Winter management poll

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

Heat: yes/no

No

If yes on heat, what method do you use (lamp, flat panel, etc.)?:

Insulated coop: yes/no

No

Amount of ventilation (approximate sq.ft.)you employ during the winter:

It is a barn so there is quite a bit of ventilation due to it not being air tight- and I am guessing no matter how much I will try it won't be so I am doing what I can.

Coop size:

I have refitted a barn to the birds- 30 chickens/30 ducks in a 20 X45 space for sleeping/food and then the milking parlor is 100 x20 where I have water in one area (didn't want it all over) and then the run which is 10X 25 plus the isolation room which is 10x10

Litter method:
Trying my hand at deep litter- having my doubts at this moment about it. I have straw and some bales of wood shavings. But right now the straw is free so I am making use of it.


Location (city and/or state and/or zone): Austin Minnesota

How many winters have you been through with your chickens?:
0- and I am truely hoping to make it through this one.... Really hoping the 0 heat is the way to go but they seem to be doing fine so far. The water is becoming an issue now that it is freezing but I think even though it is a chore to haul hot water to them it is working to do so as then it doesn't cool as fast. Again my birds seem fine, I am starting to freeze with the cold weather and I know it is only going to get worse so I am nervous about entering into this unknown.

 

[kickinchicken]

Heat: yes-The lamp is up, and secured. Only reason I have this is for the Sultan. I hear they're not cold hardy....we'll see.

If yes on heat, what method do you use (lamp, flat panel, etc.)?: see above

Insulated coop: yes

Amount of ventilation (approximate sq.ft.)you employ during the winter: The rafters are open at this point. They're 6 inches high and 8 feet long. I plan on adding a hinged cover for the rafter vents in case we get a nasty Nor'Easter.

Coop size: 4x8x7

Litter method: I will be using the Deep Litter method this winter.

#of chickens in coop: 7 bantams

Location (city and/or state and/or zone): Riverside, RI. Zone 6

How many winters have you been through with your chickens?: This is my first.

(Optional) briefly describe how your flock has fared using these methods: So far, we've had a few nights around the 30s. I did put the heat lamp on LOW for the Sultan.

 

[Illia]

Heat: Only to chicks, one heat lamp hung over where they sleep

Insulated coop: No. Only wish it was insulated, but my coop is an old building built back in the 70's.

Amount of ventilation (approximate sq.ft.)you employ during the winter: The coop has two doors, one sliding door that is almost never open, but has small cracks on the bottom. The other is always open, and 6 ft tall by 3 ft wide.

Coop size: 14' x 10'

Litter method: Pine shavings; If we're out of those, then I use hay.

#of chickens in coop: Over 70.

Location (city and/or state and/or zone): Forks, Washington

How many winters have you been through with your chickens?: 3

(Optional) briefly describe how your flock has fared using these methods: Since our flock changes each winter, it varies, but in general I've never had any losses except with hatchery bought birds.

 

[WoofMeowCluck]

Still trying to decide about heating for the coop. It was so cold and windy today, we live on a hill top. The chicken are literally blown across the yard.
What is the difference between using a heat lamp and the flat panel? Could you recommend a site that explains the heat panel, please. Is it safer than a heat lamp? Thank you!!!

 

[Robo]

Heat: Yes

If yes on heat, what method do you use: Heat lamp above the waterer

Insulated coop: No

Amount of ventilation (approximate sq.ft.)you employ during the winter: One wire vent at the top of the cage that is 2 square feet.

Coop size: 8x10 with a 10x10 run

Litter method: Straw in nest boxes and floor that I can slide out to clean every 2 months.

#of chickens in coop: 15

Location (city and/or state and/or zone): Knoxville, Tennessee

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

(Optional) briefly describe how your flock has fared using these methods: They have never gotten cold, and my waterer rarely freezes.

 

[BarredBuff]

Heat: no

Insulated coop: no

Approximate coop size: 8 by 6 and free range

Litter method: Straw

#of chickens in coop: 19 and 4 ducks

Location (state and/or city): Eastern Kentucky

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

 

[welsummer4]

Quote:
I'm not sure how their differ. I would assume that the flat panel heats the coop more evenly and is less of a fire hazard, but those are just guesses as I've never used one. Hopefully someone else can answer for you. Good luck!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Heat: No



Insulated coop: No

Amount of ventilation (approximate sq.ft.)you employ during the winter: 1 sq ft at night

Coop size: 5 x 3 raised coop

Litter method: Pine shavings, spot cleaned daily, shavings added as needed, DE as additional drying agent

#of chickens in coop: 4

Location (city and/or state and/or zone): NW Oregon

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. Not much ventilation, however, I make sure there is not a lot of wet poop laying around. So far there has been no condensation on the inside of the window. I also open the window part way during the day for further airing out. I believe that if I keep things dry and draft free, my birds will be just fine.

 

[silkiechicken]

Heat: no

If yes on heat, what method do you use (lamp, flat panel, etc.)?:

Insulated coop: no

Amount of ventilation (approximate sq.ft.)you employ during the winter: Tractor style, wire on all sides, with blue tarp wrap around top. One is a 4x4x5 plywood kids play house, non insulated brooder, 1/2 foot ventilation.

Coop size: 8x8, 4x8, 4x8 and 4x4 (single sheet plywood)

Litter method: Dirt floor tractor style with exception of kids playhouse, with wood floor.

#of chickens in coop: 6-16, 2-6, 2-6 brooder. It varies annually in numbers per coop and numbers of coops in use.

Location (city and/or state and/or zone): Everett WA, 7b, free range sun up to sun down year round.

How many winters have you been through with your chickens?: 13

(Optional) briefly describe how your flock has fared using these methods: Cold birds yes, but no frost bite, even on single comb leghorn females, only losses are from hungry predators like hawks, and the witty coon who opened the door!

 

[forrestacres]

Quote:
Everyone seems happy so far. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The lowest it's gotten temp-wise is 18 degrees F.