Winter is coming... Help!

[9SpiceyChickens]

SOOOOO... I have a real basic, TSC coop for my two hens. I live an hour away from the capital, lowest it gets here is MAYBE 30 F. Should I do anything special?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Nah. That's not even stay-in-the-coop weather for my girls.

 

[townchicks]

Just check for leaks. The weather shouldn't bother them. My girls spent 2 winters in a prefab coop without any problems.

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens03]

If you're concerned, I would suggest a heat lamp and, if their water freezes, a heated waterer. It would help if you had electricity in your coup, but they should be okay if you decide not to, maybe a little cold, but okay. What kind of hens are they? Some chickens are more winter hardy than others.

 

[aart]

If you're concerned, I would suggest a heat lamp and, if their water freezes, a heated waterer. It would help if you had electricity in your coup, but they should be okay if you decide not to, maybe a little cold, but okay. What kind of hens are they? Some chickens are more winter hardy than others.

Heat lamps are a huge fire risk, especially in a small coop....and totally unnecessary at 30°F.

Heated waterer is probably also necessary...depend on how often one might go out to check water. My first year I had two waterers, I just swapped them out early each morning.

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

1.) We have a wyandotte and an EE
2.) Will a heated dog bowl work?

 

[aart]

1.) We have a wyandotte and an EE
2.) Will a heated dog bowl work?

What works for heated water has more to do with your setup than the breed of bird.
With a tiny TSC coop, a heated dog bowl may take up too much space.
What are you using for a waterer now?
Pics of coop and waterer would help immensely.
You may not need to heat the water at all if you only get to freezing once in a while....
...and you check the water every day.

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

Um, well the coop is this, https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...luxe-farm-house-chicken-coop-up-to-8-chickens lol i can´t link...
The waterer is this, https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/harris-farms-5-gal-double-wall-drinker?cm_vc=-10005

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens03]

Heat lamps are a huge fire risk, especially in a small coop....and totally unnecessary at 30°F.

Heated waterer is probably also necessary...depend on how often one might go out to check water. My first year I had two waterers, I just swapped them out early each morning.

I've been doing chickens seven years and I've never had a problem with heat lamps. I also never said that they were necessary at 30 degrees, just that if she was concerned about them she could use one. Certain breeds are less hardy in the winter, that's why I asked her about breeds. Heating lamps aren't the only option, either. You could also get a heated wall pad that is designed to radiate heat, but it won't burn to the touch and it's less of a fire risk.

1.) We have a wyandotte and an EE
2.) Will a heated dog bowl work?

Wyandottes and EEs are pretty cold hardy birds. They would be fine without a heat source. A heated dog bowl will work fine. I don't know what shape your bowl is, but if you have trouble with them knocking it over or spilling it then you could try TSC. At least where I'm at, they have heated bowls that widen at the base to prevent spilling. Good luck this winter and happy farming!

 

[aart]

I've been doing chickens seven years and I've never had a problem with heat lamps.

You would seriously recommend putting a heat lamp in this tiny coop?:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...luxe-farm-house-chicken-coop-up-to-8-chickens

Where do you use heat lamps?
What is your climate/location?

I see you're new here, but a prolific poster, Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!