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

[LittleBits]

Quote: Hardly the Ritz! haha There are some pretty fancy coops on here! Don't think ours is one of them!! I don't think I'll need to worry about spoiling them, either! Most of them, I have to sneak up to in order to catch them. They're definitely not "people-oriented" birds! I imagine that I would've spoiled them if they weren't adults when we got them!

 

[wantedman66]

Yes it makes a big difference when you handle them from the beginning,I have over 30 and exept for 2 all were handle by me and the kids from day one.They will all come over and eat from our hands there very docile and trusting which is what I wanted.I also have 4 roo's that the kids handle with no problems.

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

Sad news and a good reminder to those using heat lamps in their coops... Be very cautious !

http://www.abcfoxmontana.com/story/24309892/egg-lamp-could-have-caused-kalispell-house-fire

 

[chynasparks]

In Canada I am subject to -40º cold snaps. I do NOT heat my coop. Murphy's law says my birds will find out what -40 is all about when my hydro goes out. Regardless what you decide feed extra Corn over the winter you will not be sorry. Or something like this may help also; You could even knit a hoodie for those extra cold days..

They are so cute in their little knit sweaters.

 

[chynasparks]

Love the sweaters

 

[LadyCluck77]

So I think this may be frostbite on my hen's combs. I've kept the coop very dry, but we've regularly had negative temps (some -25 for several days, but -10 about the norm)
The leghorns seem to have it the worst, they both have pretty large combs. It seems to be the tips that are the worst.

 

[Alaskan]

I agree that it looks like frostbite.

Can't always prevent it.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Lady Cluck. It's definitely frostbite. As good as your ventilation is...which no doubt helps...it can't always be prevented at -25 F. These are such extreme temps in in my opinion. Cold is cold. I have two hens myself with frostbite on their combs very similar to this. And this is even their second winter at it. Just watch the areas for infection or even apply a little Neosporin every now and then if you wish. Try some bag balm if you like to help prevent...although not sure it is totally effective...just maybe helpful. we are bracing for a huge dip in temps again. Sunday into Monday will be -29 with horrendous wind chills predicted. STay warm all.

 

[LadyCluck77]

Thanks all!
I will keep them shut in the coop during the next super cold snap. Which will be soon, :/
I have put some snow up around the plastic barriers under the run, which seems to help insulate the play area at least.
I do check toes regularly, so far all are okay. We're in for a doozy of a storm tomorrow.
Stay safe and warm my friends!

 

[kitkat513]

We built a shed for tools and the chickens. We enclosed the out door run so the eagles and other predators wont get them. For winterizing we used clear plastic (like you use to wrap windows during winter) and wrap around out door run. It keeps the place warm on sunny days and heats up the inside of the coop. We also use a water heater to keep the water from freezing. We don't use a heater or heat lamp for our chickens. If the weather gets too cold we can set those up though.