Winter management poll

[Ontario chick]

Eastern Ontario Canada
Heat, NO
Insulated coop, YES
Ventilation, Open window, 1/2 hour each day, regardless of temperature
Coop size, 10x12
Litter, straw start with 6" in the fall build up to 12", dirt floor
Number of chickens, 12
Zone 4
10 winters without problems

Water freezes, bring waterers in to the house to defrost. Chickens lay thru the winter.

 

[write2caroline]

Heat: yes/no

If yes on heat, what method do you use (lamp, flat panel, etc.)?: Five gallon hot water bucket with lid

Insulated coop: yes/no - no

Amount of ventilation (approximate sq.ft.)you employ during the winter: My coops are tall and hold out the drafty air but they have a lot of ventilation in the tops

Coop size: I have 4 coops - two are a frame types and two are pallet coops

Litter method: I go back and forth from deep little to hay

#of chickens in coop: The largest coop has 13, the next largest has 6, and the last two has 5 and 8 -
They picked the coops and didn't follow my room assignments at all!!!

Location (city and/or state and/or zone): rural JAX FL

How many winters have you been through with your chickens?: 1

(Optional) briefly describe how your flock has fared using these methods: So far very well

Caroline​

 

[BittyBanty]

Heat: yes/no

If yes on heat, what method do you use (lamp, flat panel, etc.)?: No, but I have an oil filled heater in reserve if I need it.

Insulated coop: yes/no No

Amount of ventilation (approximate sq.ft.)you employ during the winter: Large vents all 4 sides under roof angles.

Coop size: 6x6

Litter method: Deep

#of chickens in coop: 3 bantams

Location (city and/or state and/or zone): Albuquerque, NM

How many winters have you been through with your chickens?: First

(Optional) briefly describe how your flock has fared using these methods: I got these birds from my neighbor. They never had a coop before and free ranged in a walled backyard, sleeping in an apple tree. They have better food and more shelter than last winter so I don't expect any problems.

 

[kla37]

Quote:

 

[henney penny]

Quote:
1.a little in silkie coop, 2.yes, 3.vents and pop door stays oopen in day weather permitting 4.12x16, 5.Deep litter method, 6.28in big coop and 13 silkies in little coop 6x6, 7.Northern Maine, 8.third one, 9.Great

 

[fivecents]

Quote:

 

[Raen]

Heat: no

If yes on heat, what method do you use (lamp, flat panel, etc.) N/A

Insulated coop:no

Amount of ventilation (approximate sq.ft.)you employ during the winter: about 8, but may close off some if it drops below 0.

Coop size:8X6

Litter method: DLM

#of chickens in coop: 5

Location (city and/or state and/or zone): Southern Maine

How many winters have you been through with your chickens?: First one!

(Optional) briefly describe how your flock has fared using these methods:so far so good

 

[RockwaterFarm]

Quote:
good, i use a water heater but thats a bout it

 

[ams3651]

Heat: yes/no YES

If yes on heat, what method do you use (lamp, flat panel, etc.)?: I HAVE A RED HEAT LAMP WHICH I ONLY TURN ON WHEN THE TEMPS GO BELOW 20 DEGREES, IT HANGS OVER THEIR ROOST. I DONT THINK IT DOES A GREAT DEAL BUT JUST MAKES THINGS A LITTLE MORE COMFORTABLE


Insulated coop: yes/no I ONLY INSULATED THE WALL WHICH FACES THE FIELD AND GETS THE MOST OF THE WIND, I DO HOWEVER HAVE A GARAGE TYPE DOOR ON ONE END AS MY COOP USED TO BE A STORAGE SHED. I COVER THAT DOOR WITH HEAVY PLASTIC OR THIS YEAR USED A TARP TO CUT THE DRAFT THAT COMES IN THERE.

Amount of ventilation (approximate sq.ft.)you employ during the winter: I HAVE OPEN EVES IN 2 SECTIONS ON EACH SIDE ABOUT 2 FEET LONG AND 4" WIDE, I CLOSE UP THE ONES ON THE WINDY SIDE ABOUT HALF WAY BECAUSE IT BLOWS SNOW INSIDE.

Coop size: I DONT KNOW, I ATTACHED A PHOTO

Litter method: PINE SHAVINGS, DEEP LITTER

#of chickens in coop: 14 RIGHT NOW......I THINK LOL

Location (city and/or state and/or zone): NE/CENTRAL PA

How many winters have you been through with your chickens?: 2

(Optional) briefly describe how your flock has fared using these methods: I HAVE YET TO LOOSE A BIRD TO THE COLD EVEN THOUGH LAST WINTER WAS A LONG AND VERY COLD ONE. MY BIRDS PREFER TO STAY INSIDE IN THE WIND AND SNOW BUT THEY HAVE ENOUGH FLOOR SPACE THAT THEY DONT SEEM TO MIND. THIS YEAR I AM GOING TO MAKE A LITTLE MORE SPACE SINCE i HAVE 5 MORE THIS WINTER THAN LAST. I ALSO GIVE THEM WARM OATMEAL WITH TREATS ON VERY COLD MORNINGS OR EVENINGS . AND TO ADD, I USE A HEATED DOG BOWL INSIDE FOR WATER AS WELL.

 

[welsummer4]

Thanks to everyone who took time out of their busy holiday to fill out the survey!