WInter prep in Maine

[HerbsAndSpice]

Above: southern exposure

Above: western exposure

Above: northern exposure and door to coop

Above: inside of coop

Hi friends!

This is my first winter with chickens. We have only three — two EEs and a New Hampshire Red. Because it’s such a small flock, I’m worried they are more likely to be cold, so I need advice about keeping them warm in the winter. We live in southern Maine, so I’m expecting lots of snow and temps in the teens at night. There are two windows and a small door to their run. The coop was is built on the back of the shed and doesn’t get much sun, except in the late afternoon. The coop isn’t great, and I plan to replace it eventually. The eastern wall (adjoining the inside of the shed) is just a sheet of plywood. I’ve attached some pictures. Would love your advice!
PS: I don’t know if it makes a difference, but the chickens are free ranged during the day and I clean out the shaving in the coop once a week.

 

[Molpet]

I would put clear plastic on the west and north side of the run to block the snow and the wind. a box w/an opening to the pop door and to the south in front of the pop door to block the wind blowing in.. so they would walk out of the coop into the box and turn to walk out to the run.
Are the roosts above the nest boxes? I see a low roost over the pop door and my birds would use the nest boxes instead. roosts higher than nest boxes , but lower than windows so they don't get blown on.

 

[Molpet]

I love the awning windows, lets in air but keeps the rain/snow out

 

[lazy gardener]

Hi. Welcome from Central Maine. Your set up is very "doable". Suggestions, some of which you may already have in place or be contemplating:

1. Keep ventilation open all winter. Just be sure the wind/breeze can't blow on the birds as they roost. Only close down as common sense dictates during a blizzard with blowing snow, or sub zero temps. Recommended ventilation is 1 s.f. per bird.

2. Be sure the perch is far enough away from back wall and ceiling so that they don't touch it with their feathers. Ideally, the perch should be at least 2' below ceiling, 18" from back wall, with enough space in front of it so they can fly down without doing a face plant on the wall in front of them. If that's not possible, then give them a ramp to the perch.

3. Predator proof: If you can push a quarter through any opening, a weasel can enter. A single weasel will kill an entire flock in a single night just for giggles.

4. Deep bedding: Added insulation. If you can put a plastic barrier to protect the wood floor, then put down a deep bedding in the coop, that will help them to retain heat. I use leaves, grass clippings and other compostable materials in my coop, with the bedding usually 12" deep under the perches. I clean it out 2 - 3 x/year.

Deep litter in your run: Shovel all of that removed bedding from the coop straight into the run. Natural materials compost much easier than shavings. I only buy shavings when I run out of stock piled leaves! Deep litter provides all sorts of benefits: attracts beneficial bacteria, fungi, insects, worms to help keep pathogens in check. Birds who have access to deep litter have healthier flora in their guts, improved immunity, improved viability, improved feed conversion rates, decreased issues with disease. Soil covered with deep litter is much healthier than bare fecal impacted soil which is seen in many chicken runs.

5. Sun room: Cover all but the south side of your run with plastic. If you can, create a peaked roof over at least part of the run to shed the snow. I use a green house tarp over a truss system that sits on top of an old swing set. Mickey mouse, for sure, but it does a nice job, and creates a nice space for the flock to shuffle through the leaves all day long, even with cold blustery winter winds! I have to knock the snow down often, sometimes 2 - 3 x per storm, and yes, even in the middle of the night. But, IMO, it's well worth it.

6. Come visit us on the Maine thread!

 

[HerbsAndSpice]

I would put clear plastic on the west and north side of the run to block the snow and the wind. a box w/an opening to the pop door and to the south in front of the pop door to block the wind blowing in.. so they would walk out of the coop into the box and turn to walk out to the run.
Are the roosts above the nest boxes? I see a low roost over the pop door and my birds would use the nest boxes instead. roosts higher than nest boxes , but lower than windows so they don't get blown on.

Great ideas! I think I can handle those suggestions. These is not a roost above the nesting boxes, just the roost you see on the right side of the picture, and yes, like your chickens would, mine roost on top of the boxes to be higher up. I will look into raising the roost higher. I really appreciate your comments!

 

[HerbsAndSpice]

Hi. Welcome from Central Maine. Your set up is very "doable". Suggestions, some of which you may already have in place or be contemplating:

1. Keep ventilation open all winter. Just be sure the wind/breeze can't blow on the birds as they roost. Only close down as common sense dictates during a blizzard with blowing snow, or sub zero temps. Recommended ventilation is 1 s.f. per bird.

2. Be sure the perch is far enough away from back wall and ceiling so that they don't touch it with their feathers. Ideally, the perch should be at least 2' below ceiling, 18" from back wall, with enough space in front of it so they can fly down without doing a face plant on the wall in front of them. If that's not possible, then give them a ramp to the perch.

3. Predator proof: If you can push a quarter through any opening, a weasel can enter. A single weasel will kill an entire flock in a single night just for giggles.

4. Deep bedding: Added insulation. If you can put a plastic barrier to protect the wood floor, then put down a deep bedding in the coop, that will help them to retain heat. I use leaves, grass clippings and other compostable materials in my coop, with the bedding usually 12" deep under the perches. I clean it out 2 - 3 x/year.

Deep litter in your run: Shovel all of that removed bedding from the coop straight into the run. Natural materials compost much easier than shavings. I only buy shavings when I run out of stock piled leaves! Deep litter provides all sorts of benefits: attracts beneficial bacteria, fungi, insects, worms to help keep pathogens in check. Birds who have access to deep litter have healthier flora in their guts, improved immunity, improved viability, improved feed conversion rates, decreased issues with disease. Soil covered with deep litter is much healthier than bare fecal impacted soil which is seen in many chicken runs.

5. Sun room: Cover all but the south side of your run with plastic. If you can, create a peaked roof over at least part of the run to shed the snow. I use a green house tarp over a truss system that sits on top of an old swing set. Mickey mouse, for sure, but it does a nice job, and creates a nice space for the flock to shuffle through the leaves all day long, even with cold blustery winter winds! I have to knock the snow down often, sometimes 2 - 3 x per storm, and yes, even in the middle of the night. But, IMO, it's well worth it.

6. Come visit us on the Maine thread!

Wow! Thank you for your thoughtful comments and suggestions. I so much appreciate how you took the time. I have not heard much about using deep bedding and deep litter. I’m pretty much doing the opposite out of ignorance! I will definitely implement your suggestions. Thank you again!