Upstate New York and My Girls (and Bob)

[lmdengler]

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.

 

[Rickba]

Hi, As long as they're dry and out of the wind they'll be just fine. I live in the mountains of NW Pa. and always make sure I get cold hearty breeds. The only thing is frost bit on the comb and waddles. You can put Vaseline on them at night to prevent this.

 

[lmdengler]

Hi, As long as they're dry and out of the wind they'll be just fine. I live in the mountains of NW Pa. and always make sure I get cold hearty breeds. The only thing is frost bit on the comb and waddles. You can put Vaseline on them at night to prevent this.

I have 3 barred rocks, 1 lady orphington, 4 red rock, 1 lady wyandotte, and Bob who is a silver laced orpington. Would you consider these "cold weather" chickens? Our temps in January go as low as -13-ish.

 

[Rickba]

The breeds you have should be OK in NY.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I agree they should be OK up there.

Some folks secure clear shower curtains on the side the wind blows in from to keep snow out of the run.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

You can also look into radiant heat. (google or amazon)

 

[21hens-incharge]

Seriously... Please do not put a heat lamp in that small coop.

I don't want to read about your coop and birds burning up.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Seriously... Please do not put a heat lamp in that small coop.

I don't want to read about your coop and birds burning up.

I wasn't suggesting a heat lamp, as they scare me to friggen death! But radiant heat would be ok, yes?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Oh I did not think you were suggesting one at all. Just wanted to caution the OP about coop fires. So many times we read the tragic stories of coops and flocks and even the humans house burning down from using them. An easily avoided tragedy.

That many birds in that size coop and being hearty breeds should do well with no added heat.

 

[peckpeckpeck]

I have a similar question
So having the wire run open like that is ok for the winter?
I'm in Portland where we get a lot of rain & some gusty winds all winter. And people are saying this winter might be as cold & icy as last, which we called Snowmageddon.
I was thinking of the shower curtains. Will the girls just huddle in the small raises henhouse? I can't really fit water & feed in mine
I got the Omlet Eglu Cube
https://www.omlet.us/shop/chicken_keeping/eglu_cube/