Winter feeding

[donrae]

Don't heat your coop. It's unnecessary, a fire hazard, and personally I think birds that are allowed to experience the weather are more thrifty all around. Plus, if your birds are used to a heat lamp and not acclimated to the cold, what happens if the power goes out?

I don't know what your set up is but I'm concerned about the plastic on the windows. Birds exhale a lot of moisture and they need to be dry more than warm. Don't worry about the temp, there are folks in Canada who don't heat the coop and the birds do fine. Remember, chickens survived long before there was electricity!

 

[kschicks2013]

Okay great thanks for your response. I am leaning towards not heating the coop....I have visions of overheating them or a fire. I like to err on the side of caution. I will lay more hay on the floor of the enclosure as well. I use the sand method for flooring. In the house itself I have put hay and shavings together in the hen house for more warmth. I will keep a close eye on them to make sure they are doing fine. Yeah, I figured they'd eat a lot more to keep their body heat up. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for my girlies.

 

[MoonlightFarmCT]

Once the cold weather sets in, my girls get to enjoy a hot mash morning and night. Mixed together oatmeal, bran, omega 3 fatty acid supplement, kickin chicken and anything else I have laying around fruit, veggies etc... Add some hot water mixed together and I have one happy flock! such a great way to get extra vitamins into them during molting season!

 

[sumrfun65]

Don't make your coop air tight or you will have too much moisture build up and it can cause respitory problems.