Winterizing My Coup

[venymae]

North Eastern Kansas here, we have similar temps. A well ventilated, but none drafty coop doesn't need to be heated or insulated. I had breeds with large combs and nobody even had a hint of frostbite. Have a friend up in the Dakotas (WAY COLDER) who says the same thing is fine for her birds (which honestly shocked me! Gets to -30). Hope this helps!

 

[Molpet]

any opening greater than 1/2" weasels can get in... and they are in all southern Canada through Mexico.. I have only seen one live one in 59 years at my place, but a bunch of dead ones that the dog and cats got.
vents are important in winter too https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop.47774/
I do not heat my coop and the south side is open... around -20f here

 

[Chris Hazlewood]

Pictures of the coop and the first run when they were old enough to go outside.
I will take some new pictures tonight and share.

 

[Chris Hazlewood]

any opening greater than 1/2" weasels can get in... and they are in all southern Canada through Mexico.. I have only seen one live one in 59 years at my place, but a bunch of dead ones that the dog and cats got.
vents are important in winter too https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop.47774/

Ok, 1/2" may be an exaggeration on my part. Maybe a snake could, but not a weasel. I haven't seen any where I live either (in town) unless they were someone's pet. The neighborhood cats like to trek through my yard as well.

 

[Sublight]

Yes, I built 2 perches inside the coop on the opposite side from the nesting boxes and they are higher than the boxes. They used to use them until they figured out how to get on top of the coop.

Just do something that blocks the top of the coop, or clip their wings. (Clip only one of their 2 wings) So they cant fly up.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I feel like southern Missouri you will not need to deal with a heater. My cozy legs flat panel does not get turned on until we hit zero. When the birds are not getting down to feed or drink or staying on the roost to keep their feet warm... that is cold for them. You can observe your birds and then make your choice on what to do. -30 is nasty. And cruel weather. It is different than 0. One or two nights of that is fine on birds but a week of it starts to wear on the birds. I’ve seen it. A winter of -20 every morning. We’ve dealt with that too. Glad I had the flat panel. But when it’s zero or above the heater went off.
You have a beautiful coop with babies that are just a little mixed up where to go. A couple days to a week inside should cure them. And I think the idea of blocking their current roost was a good mention.

 

[Chris Hazlewood]

So I wrapped my coop last night and it was right time I did. It was 34 this morning.
I also "made" the girls get inside the coop for the night. I had to prop up the roof and put them inside one by one. They were not too happy at first, but I could hear then getting up on the roosts. I took some outside pics this morning before opening the door. Here are Charleze, Reba (RI red), Zuri, Michone (barred Rock), and Elsa (easter egg).

 

[Bogtown Chick]

They sure are beautiful pullets. I think wrapping for those prevailing winds is a good idea. I see some venting left on top and that's perfect. Warm moist air should pull out of there.
Make them tow the line getting into the coop.

 

[Chris Hazlewood]

Charleze (the blonde) and Zuri (all black) are already laying.
I will probably add some HD tarps to help keep the winter rains off of them. I do need to figure out how to keep their water from freezing.

 

[rjohns39]

Checkout this neat approach from @R2elk