We're in for subzero temps. I'd love some idea for making the coop more entertaining

[lazy gardener]

Hay bales and sprouts.

 

[Penny spender]

My run is wrapped in heavy duty clear plastic. I've thrown a few flakes of hay in, then I throw a few handfulls of scratch every morning. -12F here this morning. Keeps them busy for quite a while looking through the hay.

 

[tigger19687]

I ended up cutting up apples, clipped the tall grass I got inside into small pieces.
Also scooped up all the dead/dying mealworms/mealworm beetles with some of their dry oats/wheat bran. <-- all the above went into a big heavy dog bowl so they don't spill it over.

Dumped a good 1-1/2 cups of corn on the floor. They should be happy.
Did not open the pop door, just too cold

 

[DwayneNLiz]

Their coop has heat. I was more concerned about their not having outside time and being too...cooped up lol.

i dont have a heated coop and they are still going outside, even today lol

 

[Amy Carter]

What good chickies! It's my own fault for spoiling them.

 

[Amy Carter]

I ended up cutting up apples, clipped the tall grass I got inside into small pieces.
Also scooped up all the dead/dying mealworms/mealworm beetles with some of their dry oats/wheat bran. <-- all the above went into a big heavy dog bowl so they don't spill it over.

Dumped a good 1-1/2 cups of corn on the floor. They should be happy.
Did not open the pop door, just too cold

Thank you for reminding me about the heavy bowl thing. I keep forgetting and having the tipping over bowl annoyance thing.

 

[Amy Carter]

My run is wrapped in heavy duty clear plastic. I've thrown a few flakes of hay in, then I throw a few handfulls of scratch every morning. -12F here this morning. Keeps them busy for quite a while looking through the hay.

Awesome. Where do you get the plastic? Is that just a home depot thing?

 

[DwayneNLiz]

i use the 'indestructible' horse grain bowls

 

[Penny spender]

Awesome. Where do you get the plastic? Is that just a home depot thing?

Yup. just the local hardware store. Came on a hundred foot roll. I chose the heaviest weight and it's holding up well so far. I think it was $40 bucks for the roll. I have 2x4's under for support.

 

[Chullicken]

that's awesome! what is the run covered with? I'm wondering what will withstand the snow weight.

Home Cheapo and Lowe's have clear and colored PVC corrugated roof panels. About $11-14 a piece. The Clear UV Protection Panel is around $25. Just run a support beam (2 X 3/2 X 4) along the center and seams, holds up really well and keeps them mostly dry all year.