Winter solved! **Updated**

[EliteTempleton]

So I kept thinking about how to handle the issues of winter, I only have 3 hens...

They started their lives in the basement...

Why not keep them in the basement for the winter? No going outside for eggs, constant temp that is above freezing with zero effort from me, no higher electric bills, except a light bulb for supplemental light, no going out in the cold go get eggs, just an easy journey downstairs.

On top of all that I can give them a dirt floor area(have cement floor, but plan to have a sandbox/dirtbox type bottom so they can scratch and such) and even toss in some worms and such so they have stuff to find when they scratch. Can clean the coop easily, etc, etc.

So, after getting permission from the wife

I've decided to keep them in the basement this winter.

Building coops is fun right...?

It will be a bit before I have it built but I plan to post pic's when its all done.

I am also seriously considering running a water line straight to the coop with a float valve, talk about automating that chore...

**Update is on page 6**

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

One word of caution, well two: dust and stink! I got meat birds (which ARE stinkier than normal chickens) back in March. I kept them in the basement and didn't give it a thought until every time my furnace kicked on, it blew the stink and dust all throughout my house!!!

I also had 13 birds as opposed to your 3, so it might not be so bad, but just be warned!

 

[Ellie_NY_chick]

Do we need to start a new website called "Basement Chickens"?

 

[Katy]

I realize you say you've only got 3 hens, but I wouldn't want the dust and smell throughout the winter.

 

[Daycare Mom]

Yuck, I would rather build a coop. All that dust and stink in the house. Better you than me!

 

[fullhouse]

I kept a few hens in the basement last winter for a couple weeks. Messy, dusty, stinky.

 

[MissPrissy]

Half way through winter you will rethink your decision.

 

[GlacierNan]

I thought it was a great idea...until the dust was mentioned. If only you could fix up a vent to pull it out a window, like a reverse fan.
Also as for the stink, I was amazed at the smell my girls produced when my feed store ran out of the Organic I had fed them from day one. I fed them regular food and oh my stars did they stink it up to high heaven. Thank goodness when I went back for more feed my good old Organic was back and I stocked up this time!

No more smell and shiny feathers againe

 

[Anny]

I think you could do it, but you'd have to clean them often.

 

[nautical_bouy]

Are you kidding? You have three---3 birds. Gosh I hope kids don't live there with that stuff flying around,,,, go buy some OSB @ 8 a sheet and put the livestock out where it should be,,, why and why again do people get chickens then think it's a crisis when they aren't peeps anymore???? Build the coop, build the run, then maybe you respect what it takes to raise them,,,, it's not get the TSC sale @ 1.50 bucks a peice then fresh eggs forever, do the math folks.