Winter debate, coop door open or closed?

[Big Red Roosters]

I apologize if I'm not replying to everyone. There's a lot of messages and my phone isn't loading them all, I am at work. Just know I'm appreciating all the information and experience, thank you.

 

[Big Red Roosters]

If you think about it the same thing happens to people. We over heat our houses, don't get enough fresh air, and exercise in winter and people are sick all winter with the cold and flu.

We personally keep our house cooler in winter 63-65 and we go outside all day. Very seldom do my husband and I get sick where all my siblings with their hot houses are sick multiple times in winter. Too much heat and not enough fresh air isn't good for any critter.

That is probably the best point I've ever heard. My sister is sick almost every other week. She keeps her house at nearly 80° all year and hates the outdoors. I keep mine about 65° all year and spend most my free time outside. I get fairly ill around harvest from my severe allergies, but haven't had a common cold in ages.

 

[Big Red Roosters]

Well this is my first winter with chickens but having researched for a while I'd decided to have the pop door open every day. The entry is protected from rain/snow and is good for ventilation. I just closed the two "windows" near the roosting area for the winter but will leave the other two open unless something changes. I also have plenty (I hope) of vent holes well above the roost are that aid in moisture reduction. My 16 week old birds don't seem to mind light rain and also seemed unperturbed by the bit of snow we received last week here in Spokane. Looking forward to a fun winter with the birds!

Sounds like your chickens have it good. Mine love rain, they all stand in it and get soaked while picking at bugs in the mud. They're still pretty picky about snow, but they've never been in it until yesterday and they are aged from 9 months to 8 years. My poor 8 year olds probably hate me, can't believe they lasted this long from what I'm reading.

 

[Big Red Roosters]

Also my ducks really don't seem to care about winter other than the lack of ample swimming water. I tried to lock them up in their house with some fresh straw last night as it dropped below zero F, but had some troubles with the lock in the cold and things had warped a bit and ultimately gave up... they were totally fine with their door open. I rarely shut the duck house door anymore. (they are in a fully fenced run)

My "pet" ducks are practically wild. They feed themselves and shelter themselves, they never accepted coops. I throw out chicken feed during winter and leave a heated water bowl available if they would need it. They thrive quite well without my help. Unlike my chickens, if I don't bring down a treat every few days they maul me and act as if they are starved.

 

[WthrLady]

Yes yes the ammonia was awful, I'd be changing out bedding weekly and it was quite pricey. I'm very happy with my new sand bedding, much easier to clean and doesn't smell, yet.
I still use heat lamps over the feed and water to encourage them over there. My first year mistake was putting it in a corner, they all huddled and never moved, dehydrating and starving themselves.
This year I have purchased water de-icers, they seem to be working well. It's been to -2° so far and no ice in the waterers.
I've just purchased one of those wall hanging, low wattage heaters recommended by the chicken chick, or so it says on the box. I'd like to eliminate the lamps by just using those. I have metal coops, so when cold, its cold and when hot, its hot.
If wood was cheaper I'd build one from scratch, but I don't have the funds or time for that, yet. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Mine have been just fine down to -20°F with no extra heating.

 

[Big Red Roosters]

Mine have been just fine down to -20°F with no extra heating.

I am a worry wart, with a metal coop the inside temp is worse than the outside. The heat is more or less my attempt to make it somewhat comfortable.

 

[WthrLady]

Ever seen a soda can heater?

I am considering one just to take the edge off January.

 

[Big Red Roosters]

Thought I would update. We've got a good foot of snow now. I'm leaving the doors open, but nobody has stepped outside. But at least they've got the choice to and have constant flow of fresh air. I'm having some bad frostbite already, is it vaseline you can use on combs and wattles to prevent it?

 

[WthrLady]

Frostbite is moisture freezing. Vaseline just makes a mess. Check for excessive moisture/ lack of ventilation in the coop.

 

[Big Red Roosters]

Frostbite is moisture freezing. Vaseline just makes a mess. Check for excessive moisture/ lack of ventilation in the coop.

Well the window is open 24/7, as is the screen door. Theres only screen on the top half of the door, so even if it gets closed theres still airflow. I use water bowls and heated water containers.