What are you doing to get your coop/run ready for winter?

[Creed Bennett]

I found a good deal on enough metal to cover my entire run on Friday. I spent Saturday putting it on. Next thing is to figure out the water situation. I got to get some heated waterers of some sort.

 

[VI KING RANCH]

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AKA your inviting me over...how nice

 

[Imp]

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I live in the same area as you and this is my first winter with chickens. Since the Seattle area has a somewhat mild winter, do the girls need that much winterizing here? I want to make sure their run is covered in case we do get some decent snow. But other than that, as long as the water doesn't freeze, they should be alright, right? I know the dogs water rarely ended up frozen solid, but frosted over a little, which I would watch closely.

No, absolute temperature is not as important as other factors. Chickens are fine to below 0*F. Here I'd be more worried about the humidity, dampness, winds, insulation, elevation etc. Just be aware and have a plan on what to do. Remember last years Thanksgiving week? Sunny and shorts weather to teens and blowing snow in a matter of a couple hours. My chickens have never been fond of walking on snow, so they stay inside, unless I shovel paths around the yard. I use a little heat to keep the ice off the water and just keep them a bit more comfortable. They are pets after all. You are fine with a dry draft free coop.

Imp

 

[kuntrygirl]

Getting my outside fireplaces ready and collecting firewood for the open/air coops to keep the chill off of them.

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

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Walmart

Dang! I can't believe this! I was just at Walmart tonight stocking up on snacks and drinks for work and completly forgot to buy the plastic!

I'll get it tomorrow before I go to 858 at TTU tomorrow.

 

[Jobele]

We put 4 ml plastic around the big coop and then my breeder pens will have the 4 mil plastic put over the windows and the wire bottom of their pens. There is ventilation openings at the top of the coops by the roof so I should be okay there.

Here in Texas it doesn't get that cold and very rarely snows. When it does snow....it doesn't stay on the ground long, so I don't have to worry too much about that. Mostly we have to worry about the cold North winds that can kick up here. But nothing like everybody in the North.....I'm sure it is much harder on you!

 

[Rosaleen]

I have an old fleecy throw I am going to cut up in strips and wrap around the roosts and staple to the bottom of the boards. So when the girls settle down for the night, their tootsies will be a little warmer. Most of my roosts are 2X3s but two are not.