Winter help

[Hokum Coco]

Do you know how much sugar will be needed to keep a 5 gallon waterer

the standard 4:1 solution starts freezing at 26-27 degrees F. You are right sugar would not be feasible in those frigid temperatures. I personally use the 2 water jug system and exchange them every day during the winter months (I also am retired which give me the time to check on the hens numerous times a day if needed).

 

[aart]

OhBoy....that's a tiny coop.
Probably would be OK for 2 birds in a mild climate,
but going to be hard impossible to winterize it for a Michigan winter.

Is that roof even waterproof?
Do you have to lift roof to tend to birds?
What is on side of coop that faces house window?
Is the only run area directly beneath the coop?

Sorry to bear such bad news, but wanted to be honest.
Is there any way to build a covered run, and fix coop with better roof, venting, and floor?

 

[Soleil_A]

I know, i know the coop is terrible!!! I hate it is so hard to clean. I am thinking about getting this coop. what do you think?

 

[aart]

Better, but not by much.
Those small prefab coops are notoriously badly designed and built with cheap materials.
They are not well ventilated, a most important aspect of winter chicken keeping.
They often need to be waterproofed unless they are enclosed in a covered run.

Read thru a dozen of these threads to see the problems folks have had with them:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/9744680/?q=prefab+coops&t=post&o=relevance&c[title_only]=1

Here's one of my favorite prefab improvement modifications:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535

Think hard about dealing with these birds when there is a foot or more of snow on the ground and it's below freezing for weeks. Most importantly is that they need liquid water all their waking hours, the cups you have will not work in freezing weather, they can't be heated.

 

[WildCHILD400]

The store coop is perfectly fine for 2 chickies and with provide a better environment for the cold harsh winters. It may seem expensive and not worth it to be buying a heated waterer, a good coop, extra bedding but its all a one time purchase so you'll have those supplies for years to come. Unless you plan on having more than four chickens you should be fine with that size coop with the addition of free range time 2 times a week. You need to stop drafts but have some good ventilation. I tie a tarp around the coop part during the winter months, add a heated perch, and a heated waterer but other than that chickens are pretty hardy. Make sure during the winter months you feed your chickens bread, oats and possibly cracked or whole corn to supply extra calories because chickens grow in an extra layer of down AND lay eggs so they need those extra calories those foods provide. Whole corn has lots of oils and nutrients perfect for chickens. Don't worry they can swallow it just fine. Your chickens will love it and they only need about a half cup per day.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree with aart; too small, unworkable, and there are much better options, for you and your birds!
How about a child's playhouse, or better yet, a garden shed, with more hardware cloth covered openings? Could be found on craigs list, if not new at the big box store.
Either plan on taking out water three times daily during the winter, or use a heated waterer, or a heated base, or heated dog dish. Set up the electricity safely, and enjoy how well it works!
Little 'dog house' coops are useful in summer for a broody hen, but a total waste of money and effort otherwise.
Mary