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

[hennible]

I think because they eat more to stay warm they drink more to process the feed.

 

[magicjeep]

Ladycluck, Thanks for the reply. I'm in NJ so we do get snow and supposedly we're in for a lot this winter. I was planning on covering the run, which encloses the coop, but I wasn't sure if I needed to seal up the coop also. My thinking, and please anyone correct me if I'm wrong, was if I cover the run it will keep the wind, rain, & snow out of the coop as well as the run.

 

[Alaskan]

Ladycluck, Thanks for the reply.  I'm in NJ so we do get snow and supposedly we're in for a lot this winter. I was planning on covering the run, which encloses the coop, but I wasn't sure if I needed to seal up the coop also. My thinking, and please anyone correct me if I'm wrong, was if I cover the run it will keep the wind, rain, & snow out of the coop as well as the run.

Trying to keep the snow out of the run, might be perfect for you, since many people close up their coops too tightly.

The chickens are PERFECTLY fine at -10F, and do well enough down to -30F.

If you can block the wind, still prove ventilation, and keep the snow out, you will be golden.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Trying to keep the snow out of the run, might be perfect for you, since many people close up their coops too tightly.

The chickens are PERFECTLY fine at -10F, and do well enough down to -30F.

If you can block the wind, still prove ventilation, and keep the snow out, you will be golden.

Agreed!

One thing to consider in covering a run is that if the snow doesn't fall through and into the run it is going to accumulate onto whatever you have used to cover the run- and accumulated snow can surprise some folks with how quickly and seemingly "out of nowhere" it crushes what is underneath it....the run included. If your underlying structure is not built to withstand that sort of load-bearing test, be prepared with plans to move the snow off and away as often as needed to maintain integrity of the run.
Personally, we never bothered much with worrying about the snow - our winters back home were snow-filled (mountains of Idaho) and our chickens never seemed to mind the snow at all. If/when it became an issue of blocking their entrance to the coop we'd shovel some out of the run, but weren't worried about keeping it "out".

 

[ducks4you]

Humidity and damp cold is what hurts your birds. Whatever you do to the coop, keep it dry but allowing for the exchange of air will keep your birds healthy in the winter. Feathers are SOOOO much warmer than fur. Even my horses start building their winter coat by exposure to the cooler Fall temperatures. Most domestic animals need the following to do well in the winter:
Protection from winter winds that allows for air exchange without having drafts
The option to get OUT of the winter weather, or to expose themselves to it
Free choice feed
Water 2x/day
Clean and dry bedding
My birds add more feathers. If you have roosts that allow your birds to huddle and to sit down and cover their feet, they won't freeze.
I have been reading lately about using sand as bedding bc it doesn't hold and release moisture like pine shavings. I use extruded, super dried pine pellets for my horse stalls. Horses try to keep their stalls clean and choose the same spot in the stall to urinate and the same spots to poo. So I only have to put "Equine Fresh" in one spot in the stall. It soaks up the urine twice, first dissolving into a dry powder and then soaks it up and turns wet, and one horse produces much more urine in a 24 hr period than a dozen chickens do. I will be using the pine pellets as my bedding this winter for my birds. You can buy it or a comparable product at your local farm supply store, for about $6/40 pound package.

 

[Rettarain2]

Okay..need a memory refresher..
How does one build those cookie tin heaters ? I used a 75 watt bulb to create heat..kept on timer and electric water heater for their water. My ladies hated the snow..Maybe a tarp over their yard this year? Any suggestions? Also layered their house...dirt floor..with lots of straw and leaves...

 

[ducks4you]

This is the first year I will use a heated dog water bowl, outside. I'll post and put pictures of how DH is going to wire it. It kept the ice out (inside the barn/chicken stall) all last winter, even during the minus 20 degree week that we had. They are not expensive
http://www.essentialhardware.com/fa...e=TheFind&utm_medium=np &utm_campaign=TheFind
and chickens won't peck at the casing.
Also, somebody here did this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/604257/heated-dog-bowl-filled-with-sand/10

You might think that $18-$24 is a lot, but you only have to spend it once. I have hauled water for my horses for 29 winters and the money is WELL worth it. Plus, this is made to take the abuse and a cookie tin isn't.

 

[Alaskan]

The heated dog bowls that I have bought and tried in the past were NOT able to withstand much abuse.

Any water splashed out of the bowl would freeze around the bottom, welding it to whatever surface that it was on. The heating element was not strong enough to melt a block of ice (if the power was out for awhile) and trying to pry the bowl off of the floor or ground made the heating element or entire bottom of the dog bowl break.

 

[K Epp]

Anyone have any experience with heated chicken waterers? I saw some of those at the feed store last week.

 

[hennible]

My friend used a heated waterer it worked well, think it was one that hung above the floor. I want one!