Winter coop/run prep time ideas?

[Beccazon]

Okay, this has been broached in another thread and as this will be my first winter as a BYCmama, let's start shooting thoughts at me please!

Below is my current coop/run.
The coop is secure from predators, uninsulated, and has a small access door for when the big doors get closed if I need it. (Bottom right of front). It is open now. The ducks access their own space in here now but in the next month will have their own enclosure finished on the side their door is shown. Where their feeder is sitting. (Yes that's a dog feeder lol. Makes life easier for my neurologically impaired Pekin). The roo isolation coop has access to the run but I do not use it. They free-range half the day instead.

The run is netted above and chicken wired 2" up along the bottom of the dog fencing. The ducks will be lined the same soon. No tiny predator issues yet lol.

I live in Michigan, in the Thumb. Winters are WINTER! We get sub zero temps from time to time, wind chills are below zero regularly for a month or better, blowing and drifting are pretty common, but temps can vary from day to day between 0 and 35-40F with regular 20s and 30s the average "norm". The coop doors face East. Most of our weather comes from the west. As you see, the coop is situated between the house and pole barn and we have woods on 3 sides and across the road. Also the coop windows do have covers. There is a 16"x5" vent cut on both sides up high on the side walls.

My questions are
-should I insulate the coops?
-what ventilation should I have for winter?
-do I need wind/snow blocking walls/fencing for the run?
-do I keep the duck pool?
-should the big coop doors be opened in winter during the day or do I let the birds tell me they are cold?
-what else should I consider??

 

[aart]

My questions are
-should I insulate the coops?
-what ventilation should I have for winter?
-do I need wind/snow blocking walls/fencing for the run?
-do I keep the duck pool?
-should the big coop doors be opened in winter during the day or do I let the birds tell me they are cold?
-what else should I consider??

No, it's moot with good ventilation and great place for rodents and other pests to habituate.

A solid roof and wind/snow blocks on walls will give you great winter outdoor space.
I don't have a solid run roof, sure wish I did, I shovel part of run for access to clear mesh roof when snow sticks, to give chooks room to roam on decent days, and to speed snow melt season.

No ducks here, but I've read the folks bring out smaller vessel for swimming on decent days. Cement mixing tubs is one I recall, enough for a dip and splash but easy to dump.

If it's really bitter out I leave pop door shut because I know they won't go out.
My pop door, and the only sheltered space in run(under the coop), is blocked from the west wind.

Need some closer pics, inside and out, to see your ventilation.
Got plans to keep drinking water thawed?

Here's winter.....

More info on my coop page.

 

[Beccazon]

Ah yes, water! Have considered but no great ideas as of yet.

 

[aart]

Ah yes, water! Have considered but no great ideas as of yet.

Got power out there?
Get them on Horizontal Nipples.
This has worked great for me for the last 5 years, there are commercial options too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples.67256/

 

[Beccazon]

I will have power there in the next month.

 

[jreardon1918]

I used dollar store clear shower curtains on two sides old my covered run last year. My coop article shows some winter shots. That plastic was a different kind. I liked the clear shower curtains better. Kept out most of the worst weather. Use a stock tank heater in a 5 gallon bucket that keeps the water liquid. Horizontal nipples. Windows stay open except during the worst storms.