Winter is coming

[JustJess09]

The leaves have already begun to change color here in Western New York, which means my first winter as a chicken-keeper is quickly approaching. I have read up a bit on winterizing my coop and run with construction plastic, extra straw, etc.

My question is about adding heat, and specifically power, to my coop. My coop is currently not hooked up to any electricity at all. What are my options for heating the coop? It’s about 50 or so feet from my garage, so I’m currently researching the possibilities of permanently wiring from the breaker. I’m also interested in hearing any options for solar, though I’m not so sure how reliable that will be in the winter when I need it most. (Plus my coop is in the shade). Are there any simpler solutions that I simply haven’t thought of? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[DobieLover]

What are my options for heating the coop

You do not need to heat the coop.

Are there any simpler solutions that I simply haven’t thought of?

Ventilation. Lots and lots of ventilation.
DRY bedding. Remove the nightly poop load to keep things dry (poop boards are the best for this).
No open water source on the coop.
No drafts directly hitting roosted birds.
Plenty of outdoor space with wind protection for them to hang out in.

 

[StinkyAcres]

As @DobieLover meant to say, you do not need to heat the coop. It does help to have a heated waterer (not inside the coop), but even that is not necessary if you can bring water out to the coop multiple times a day (which I did for many years).

What breeds do you have? If you post some pictures of your coop we might be able to help figure out the best way to winterize it.

 

[JustJess09]

As @DobieLover meant to say, you do not need to heat the coop. It does help to have a heated waterer (not inside the coop), but even that is not necessary if you can bring water out to the coop multiple times a day (which I did for many years).

What breeds do you have? If you post some pictures of your coop we might be able to help figure out the best way to winterize it.

I’ve got a total of 7 chickens: Easter eggers, buff orpingtons, and barred rocks. They are form Meyers Jun 4 hatch, so they should all be about 11 weeks old now.

The coop is a 6x8 Amish built. It’s got a chicken door in the back, human door in the front, and nest boxes and a window on the right. Obviously it’s not sitting in my driveway anymore. The run is one of the metal frame ones that snap together that I got from Amazon.

 

[Loving my girls]

Lovely coop, I would put a poop ray under the perches if I were you. It will make the cleaning of it a lot easier.

Yep I agree totally with the other, no heating necessary. They are wearing little duvets 24/7 and if it’s really cold they huddle together too.

Ventilation is vital, lots and lots of ventilation at high level. Perhaps stick some windows in the gable ends. Lots and lots and lots … hot air rises and all those poopy, farty and bad breath smells have just gotta go somewhere

Having said that I have no idea where you are or the minimum temperatures you endure. If necessary you can put some type of insulation sheeting on the outside (not inside or they will eat it) remember the high level ventilation

 

[DobieLover]

As @DobieLover meant to say, you do not need to heat the coop.

Thanks for letting me know. Typo corrected.

 

[DobieLover]

I’ve got a total of 7 chickens: Easter eggers, buff orpingtons, and barred rocks. They are form Meyers Jun 4 hatch, so they should all be about 11 weeks old now.

The coop is a 6x8 Amish built. It’s got a chicken door in the back, human door in the front, and nest boxes and a window on the right. Obviously it’s not sitting in my driveway anymore. The run is one of the metal frame ones that snap together that I got from Amazon.

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You don't have enough ventilation. But you do have nice overhang on the rakes!

If you can open up the the eaves under the roof line between the rafters and open up large areas on the gable peaks, that will go a long way towards improving ventilation.

Next year, I'd add more top hinged windows for cross breezes over the roosts for hot summer nights.

All permanently open ventilation needs to be secured with 1/2" hardware cloth.

Can you see over the ridge beam if they left a gap between the 2 sides of the roof before capping it? It would be great if they did.

 

[Sally PB]

I have electricity in my run via a heavy duty construction grade extension cord. I use it for a heated dog water bowl.

 

[aart]

The run is one of the metal frame ones that snap together that I got from Amazon.

Would be good to see your run too.
Snow load can be a nasty winter issue.

 

[saysfaa]

.. Are there any simpler solutions that I simply haven’t thought of? Any advice is appreciated.

Mine is Amish-built board and batten too!

I'm in a very similar climate. I found that vacuum-insulated wine buckets work very well for water. The 3-quart size is plenty for five hens. It takes many, many hours for them to freeze even on the coldest days. Nights are colder and the chickens aren't disturbing the surface so sometimes I brought it in at night so I didn't have to thaw it in the morning. Then I found a second one at a thrift store and just exchange them morning and night.

Also, maple leaves make wonderful bedding. I stack some yard bags full of them in the shed each fall to use all year. The chickens love getting a new pile to dig through.