Winterizing a Small Store Bought Coop

[ChickenTeen13]

I am pretty new to chickens and bought a pre-made Precision Pet Extreme Hen House Chicken Coop to start my new flock. I live in a place with hot sommers and cold winters. It usually get to 10-30 degrees at night in the winter. I was wondering what I needed to do to get the girls ready for winter. I have 3 chickens and all of them are pretty cold hardy breeds.
I'm worried about drafts. The coop isn't insilated aand has a opened door. There is also another door on it for access fom the outside that i was thinking about seeling up. I was also planning on enclosing the run area with plastic sheets. The chickens get out 2-3 hous a day. I think the coop is too small for a heat lamp. I was thinking about getting one of those heated floor mats but then we have to figure out some sort of extension cord setup. I aslo read that some people use snuggle safe microwaveable heat pads. That would sure be simpler. If i had another heat source then i would just have a small light to keep up egg production.
Does anyone have any recomendations? I'll get some pictures of the coop later.

 

[mickey328]

How big is the coop? If the ventilation is placed so that the wind blows OVER the chickens' heads when they're roosting, it should be just fine. They generate an amazing amount of heat and their feathers are great insulation. As long as they don't have to battle wind, they can tolerate quite cold temps.

 

[hallerlake]

I am pretty new to chickens and bought a pre-made Precision Pet Extreme Hen House Chicken Coop to start my new flock. I live in a place with hot sommers and cold winters. It usually get to 10-30 degrees at night in the winter. I was wondering what I needed to do to get the girls ready for winter. I have 3 chickens and all of them are pretty cold hardy breeds.
I'm worried about drafts. The coop isn't insilated aand has a opened door. There is also another door on it for access fom the outside that i was thinking about seeling up. I was also planning on enclosing the run area with plastic sheets. The chickens get out 2-3 hous a day. I think the coop is too small for a heat lamp. I was thinking about getting one of those heated floor mats but then we have to figure out some sort of extension cord setup. I aslo read that some people use snuggle safe microwaveable heat pads. That would sure be simpler. If i had another heat source then i would just have a small light to keep up egg production.
Does anyone have any recomendations? I'll get some pictures of the coop later.

It would help to know where you live, so we know how cold your winters get. Also what kind of chickens do you have
?

 

[ChickenTeen13]

This is our set-up. I was thinking of using the sheets on the larger part of the run (with the big door) and leaving the rest open.

This is the outside door I was thinking about seeling.


You can see the large crack between the door and the wall.


This is the opened door that leads to the run area.



Heres the door from the outside.



This is the inside of the coop. It is small.


These are the lady's in their nest boxes. Theres a Road Island Red, a Buff Orpington, and an Easter Egger.

 

[ChickenTeen13]

It would help to know where you live, so we know how cold your winters get. Also what kind of chickens do you have
?

I live in Eastern Washington State, by Yakima

 

[hallerlake]

Quote: Yakima gets pretty cold. Plastic on the windward side of the run is a good idea. What kind of birds do you have? Some breeds are more cold hardy than others, but most are fine as long as they're dry and out of the wind.

 

[ChickenTeen13]

I have a Road Island Red, a Buff orpington, ans a Ameracauna/Easter Egger ( I'm not sure).

 

[lilchick]

With 3 hens in a small coop they should give off plenty of heat to keep each other warm. Just use lots of shavings or straw for them to snuggle down into. I would not worry about the crack in the door as they will need some air flow or else it will get damp from their breathing....

As far as enclosing the run I would use plastic as you stated and use it on the north and west sides where the draft is the worst. Keeping it open to the south and east which is not so windy and will let sunshine into their run.

If you want to keep them warm the seedling heating mats are easy to use. An outdoor heavy duty extension cord should work fine.

I would be leery of using any type of light in that tight space as they could fly up and break the bulb.

 

[ChickenTeen13]

Thanks I will take all of your comments into cosideration.

 

[cgiaco]

Hi there! I found your post doing a google image search. I am thinking about buying that same coop online (I am new to raising chickens and I live in South FL) and I was wondering what you thought of it? I know this thread is very old but I thought I'd give it a try!

Thanks!