Upstate New York and My Girls (and Bob)

[lmdengler]

My husband modified the run area so it has an extension on it. I have been watching videos and thinking of putting up clear plastic panels all the way around and then on the short end where the coop is closing it in with plywood to protect the water and feeder. I also read in another book to change the roost to wider boards so their feet are flat. and remain under them at night when they roost. Thoughts?

 

[21hens-incharge]

I do have the wider boards. I always have had them so do not know if it makes a difference.

Closing the end with plywood is a good idea. Keeping the food dry is important.

A creative way to get a feeder in the coop is to hang a rabbit feeder on the clean out door. It only takes up a couple inches that way.

To answer the huddling question. Yes on really cold/snowy/windy days they will huddle inside.

Heck I do that too.

That coop is light enough and small enough..... Might be helpful to move it closer to the house on the south side. The house will help break the wind and the south side will get the most sun.

 

[21hens-incharge]

For the omlet coop.....
Hard to suggest drilling any holes to add a hanging feeder......

For them taking a small open dish of feed out twice a day and just setting it in the coop is worth a shot.


Both of those coops make me worry about high winds blowing them over.

 

[peckpeckpeck]

For the omlet coop.....
Hard to suggest drilling any holes to add a hanging feeder......

For them taking a small open dish of feed out twice a day and just setting it in the coop is worth a shot.


Both of those coops make me worry about high winds blowing them over.

Thanks for your advice!
Yeah I don't want to drill into the walls if I don't have to, most because I don't know if that will affect the insulation.

We had really high winds already & it was ok. It has a wide skirt all the way around that I buried in dirt & secured with those upside down U shaped metal stakes.

I was planning to turn one of those playhouses into a 2nd coop for when we expand next spring. Maybe we should just do that now...

 

[aart]

All - this will be my first winter with the girls (and Bob). I am wondering what I shoudl do to help keep them warm. The coop I have is from TSC and it's thin wood and I think fairly "open". https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/innovation-pet-extra-large-green-walk-in-coop-up-to-15-chickens
What should I do to help keep them warm AND not create a fire/burn hazard? I was reading online about hanging those plastic walls. My brother suggests putting hay bails around the outside of the coop to prevent the snow from blowing in. Another upstate NY chicken owner says they will be just fine. I am worried sick and just looking for ideas. Somehow I don't think my husband will go for keeping them in the kitchen when it snows out. I just want to prepare.

That coop is going to be mighty tight quarters for 9 birds. I'm betting they are already sleeping in nests.

I'd put clear plastic tarps around entire run(keep upper 6" open for ventilation)straw/hay bales around bottom a good idea ...and add a big ventilation opening in coop wall on the run side. Hope hope hope the roof doesn't leak....dry and ventilated is way more important than 'heat'.