What do I do in winter?

[mamahenny]

Thank you for all of your comments! I have a small door in the back of my coop, it is kind of like a pop door and I will leave that open for them!

 

[newdock]

When it gets colder than about -15, then I close up even the small little doorway that they have in order to try to keep the heat in. I use a heat lamp hanging over their water to keep it from freezing and a large heater behind wire to prevent frostbite. Even with this set-up, I have had roos with frost bitten combs when the weather gets down to -40 and my coop is insulated.

As far as snow goes...last year we had 10 feet in all....we had to shovel out their run for them and even then, only a select few were brave enough to venture out. It was a long winter...

 

[Katy]

I just have the walk in door open in the day time. I think the fresh air in the coop does them good....and they come out of the coop anyway during the day pretty much no matter what the weather is.

 

[rainbowgardens]

Well, after reading this I think maybe I need to lighten up a little on my winter insulation and do more ventalation. I'm not sure if I'm ready to have a huge open wall on my coop for the winter though.

In my central Virginia location, the coldest I've seen it get is about 5 degrees. Could my bird's combs really be safe from freezing with an open wall on an 8x8' coop?

 

[patandchickens]

LOL -- practically EVERYBODY is sure their winters are cold.

From a chicken standpoint, I assure you that Delaware winters do not even *approach* coldness

(I grew up outside Philly and went to college at U of DE, so I do have some idea whereof I speak, here

)

Just keep your indoor air quality good (not more humid than outdoors, i.e. as dry as humanly possible through good ventilation etc) and nondrafty, and they will be fine. Certainly you can leave the pophole open during the day, just make some kind of windbreak if it's on the typically-upwind side of the coop. Your chickens will be FINE

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[LynneP]

We have a pop door too and the hens love winter! You'll have to feed more, but they will get plush and enjoy the time. Helps to have an electric dog bowl to keep water from freezing or other plans. Some thoughts here, with pics:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-seasonal-concerns