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

[cowtown chick]

I was curious as to how my hens would react to the cold weather, this is my first year, I live in East Tennessee, we've already had the temps drop to 26, my girls did great and still produced eggs that day, so I'm not too worried about them now.

 

[LadyCluck77]

First snowstorm today- we've been building the "portico" on the coop- a clear platic roof with dollar store shower curtains on the sides to block the wind, as someone suggested- what a neat idea-- it still needs work, but they had a nice dry area today during the snowstorm-- the six who do lay, they did still lay today.

 

[mrchicks]

That looks great! I need to run to the dollar store and get shower curtains, I still need to get ready for the first snow over here.

 

[jetdog]

Curtains are down, clear shower curtain is up, water heater is in and working, Bring on the snow!!!

 

[Alaskan]

I am NOT ready. Which is super silly on my part, since often everything is already frozen solid by this date. One year we had two feet of snow already by today.

I just barely got a very rough duck coop slapped together, so they will have some snow free area. But, I don't have all of the walls closed in yet...hope to get that done before my boards are all hiding under snow or frozen solid to the ground.


Pant Pant Pant

 

[mrchicks]

jetdog is ready and looking good! Alaskan and I are both dragging tail. We're still finishing up on our new little coop, the runs should be done tomorrow. Nothing like waiting til the last second. But we once replaced windows in November, so it's not that out of character for us. I had a Tyvek front door for Christmas that year.

 

[Alaskan]

Hehe, sounds like me!

 

[mrchicks]

And here I thought I was the only one. Every year we promise that we will get our outside things done before the snow comes. And every year we have to shovel paths to finish things. Some day.....

 

[jstlitlome]

We just installed the vents in our coop today so that we can close the windows. 25 degrees here on tuesday. Water heater is in the mail and plastic wont go up until I see a snowstorm in the forecast. Usually doesnt snow here until at least december, but it could happen!

So far, they are handling nights in the mid 3's just fine!

 

[sn0wwhite]

I've got 2x2 frames built with clear shower curtains stapled to them and attached to the run and a heated base for their water to keep it un-frozen.

I've got some lights and timers installed in the coop AND the run... Just in case I need to add some lights either 60, 100 watt bulbs or 150 or 250 watt heat bulbs if it seems warranted. I'll just keep a close eye on conditions, frost and temperatures.