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

[fuzziecreatures]

I was thinking about this as well... I need them to get out and about and not be stuck in the coop. I am going to be doing a butcher day of the cockerels and such before winter but will probably still have too many for them to stay in constantly. I may be shoveling the yard.... Though I did just get the snow blade for my garden tractor.

 

[centrarchid]

Dry elevated roosts and loafing areas.

Wind break

Change feed formulation so dominated by intact grain versus ground. This helps with feed scattered on or buried by snow. Nutrient profile of intact grains generally better than that of cracked / ground equivalents.

While keeping quality protein constant relative to weight of bird, make available to bird more energy as energy requirement increases. The additional energy comes in the form of whole corn, BOSS and soaked oats.

Liquid water is made available at least once each day at a consistent time with soaked oats providing available water for balance of day.

Provide hay for entertainment and fiber.

Make certain adequate grit is available.

 

[lauranickerson]

Keeping on eye on this post! Great tips!

 

[Jesusfreakmir12]

I live in north Idaho - where it can get quite cold here in the winter! What I do for winter is put a heat light in the coop on at night and early morning. Also, every morning after I get up I put very warm mixed with red pepper flakes in their waterers to give them a warm feeling and so it's not frozen during the day. I don't cover my run or coop because the heat lamp gives them some heat (my coop is kinda small so that might help also). I've been doing chickens for two years now and have had no causalities preparing for winter this way.

 

[Jeremy128]

Good info! With winter coming, I have the same questions! Thanks!

 

[ky chicken mom]

I have started making my list also...I have my coop and run between our barn and wooded area...the wind im not as worried about as i am the snow and ice run off from the barn (quonset hut) (pic on my profile)..at the time we were deciding the placement snow and ice were not thought about...so im thinking maybe bales of straw might work...but wonder if that will also cause massive amounts of ice buildup if weather/mother nature slams us again...i wanted to add a drain just inside the run...that idea was knocked down because it would build up freeze..thaw some then prob refreeze...causing more issues in the run than with doing nothing...im open to ANY ideas you might throw at me brainstorming...

 

[bantambury]

I have a four month old jap bantam which i know is not cold hardy. I live in nc in the piedmont region. We don't have harsh winters rely but i still want to be prepared for my roo. I don't want him to die or get messed up!!!

 

[SteveinMA]

I have had a cooIp in Massachusetts and now Nebraska. Both can et very cold. In Mass I had a small coop with 6 chickens (Rhode Island Reds - picked for their cold hardiness). I did some basic insulating in their coop and did not add any heat. I did have to hear the water so I got a heated dog watering bowl and their waterer sat right in it, and kept it from freezing. The did slow down in the egg laying category but still produced. I did check for them more regularly though so they didn't freeze. In Nebr their coop is the second half of a greenhouse, so the sun keeps it from freezing during day, and I have dozens of water bottles painted black to gather the heat during the day, and helps to add heat during the night, No other heat added, and no added heat for the water either. Again, production is lower, but still producing. Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks this time. They do come outside during the day, mine don't like to walk through too deep of snow, but will stay out for long periods. Enjoy your girls.

 

[coop-er]

My coop is a 8x4 but is 2 levels (6ft high total) the bottom 3 ft is surrounded by hardware cloth and the top 3ft is closed up except for 1 window (also hardware cloth) I was planning on surrounding the bottom with bales of hay but am now wondering if that will block out too much light. Opinions??

 

[MEMama3]

My coop is a 8x4 but is 2 levels (6ft high total) the bottom 3 ft is surrounded by hardware cloth and the top 3ft is closed up except for 1 window (also hardware cloth) I was planning on surrounding the bottom with bales of hay but am now wondering if that will block out too much light. Opinions??

I'd use shower curtains. It will let in light but keep out winds.