Wintering chickens

[NatJ]

Correct but I'm trying to avoid the frozen water issue.

Then heat the water, not the whole coop.

You can buy a heated base to sit the waterer on, or put a light bulb or heat lamp directly over the waterer, or various other solutions depending on the style of waterer.

Depending on your weather, and the temperature that naturally happens inside your coop, you might just need to bring fresh water first thing in the morning. Chickens don't drink while they're sleeping in the dark, so it doesn't matter if the water freezes then.

 

[trescloudy]

Then heat the water, not the whole coop.

You can buy a heated base to sit the waterer on, or put a light bulb or heat lamp directly over the waterer, or various other solutions depending on the style of waterer.

Depending on your weather, and the temperature that naturally happens inside your coop, you might just need to bring fresh water first thing in the morning. Chickens don't drink while they're sleeping in the dark, so it doesn't matter if the water freezes then.

I dont have electricity. I have auto drinkers and freezing will mess things up. I live 40 minutes from my chickens..I know everything you just said.

 

[ADKcluckers]

being that far away complicates things and makes a lot of suggestions not so workable for you - but as far as the bedding I'm using 3-4 inches of dry pine bedding in the 8x8 coop which is on linoleum flooring, and is under a metal roof along with the rest of the run. I try to keep the same depth of leaves, chainsaw shavings, dead grass, hay, etc in the covered run to keep their feet warmer. I can't think of great options for using water nipple buckets in a remote location without power other than having the waterer inside the coop, where the heat from the birds may help keep it warmer. the bigger water tub buried in the ground may work, or a solar powered deicer if there's such a thing.

 

[Teresa D]

I dont have electricity. I have auto drinkers and freezing will mess things up. I live 40 minutes from my chickens..I know everything you just said.

I agree you need some kind of heat water is their main source.

 

[trescloudy]

Does anyone use a heater in their coop? I have seen they have them for sale.

Do you have a link?

 

[Teresa D]

it is low wattage so you can use and extension cord.

Do you have a link?

Roll over image to zoom in

 

[Deenok]

I was told keep lots of ventilation near the top and on the left of my coop the front and back allows air to flow all the way through but keeps it off the roosts on the right side of coop. No heat just wind protection and fresh air. This will be their first winter and roughly 6 months. This is our first set of chickens. What do y’all think. I am very hopeful.