Winter With Chickens: To Heat or Not Heat the Coop

[Going Quackers]

I think a key point is right at the start of the article


"Choosing the right type of chicken for your environment is a very important factor not to be overlooked."

I know i did, when we started into chickens, as being Canadian our weather tends to lean itself to cold and ever changing lol

 

[Rooster Rules]

I think a key point is right at the start of the article



"Choosing the right type of chicken for your environment is a very important factor not to be overlooked."

I know i did, when we started into chickens, as being Canadian our weather tends to lean itself to cold and ever changing lol

Your winter is nice and balmy compared to the winters on the prairies.......LOL
Hey all of my grandparents kept Leghorns in unheated coops, being mediterenean birds, with big combs, you figure they would have perished byt they didn't.
I have bantams and some heritage types, Barred Rocks, Sussexs,leghorn X. They will all be treated to some heat once the mercury goes right south, my way of managing my flock, and has worked for me.
I am not going to keep the coop at 60 degress, like a Guy I know around here, but He sells eggs, and it's all about production for him, although his flock is quite small....

 

[Hokum Coco]

"Choosing the right type of chicken for your environment is a very important factor not to be overlooked."

You are bang on with that statement.

On a similar note:
They are not the best egg layers but they are the BEST dual purpose bird and can handle cold extremely well.
Check out the link on the 100% Canadian bred Chantecler chicken.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chantecler_(chicken)

 

[Going Quackers]

Your winter is nice and balmy compared to the winters on the prairies.......LOL
Hey all of my grandparents kept Leghorns in unheated coops, being mediterenean birds, with big combs, you figure they would have perished byt they didn't.
I have bantams and some heritage types, Barred Rocks, Sussexs,leghorn X. They will all be treated to some heat once the mercury goes right south, my way of managing my flock, and has worked for me.
I am not going to keep the coop at 60 degress, like a Guy I know around here, but He sells eggs, and it's all about production for him, although his flock is quite small....

Well maybe but the negative 30's that we encountered many a day didn't feel it lol I still think choosing breeds appropriate for ones weather is important, it IS a factor to consider when buying/raising birds.

Weather extremes in any direction can wreak havoc on flocks, certain breeds have proven themselves over time to cope with it while others don't, it's about finding balance.

 

[Going Quackers]

You are bang on with that statement.

On a similar note:
They are not the best egg layers but they are the BEST dual purpose bird and can handle cold extremely well.
Check out the link on the 100% Canadian bred Chantecler chicken.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chantecler_(chicken)

Yes, a very good bird, i would love some but don't want any Roos! i have had had my fill of those with the silkies my daughter keeps. I am in the market to add to my main flock to ensure future eggs for the family but will be taking my weather extremes into consideration for the choice of breed.

 

[Rooster Rules]

Okay you 2 "Easterners"' gonna be -16c 2f with a -26c -12f windchill tonight, with no snow on the ground, will be bone chilling cold. By Wednesday supposed to be 6c or 43f....

 

[Hokum Coco]

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[MoonShadows]

Extra corn is good in the winter because it raises their metabolisms. That is also why you don't want to feed them corn on the hot days of the summer; they can actually overheat digesting it on a hot day.

 

[Kessy09]

I am in Manitoba too and have never heated my coops. I keep many smaller coops though, rather than large barns. I feel the heat is retained better as well as the air flow. I can keep a closer eye on each space and the flock in each. Most of the practices I have adopted from my grandparents who were free range chicken farmers. The only time they ever had issues over the winter was when they heated. We don't have a generator so if the power failed here, the chickens would be SOL. Most of the breeds we have here were bred for cold climate. I definitely am not opposed to changing the way I do things if I see a problem, I just never have so I'll keep on. Our coop walls aren't insulated either but I have a beautiful active deep litter and we have spray foam insulated all of the cracks. By the way, whereabouts in Manitoba did it get that cold last week????

 

[ten chicks]

I live in Manitoba and heat my coops. I have orpingtons and silkies it is too cold for my silkies,they need the extra heat.