Topic of the Week - Preparing for Cold Weather

[Mother of Chaos]

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
View attachment 4237270

So sorry that you’re separated from your chickens! I need my backyard chicken therapy at the end of a long day.

I’m in western NC in the mountains, so colder than midstate, and I don’t plan to add heaters. Chickens live in down body suits 24/7!

But what they do need in winter is a dry, well-ventilated, non-drafty coop. They need good-sized air gaps (~1 sq ft per bird) near the top to allow moist, ammonia-laden air to escape. Near the top means a foot or so above their heads when they’re on the roost(s). Non-drafty means no air gaps allowing wind to blow directly on their bodies.

@Debbie292d for silkie-specific advice

 

[Doodlemom63]

So sorry that you’re separated from your chickens! I need my backyard chicken therapy at the end of a long day.

I’m in western NC in the mountains, so colder than midstate, and I don’t plan to add heaters. Chickens live in down body suits 24/7!

But what they do need in winter is a dry, well-ventilated, non-drafty coop. They need good-sized air gaps (~1 sq ft per bird) near the top to allow moist, ammonia-laden air to escape. Near the top means a foot or so above their heads when they’re on the roost(s). Non-drafty means no air gaps allowing wind to blow directly on their bodies.

@Debbie292d for silkie-specific advice

They have a really nice coop for nighttime and it’s dry and not drafty I do plan to add pelleted horse bedding under layer large flakes for winter which will help with adsorption of the poop it really helps with odor in the run too