Will My Chickens Freeze to Death?

[BY Bob]

Very nice, Bob!

Thank you. I am putting a whole article together on the design and building of the new coop. This is the first picture I have posted.

 

[jennkretz]

Jenn,
I would do the northwest corner of the coop where you live, MI, right? Most of your heavy wind will come from that direction. It's more complicated here in PA because while the majority of our weather comes from the northwest, the big blizzards come from the southeast.

The birds will tell you if you need to adjust. If it looks like they are staring into a hurricane, you may need to change your set up. The first two winters we had the girls I was out doing construction in the cold in order to adapt their living arrangements.

I don't believe you really know what to do until the event presents itself. The first blizzard we had, i had to bring the girls into the house (mid storm) as the drifts were going to easily completely bury their coop.

Are you ready to house a flock in your house? I know i wasn't, but we figured it out. We even used a step ladder as a roost for them. Felt pretty clever about that.

Be prepared to adapt, keep watching them, get a heated water device of some kind, and all will be fine. Just don't make the coop air tight, ventilation is key, moisture is the enemy.

Enjoy the ride,
Bob and the girls.

Thank you! Ordered greenhouse plastic which lets in natural sunlight and keeps in warmth yesterday! Will leave room at the top for ventilation and make sure they get OUT daily Thanks again!

 

[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?

Hi! I am not sure... But there is enough room. The older ladies just don't love the younger ones yet... There are 4 nesting boxes and two perches... But I may raise the second one. Best,
Jenn

 

[jennkretz]

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 ?

Thank you! There are many roosts in the run. The inner roost is higher than the nest boxes, but not higher than the connecting wall between the coop and run that doesn't go all the way to the top. This is their FAVE spot to roost. I have added one raised roost bar inside, and I think they're using it (based on muddy footprints and poo underneath) but not all are. I can either add a diagonal one (thanks for the idea) or another parallel one. I am definitely learning what parts of this coop I like and what I dislike. We will def be building our own soon... Thanks everyone! Jenn

 

[aart]

But there is enough room.

Not Really.

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.

THIS is the best advice.

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!

They aren't going to want to range much with tons of snow on the ground and/or a frigid wind howling.

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!

There ya go!.....Consider a covered run with something to block prevailing winds.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Thank you. I am putting a whole article together on the design and building of the new coop. This is the first picture I have posted.

That’s great, because I am needing to build a new coop in the spring. I looked around your posts for your build -now I know why I didn’t find it. I look forward to the article.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Thank you! Ordered greenhouse plastic which lets in natural sunlight and keeps in warmth yesterday! Will leave room at the top for ventilation and make sure they get OUT daily Thanks again!

Interesting idea using the greenhouse plastic. Update here when you do. I’d love to see it.

 

[BY Bob]

That’s great, because I am needing to build a new coop in the spring. I looked around your posts for your build -now I know why I didn’t find it. I look forward to the article.

Give me a little bit. My oldest daughter is getting married this weekend, lol.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Give me a little bit. My oldest daughter is getting married this weekend, lol.

Congratulations!

 

[peterlund]

Ok.... my 2 cents.
I have 2 coop and runs with more than enough space for both flocks. In one coop it is a 50 - 50 where some roost outdoors in the (large)run and others outdoors... in the other coop only 5 birds, and they never sleep indoors... even last week in 14 degree weather they were happily perched together on their perch. They are chickens. Nit brilluant math-wise, but tgey know what to do to survive.... be happy they feel secure enough to sleep out in their run.