don't get that cold here normally. We run about 18-22° average at night during the winter.

How do you manage water to prevent freezing in early cold snaps?

Not to much changes on that. I don't change my Little Giant 3 gallon waterer I just set it on a Poultry Heated Base.

What are your thoughts on increasing feed or using supplements to prepare for the cold?

I free choice my hens standard feed anyway. I do give them scratch during super cold times. I always have extra eggs which I bake and chop up and feed back to my hens.