Will My Chickens Freeze to Death?

[BY Bob]

That is exactly what I wound up doing until I could build a new coop from the ground up. Of course I built the run to connect with the new coop as well as the old so I could just swap out the new coop for the old when it was time.

 

[junebuggena]

That is exactly what I wound up doing until I could build a new coop from the ground up. Of course I built the run to connect with the new coop as well as the old so I could just swap out the new coop for the old when it was time.

Good plan. Also means you have a secondary coop for integrating new birds.

 

[jennkretz]

I worry that part of the reason they aren't going into the coop to sleep is that it may be too small. What's the square footage inside the coop?

That might be true... It was sold that it could house up to 15 (pfft!). They do spend a lot of time hanging out in the "run" and only lay in the coop. I will probably make this whole thing the "coop" and build out the run. They also have a large fenced in areas outside of the actual run where they are given free time to roam/explore daily. Thanks for the insight!

 

[jennkretz]

The problem with most prefab coops is that they are too small and they lack ventilation. The space claims are based on factory farm space standards. I'd turn the whole setup into a coop and rig up a run space with some t-posts and welded wire fencing.

They are allowed out daily to a large, fenced in space. They are just in here for night and when we are away from home. But the more I get into "chickening" I'd just like to make something for my own needs.. Thanks for helping a newbie, y'all!

 

[Gramma Chick]

when it gets really cold, just lock them inside the coop and don't let them outside.
they might not have enough sense to move inside on their own.
they are creatures of habit, and right now their habit is roosting outside.......jiminwisc.....

1) this is their habit ....is there a roost in the run ? Remove it .
Chickens like to roost higher... than the nest boxes ..
Will roost on the nest boxes if they are higher
2) manually put them in the coop at night ..they will probably get used to being in there
3) Coop too small ? see if you can make a roost inside diagonally ..
That will make it longer ...also they may all want to roost on the same roost
Are there 2 inside ?

 

[BY Bob]

That might be true... It was sold that it could house up to 15 (pfft!). They do spend a lot of time hanging out in the "run" and only lay in the coop. I will probably make this whole thing the "coop" and build out the run. They also have a large fenced in areas outside of the actual run where they are given free time to roam/explore daily. Thanks for the insight!

Thast is exactly my set-up. Too funny. I have a 6 foot high privacy fence all the way around the backyard. They have a big run and the we permit supervised free range time for them in the full yard.

Here is the coop now, needs the finishing touches added, the run is directly behind and underneath it. They love the space directly under the coop.

 

[TN Momma Bear]

Hi all!

We started keeping chickens in April and bought a coop from Tractor Supply. I always thought the chickens would sleep IN the coop, but they've slept in the eaves of the run since we put them outside. I always thought it was because it was summer and it was hot.

Well, fast forward to now, they're still doing this. I've insulated the bottom of the run w/ tarping, and put some weather stripping on the top lift-up doors of the nesting boxes. I've added more wood chips to both the coops and the run, and removed one of the roosting bars that came with the coop (in green) and raised and added one (in hot pink). PS - This image is not my coop. However, they still keep roosting where the yellow dots are. My husband keeps telling me not to worry - and if they get cold enough they'll move indoors.

What I want to know is: is this true? Is there something I should do to entice them inside? Am I worrying too much? What do you recommend? It hasn't gotten colder than 17 yet... And they are lively and sassy every morning, but in MI it CAN get much colder...

Also, at what type of weather (or temp) do I do the petroleum jelly thing? Thank you so much all! I'm new to chicken keeping in MI winters...

Best!
Jenn and 2 RIR, 2 Buff Orps, 2 Barred Ply Rocks and 2 Australorps <3

You can also try placing them inside the coop at night so they know it is a safe place to roost as well. We did this with a few of our younger flock this time they keep sleeping outside the coop door. So for about 4 nights I placed them in the coop on a roost. Until they started on their own. Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I have a similar coop for 4 birds. This coop is supposed to house 8. For my 4 it works. But, they don’t all use the roost bars. They sleep on the poop tray - which is fine by me. They only use 1 nest box, so I’m thinking of doing some inside renovations for when they are stuck inside (remove the divider for the other nest box). When I first got them 2 weeks ago, they roosted on the bar in the run. I just picked them off of it one by one and placed them in the coop. Shut the door and then opened it in the a.m. It only took 2days and by the 3rd day they put themselves in the coop. I’m sure their conversation was something like this: “If we don’t go in there on our own that crazy lady is going to come out and do it anyway.”
In fact, when I came out to check one poked her head out the door - “Here she comes!”

I just opened a side top door and reached in. They were a little fussy, but apparently knew that I meant business. In fact the other day I was out late and they had already put themselves to bed. I went out to close the door - not sure it does much since it’s pretty thin, but helps my peace of mind.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Hi,

Thank you for the info. I will get more tarping to wrap the top... But was thinking of only doing the front and left side. The back of the coop is about 4 feet away from our house and I don't want to totally lock in odors/moisture which will cause more problems. Do you think that will be OK?? Or what would you do?

Also, we bought it for now, but do want to build something - we definitely don't plan on it lasting super long... But will be good while we decide what we want to build. I already have a few things I want to change.

Thank you again! And The Ladies say thank you too!!!

Best,
Jenn and The Ladies

Since mine are inside, I only wrapped the hardware cloth part under the coop plus a small section by the door with plastic. We added a run extension and I put a tarp on that to help keep the snow/wind out when it starts. We are South of you, so we won’t get nearly what you get up north. I left openings for wind flow and as not to cut off too much of the ventilation. I can take a pic if you like.
I’m using this coop just to see how much chicken keeping I really want to do and will build or buy a better one later on - we all have to start somewhere.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Thast is exactly my set-up. Too funny. I have a 6 foot high privacy fence all the way around the backyard. They have a big run and the we permit supervised free range time for them in the full yard.

Here is the coop now, needs the finishing touches added, the run is directly behind and underneath it. They love the space directly under the coop.

View attachment 1185978

Very nice, Bob!