Winter in Montana

[lnewcomer]

I am not new to chickens, I grew up with them in Pennsylvania, and have battle scars on my ankle from our territorial rooster. My issue is winterizing the coop for the winters in Montana. I am in the process of designing and building a coop, but the winters in Montana are complex. Two winters ago, the temperatures in January and February never got above -20 degrees in the day time for about 4 weeks. This year, two weeks ago it was -24 at my house, and now it 50 degrees, this weekend possible 60 degrees. the temperature here can vary from -25 at night , or lower to 60 degrees in the day, just a few days later. Any ideas on how to winterize for these extreme varied conditions for the new coop?

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

This article is for you: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[Acre4Me]

@WthrLady @Alaskan may have done thoughts, and they can tag others that would be have years of experience with chickens in cold climates.

 

[Alaskan]

I am not new to chickens, I grew up with them in Pennsylvania, and have battle scars on my ankle from our territorial rooster. My issue is winterizing the coop for the winters in Montana. I am in the process of designing and building a coop, but the winters in Montana are complex. Two winters ago, the temperatures in January and February never got above -20 degrees in the day time for about 4 weeks. This year, two weeks ago it was -24 at my house, and now it 50 degrees, this weekend possible 60 degrees. the temperature here can vary from -25 at night , or lower to 60 degrees in the day, just a few days later. Any ideas on how to winterize for these extreme varied conditions for the new coop?

3killerbees gave you the link to my cold weather coop article.

If you have any questions, just ask.

I am happy to help.

 

[WthrLady]

I am not new to chickens, I grew up with them in Pennsylvania, and have battle scars on my ankle from our territorial rooster. My issue is winterizing the coop for the winters in Montana. I am in the process of designing and building a coop, but the winters in Montana are complex. Two winters ago, the temperatures in January and February never got above -20 degrees in the day time for about 4 weeks. This year, two weeks ago it was -24 at my house, and now it 50 degrees, this weekend possible 60 degrees. the temperature here can vary from -25 at night , or lower to 60 degrees in the day, just a few days later. Any ideas on how to winterize for these extreme varied conditions for the new coop?

Easy peasy! It's no different than NorthDakota or here in Nebraska for that matter.
The health of the birds going INTO winter is the biggest factor, as well as good food, high in protein, scratch before bed and heated water available is a must.
The coop just needs to be situated right so that it allows for the capture of the daylight available and converts it to heat, and gives them a place to sit in the sun.. No additional heat source is needed. No drafts in the coop, but good ventilation is needed or ammonia and dust builds up.
Wide 3-3.5 inch perches for sleeping so they can snuggle down on their feet. Deep composting litter in the run that actually gives off heat while decomposing and gives them something to dig into for entertainment, movement is heat producing.
When winds were howling and temps were -20F (WChill of -50) the coop was still at -13F. Which is cold, but the birds were warm and toasty, had good food, warm and clean water, places to play, things to play on.
My coop is not insulated or heated.
We were at -10 a week ago, and we're at 60 today. We'll bounce down again next week.

 

[lnewcomer]

Easy peasy! It's no different than NorthDakota or here in Nebraska for that matter.
The health of the birds going INTO winter is the biggest factor, as well as good food, high in protein, scratch before bed and heated water available is a must.
The coop just needs to be situated right so that it allows for the capture of the daylight available and converts it to heat, and gives them a place to sit in the sun.. No additional heat source is needed. No drafts in the coop, but good ventilation is needed or ammonia and dust builds up.
Wide 3-3.5 inch perches for sleeping so they can snuggle down on their feet. Deep composting litter in the run that actually gives off heat while decomposing and gives them something to dig into for entertainment, movement is heat producing.
When winds were howling and temps were -20F (WChill of -50) the coop was still at -13F. Which is cold, but the birds were warm and toasty, had good food, warm and clean water, places to play, things to play on.
My coop is not insulated or heated.
We were at -10 a week ago, and we're at 60 today. We'll bounce down again next week.

Thanks for the reply. Do you let your chickens free range on severe cold winter days, or close them off? Yesterday our temp was 42, but our wind speed was 60 mph, plus gusts, for a few hours, and I am just not sure , because last year was -30 and 45 mph. I was thinking about porting a door into a attached greenhouse, from the coop to allow them a exercise yard in the winter, and another exit for more temperate days. I keep ready about frostbite at these temps, but I don't remember our chickens back in PA getting special winter treatment. Also, are there any particular breeds that are more hardy for these regions?

 

[Alaskan]

Do you let your chickens free range on severe cold winter days, or close them off?

Mine close to never free range... too many predators.

Mine do have access to a fenced run. If the wind is blowing they do not like to enter the run.

Because of that i have a large shed that connects to the coop, where i put the feed and water.

the pop door to the fenced/secure run does stay open.

I was thinking about porting a door into a attached greenhouse, from the coop to allow them a exercise yard in the winter

mine get the greenhouse in the winter. Mine love it. You do need a huge door (human size) from the greenhouse to the coop/run/shed/connection otherwise there will not be enough ventilation in the greenhouse. My greenhouse has a few eves that can be unblocked in the winter for better ventilation in addition to the large door.

I keep ready about frostbite at these temps, but I don't remember our chickens back in PA getting special winter treatment.

Frostbite is more of an issue if your humidity is high, or the perches are skinny, or they get their feet wet.

Also, wet snow can clump on feathered feet.

I have cold and high humidity (I am right on the coast)
For me the single combs with those tiny upright points will freeze off. No way to stop it (unless the chicken lives in the house with you... )

But, as long as you keep the feet healthy, a little frostbite is OK, and will take care of itself. No doctoring is needed.

Also, are there any particular breeds that are more hardy for these regions?

With my cold + humidity I have breeds with clean feet (feathered feet are a huge problem with humid snow or icy mud), tiny to zero wattles, and tiny combs.

Don't be tricked by things like "Icelandic chickens" being marketed for cold climates. Many of those have single combs (which will frostbite). If you research them, historically Icelandic Chickens were kept in the house or warm large animal barn all winter. They were not out in the cold.

I did find that Leghorns aren't actually as bad as you would think, because their huge comb folds over onto the face. However, they all have pretty large wattles.

Small single combs always frostbite at my place.

I really like Dominiques, Ameraucana, most EEs (as long as the combs are pea combs), Wyandottes, d'uccle, and Spitzhauben.

 

[WthrLady]

Thanks for the reply. Do you let your chickens free range on severe cold winter days, or close them off? Yesterday our temp was 42, but our wind speed was 60 mph, plus gusts, for a few hours, and I am just not sure , because last year was -30 and 45 mph. I was thinking about porting a door into a attached greenhouse, from the coop to allow them a exercise yard in the winter, and another exit for more temperate days. I keep ready about frostbite at these temps, but I don't remember our chickens back in PA getting special winter treatment. Also, are there any particular breeds that are more hardy for these regions?

My birds are out free ranging as long as the temp is 32' with no wind and sunny.
40 if there is a very light wind and sun
If it is cloudy, they are in. Too many predators take advantage of the cloudy days here.
They also have lots of hidey spaces from any chill or wind and have access to going back in whenever they want. If I see them hiding too much, I take the cue from them, and put them away.
Our run gets delightfully warm on a sunny day, so while they like to be free, there isn't much to eat out there, and are generally happier inside.
Orpingtons are a cold hearty breed, but also have trouble in the high heat and humidity of the front range.
Look for birds with no combs or very small pea or rose combs. Besides that, they are just fine.

 

[Poodlemum]

Small single combs always frostbite at my place.

This is so interesting! I would have thought the massive single combs would be more prone, but the only one with issues was the mixed comb Wyandotte. She has a smallish single comb and the only one to get a touch of frostbite when we had unusually humid days. It wasn’t even that cold, but dense fog for a few days. The Jersey Giants have biggest combs and were unaffected

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Welcome from Michigan! Montana is so beautiful. I have relatives in Missula with poulty. They do not insulate or heat the coop but do use deep litter method.