Winter is Coming! Checklists, tips, advice for a newbie

[aart]

Got my winter table done for the coop today. I have found that its much easier to have the food and waterer up off the floor of a coop in the winter as the girls are much less likely to kick up straw and whatnot into the waterer that way. Plus it saves on floor space. Plus with the bottom rails there, it should give somebody a spot to be able to put some distance between them and whoever it is that is on her case.



One of the buffs checking it out today. and the bottom of the legs are spray painted to keep them from rotting out later. alternated red and blue for a total of 4 coats for that.

So that feeder on the ground will move up onto the table once winter sets in?
Would love to see more of pics of your hoop coop, inside and out, once it's winter set up is complete.
I built a couple hoop coop tractors this summer, folks are asking if they could winter a flock in one.

 

[Alaskan]

I know a lady up here in alaska that has wintered over in them. She keeps the front half open.... The rest tarped up.

 

[bigmrg74]

So that feeder on the ground will move up onto the table once winter sets in?
Would love to see more of pics of your hoop coop, inside and out, once it's winter set up is complete.
I built a couple hoop coop tractors this summer, folks are asking if they could winter a flock in one.

Yeah, the heated waterer and feeder will be up on the table. I'll be putting a little more plastic on the front of to close up most of that end. I probably should get around to doing a coop page for the hoop build. Maybe I'll work on that next week.

 

[bigmrg74]

Got cold enough last night that the chicken nipples froze.

Going to have to swap out the nipple bucket waterer out for the heated waterer soon.

 

[aart]

Got cold enough last night that the chicken nipples froze.

Going to have to swap out the nipple bucket waterer out for the heated waterer soon.

oooorrrr you could heat your nipple bucket.....if you're using horizontal nipples.
Was 26F here..... but H nipples didn't freeze, garden hose did tho....it's time tho, to install heater and insulation in chicken waterer.

 

[bigmrg74]

oooorrrr you could heat your nipple bucket.....if you're using horizontal nipples.
Was 26F here..... but H nipples didn't freeze, garden hose did tho....it's time tho, to install heater and insulation in chicken waterer.

they're vertical ones.

 

[JandS Flock]

Good Morning Everyone,

I am replying to this thread for some advice. This is my first time raising chickens and it is starting to get into the 30's during the night. We have had 2 frosts over the weekend and the girls didn't seem to mind it. I do notice that all 4 of them are sleeping in the same box together ( I assume to stay warm) so my question is; do I put in a heat lamp. I already have a lamp in there with a 40 watt bulb to stay on until 8:30 (due to the fact it gets dark at 5:30 now) but want to make sure they are comfortable. The coop (pictures attached) is made of wood and I use sawdust and pine shavings inside. The water has not frozen and I see that some folks use a heated dog bowl or container of some sorts but wonder if this is enough. Just want to make sure I am doing the right thing and not hurting them in any way.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[aart]

Good Morning Everyone,

I am replying to this thread for some advice. This is my first time raising chickens and it is starting to get into the 30's during the night. We have had 2 frosts over the weekend and the girls didn't seem to mind it. I do notice that all 4 of them are sleeping in the same box together ( I assume to stay warm) so my question is; do I put in a heat lamp. I already have a lamp in there with a 40 watt bulb to stay on until 8:30 (due to the fact it gets dark at 5:30 now) but want to make sure they are comfortable. The coop (pictures attached) is made of wood and I use sawdust and pine shavings inside. The water has not frozen and I see that some folks use a heated dog bowl or container of some sorts but wonder if this is enough. Just want to make sure I am doing the right thing and not hurting them in any way.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Welcome to BYC!

Is there a roost bar at all??....you really don't want them sleeping in the nests ever.
No to heat, yes to ventilation.
Light can be tricky .....Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.
Coop looks small, how many birds?
Might want to start anew thread with all the details and more pics of your flock, coop, and run.

 

[JandS Flock]

Thanks for reply. I was considering the "bar" (piece of wood you see in front of nesting box) as something they would sit on. However, reading your post I am going to need to make one. The coop bottom is 54 X 42 but I am thinking that I brought the nesting boxes in too far causing me to loose 14" of space on the front end. I could extend the front out in order to give them more room and a roost bar. The one question I have now is; if I put in a roost bar are they going to stay out of the nesting boxes since they have been going in there to sleep? Sorry for all of questions, just want to get things right.

Thanks Again,

John

 

[Bogtown Chick]

John if the roost is higher than the nest boxes they will use it. you may try blocking off the nests for the first few nights.