What to do when it gets cold? And I mean COLD! :|

[AppleCrisp]

Quote:

I love that! Hmm now where would I find these....

lol
I'll think about the deep shaving method, thanks.

 

[perrym1962]

-45..Oh my gosh that makes my bones hurt just thinking about it!! Ouch..

 

[1acrefarm]

Have you ever thought of a wood heater in the coop? Is wood available in your area?

 

[Equest94]

Definitely an insulated coop that is draft free, lots of pine shavings AND straw - just pack it in there. You can also try to tie them off to a certain [smaller] section of the coop which will force them to huddle together (as if they don't anyways, lol) and share body heat. Chickens actually produce lots of body warmth and depending on the breed, are very hardy (in winter time) provided they have the appropriate housing, bedding, and feed. I'm not sure if this will work out for you...but you could keep them in your garage - granted out goes your car or whatever else, but it'll save you from having to go out and check on their feed and water (??????).

Other than that, I would strongly suggest asking a local feed store to see what others in your area do.

 

[NS2A]

Definitely make the housing smaller!!

I have a 8x12 for 3 chickens and 2 pygmy goats and I stacked straw from floor to ceiling so the area is smaller, thus less heat loss. So far, so good, but the coldest its gotten is 15F at night.

 

[Omeletta]

Apple Crisp, we also get temps that low here in Alberta. Right now it's -17 c, our first cold day of winter! I only have 4 chickens right now, 2 banties and 2 standards. Our coop is small, plus we have a heat lamp. When it's real cold I won't give them the choice whether they want to go outside, instead I provide diversions so they won't peck each other...an apple, oatmeal, a mirror in the coop, etc...You might want to check out the real hardy breeds, although they have lots of different breeds here, and they seem to do fine.

Hoping the best for you! Enjoy your winter!

Tanya

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

Hi there,
We live about 200 miles south of the Canadian border, so it gets around -20 here in the dead of winter. I'm new at this chicken raising too, we just started last summer & I have a heavy duty ext. cord to my coop which provides power to both an infrared heat lamp & a sealed water heater (it like an oil heater but uses less energy). We already dipping into the single digits to teens (temp wise) but so far, so good.
Also with the deep litter method, it allows them to burrow down in to retain heat. It's my understanding, they lose heat through their feet.
Also use the flat side of a 2x4 for a roost so they can cover they're feet better (when they're not nesting).
Hope this helps,
Lori

 

[AppleCrisp]

Thanks guys

I will defiantly go with a smaller coop and have to try the really deep shaving method. Thanks guys, and yes I get wood where I am

lol

 

[echix]

I think the DLM rocks - we used it one year but we're in the gulf coast area and it is too humid but it DID WORK great in winter!! Dryer areas it would work better as well!!

One thing... in Spring we just poured all the DL stuff over the garden soil that had sat all winter and tilled it in.... I had 10' tall tomato plants and peppers the size of your feet!! LMAO

They did enjoy dustbathing in the deep litter ... and throwing black oil sun flower seeds onto it every other day kept them fattened up for winter and scratching and stirring the litter. It was awesome!.

For what it's worth .... I've been "CHICKINING" for 3 years now .. DLM rocks! If it's extremely cold, use a thermometer and heat bulb or something to stabalize the heat for Winter.

We generally have 3-4 cold snaps and average 40 in the Winter and 110 in Summer so we don't let them get too chilly. HARSHER climates are a different story.

So many great people online here to help!!

 

[McGoo]

We're in NY and it doesn't get nearly as cold as it gets up your way, but we just finished a small and totally insulated coop w/o drafts for our 8 chooks.

We built this coop with 2" styrofoam insulation completely throughout, including all exterior walls and then we covered it with another layer of wood. We added 4 - 6 inches of deep litter using pine shavings. Our chooks are toasty, though yours may still need extra warmth - -40.

If you're interested in the total coop, just check out my website. All the best with the chooks.