Winterizing a small coop (7 chickens)

[aart]

Since we're doing tech stuff...how I do only quote some of a post?

You can highlight part of post and then click quote or reply.

Or you can just quote the whole post and edit it in your reply.
Easy peasy on a laptop with a mouse, not sure about a phone.

 

[alex5chickens]

Yep, they did!

@alex5chickens ...pics of your coop?
...and...
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1955139

this is my chicken tractor

 

[Ratchnick]

What the heck your grass is green, that's not winter.

 

[CaptainSamH]

What the heck your grass is green, that's not winter.

I don't know where alex5 is, but most of the snow we got melted in the sun, but it's full on winter here despite our green grass - temps are teens/low 20's. I'm a winter person, but I was not ready for this just yet ( I haven't gotten a chance to get my garlic and some clearance sale perennials and bulbs planted!).

 

[CaptainSamH]

Pics of your coop, inside and out, would really help here.

Here some guides to show you how:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/announcements-feedback-issues-guides.3/?prefix_id=3

Also how to add your location so it shows under your avatar,
remember to scroll way down and hit 'Save'.

View attachment 1953695

They're not the best pics but...
One pic is from the outside with the door...for orientation, with our typical weather (either blowing from the west or a Nor'easter) this is the leeward side of the coop. The last pic is of the corner where they've been laying. I know the straw bale is encouraging them with some privacy but I don't want to move it until I have a better (bigger, more private) nesting box to install, since the ones against the other wall aren't being used (too small, no roof, etc...)

 

[ariri30]

Talk to me about this water rig. Right now we just have regular waterer with the jug and open tray, but it is starting to freeze so now I have a low heat red bulb lamp over it (which keeps it thawed without really heating the coop), but I don't want to mess with the birds' thermoregulation.

I would love to know too. Water started to freeze and I leave my house at 3:30am to go to work and get back at 2pm. I need to know how to keep their water from freezing overnight so they can have water in the morning.

 

[aart]

They're not the best pics but...
One pic is from the outside with the door...for orientation, with our typical weather (either blowing from the west or a Nor'easter) this is the leeward side of the coop. The last pic is of the corner where they've been laying. I know the straw bale is encouraging them with some privacy but I don't want to move it until I have a better (bigger, more private) nesting box to install, since the ones against the other wall aren't being used (too small, no roof, etc...)

I would open the gable vents back up.
What about the soffit areas, under the edge of roofline, are they open??
Pics from outside of those might help.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would love to know too. Water started to freeze and I leave my house at 3:30am to go to work and get back at 2pm. I need to know how to keep their water from freezing overnight so they can have water in the morning.

Do you have electricity out to your coop/run? What are you currently using as a waterer?

Some sort of heated waterer is the best solution, I have mine plugged in and on 24/7 through the entirety of winter.

 

[kstande]

I am in Indianapolis IN. By the end of the day we will be in the 20's with below zero wind chills into Tues. I have been slowly converting the vinyl shed on the left into the new coop. They are presently in the coop on the right. I have 8 hens and feel it is way to small. But with the bad weather fast approaching will wrapping the small coop with plastic be ok ? I feel like for such a small area even a small light bulb would be unsafe. And the only ventilation is this sq ft window on the side, but it's right on the hens. Shoild I cover it ?

 

[kstande]

I am in Indianapolis IN. By the end of the day we will be in the 20's with below zero wind chills into Tues. I have been slowly converting the vinyl shed on the left into the new coop. They are presently in the coop on the right. I have 8 hens and feel it is way to small. But with the bad weather fast approaching will wrapping the small coop with plastic be ok ? I feel like for such a small area even a small light bulb would be unsafe. And the only ventilation is this sq ft window on the side, but it's right on the hens. Shoild I cover it ?

Also my hens are about 8 months.