Winterizing in Illinois - coop heaters and other questions

[JennM114]

Thank you!

 

[CluckerFamily]

I think plywood would be a better option. The tarp may not last during the winter snow and wind, I would hate to be replacing the tarp during the cold months.

 

[aart]

I dont recall the exact dimentions, but the hutch is about 2' tall, 1.5' deep, and 4' wide and it's raised 3 feet off of the ground.

Nowhere near big enough for a winter coop for 5 birds....
....not even really big enough for them to roost at night.

Would we be better off securing plywood around the walk-in coop for the window, rather than the tarp?

4x8 would be a good size coop for 5 birds.....but then you'd need a good sized run too.

There are 3 great articles linked in my signature(turn your phone sideways to see them-I think).

 

[JennM114]

So, they roost in the bunny hutch?

There are other roosts available in the general coop area, but they generally prefer to sleep on top of or in the hutch - and 100% in the hutch for the past 3 weeks

I see the tarp does not go to the ground in the pic you posted (at the back of the run). Is this bc there is a shed or building in that side?

It does go all the way to the ground in the back, but I've left it a bit open for now. The weather is still nice and I didn't want to trap too much heat. We will secure it all the way to the ground once it's consistently cooler.

have you assessed where the prevailing winter winds come from? You will want to block those winds.

It's a relatively sheltered area bordered on one side by a 6ft wooden fence and a near solid wall of mature trees, and on the other by our house. We've had a few severe thunderstorms with microburst winds, and their run was virtually windless.

is there any roof over the enclosure/run?

the steel coop is roofed, but the run only has tree canopy cover. Judging from pre-chicken years, that area of our property doesnt get much more than an inch of snow cover unless its a raging winter storm


As for those dirty mink, we're building a weasel box to help 'dispatch' them. We live in suburbia, so lots of rules against using the ol' .22 outside of the shooting range.

Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out!

So, they roost in the bunny hutch?

I see the tarp does not go to the ground in the pic you posted (at the back of the run). Is this bc there is a shed or building in that side?

have you assessed where the prevailing winter winds come from? You will want to block those winds.

is there any roof over the enclosure/run? Chickens are pretty funny about snow...they generally don’t like it-it is new and different and chickens don’t like change. They will stay in the coop and avoid the snow, even forgoing food and water to avoid the snow. Of course, they will eventually get used to the snow, but it really freaks them out at first, and by “at first”, I mean the first few days, and again if there is a break with no snow, then it snows again. So, for the short term, no reason you can’t add an OSB or plywood piece to provide a roof Off of the bunny hutch/coop/roost. Just secure it so it doesn’t slip or fall.

coop heater: hard to say, not sure what you are heating. but, in general, a heater is not needed. Also most will indicate not to use extension cords, but if you use extension cords For anything (such as your water heater/deicer), be mindful of using outdoor rated of the proper gauge and load, using the shortest cord that works.

I don’t have experience with minks, so no advice there. We (ourselves and 2 neighbors) had to kill 10 raccoons a few months ago bc they ripped apart my neighbors entire flock over 2 nights. So, a trap and a .22 are helpful in such situations.

 

[JennM114]

Nowhere near big enough for a winter coop for 5 birds....

The hutch is inside the 4'x8' coup. We put it in to provide an extra snuggly, sheltered place. There's other roosting bars in the coop, but outside the hutch.
The current run is roughly 12' wide and 36' long, but we have a larger area that we are preparing to build are larger coop for next year. Thanks for the links! They will come in very helpful.

 

[NatJ]

I think plywood would be a better option. The tarp may not last during the winter snow and wind, I would hate to be replacing the tarp during the cold months.

If you secure the tarp so it doesn't flap around, I would expect it to be fine through one winter, based on my own experience. My tarps have tended to get holes and look pretty sad as spring approaches, but as long as the worst of the winter is over I don't worry too much. Even a tarp with holes can do a lot to block wind and some rain, and that's all it needs to do as the weather warms up in the spring.

But I would suggest you buy a spare tarp and have it handy--if the current tarp rips loose in a heavy wind, it can then get all torn up and need replacing right away. Having a spare on hand means you don't need to rush to the store in nasty weather.

 

[Acre4Me]

There are other roosts available in the general coop area, but they generally prefer to sleep on top of or in the hutch - and 100% in the hutch for the past 3 weeks


It does go all the way to the ground in the back, but I've left it a bit open for now. The weather is still nice and I didn't want to trap too much heat. We will secure it all the way to the ground once it's consistently cooler.


It's a relatively sheltered area bordered on one side by a 6ft wooden fence and a near solid wall of mature trees, and on the other by our house. We've had a few severe thunderstorms with microburst winds, and their run was virtually windless.

the steel coop is roofed, but the run only has tree canopy cover. Judging from pre-chicken years, that area of our property doesnt get much more than an inch of snow cover unless its a raging winter storm


As for those dirty mink, we're building a weasel box to help 'dispatch' them. We live in suburbia, so lots of rules against using the ol' .22 outside of the shooting range.

Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out!

Sounds like you should be OK for the winter. Keep an eye on their behavior - that tells you a lot. Little snow is good bc it really freaks them out - just be prepared for that - you might need to have a stash of hay to toss onto the snow to give them something more familiar to walk on. Then keeping your water liquid is the other main issue that everyone is cold climates deals with.

 

[aart]

The hutch is inside the 4'x8' coup.

Some Common Terminology Clarification......

Coop: Fully enclosed waterproof area for nighttime roosting (sleeping) and nest laying......and harboring from weather if necessary. Needs to have ventilation but be free of strong drafts.

Run: Mostly made of mesh for secure daytime confinement.
Can be anywhere from totally weather proof to not at all(mine).

 

[NatJ]

The hutch is inside the 4'x8' coup. We put it in to provide an extra snuggly, sheltered place. There's other roosting bars in the coop, but outside the hutch.

Some Common Terminology Clarification......

Coop: Fully enclosed waterproof area for nighttime roosting (sleeping) and nest laying......and harboring from weather if necessary. Needs to have ventilation but be free of strong drafts.

I think JennM114 is already using the term correctly. Their "coop" is a metal structure with a solid roof, and tarps to provide weather proofing on other sides. It is contains roosts, is where the chickens sleep, and so forth. It is large enough for the chickens they have to spend the winter in safety and relative comfort, even when the run gets snowy.

The "hutch" is an extra thing inside the coop. It is not a coop--the chickens are never shut into it, and may choose whether to sleep in it or not. I think calling it a "hutch" was a good idea, because that helps make it clear that it is NOT a "coop" as we usually use the word here.

 

[aart]

Their "coop" is a metal structure with a solid roof, and tarps to provide weather proofing on other sides. It is contains roosts, is where the chickens sleep, and so forth. It is large enough for the chickens they have to spend the winter in safety and relative comfort, even when the run gets snowy.

Semantics maybe, but.....
I offered the common terms for communication clarity.
A coop should be fully weather and predator proof, this one is neither.
Chicago can get wicked cold and have extreme winds....am just trying to help.