Wisconsin Winters

[Savannah.Tucker]

Im new to chicken keeping. So far I love it, but I can't seem to shake one thought. I'm driving myself crazy thinking of how my chickens will handle their first winter. Or, more so how I will handle the thought of them being outside when I'm inside warm and cozy. It August, they are little right now, will they freeze? I've read that they shouldn't have a heater, then other information sources say they should. I'm so lost rite now. Just don't want my chickens to suffer. Advice? Freaking out in advance....

 

[Bladeguy]

I live in Central Wisconsin, first year with chickens. I will not heat their coop at all, just make sure they have great ventilation and can get out of the wind and drafts. It is dangerous to supply heat because if the heat goes out, they will not be acclimated to the cold and they would likely not make it if it got extremely cold. Look outside during the winter, even on the coldest days, and look at the chickadees and cardinals flying around....these birds can't generate the same amount of heat as chickens due to them being much smaller, but they do fine in the occasional minus 20 degree nights and 0 degree days. And your chickens have another advantage over these birds in that they have other chickens to cuddle with to stay warm. I understand the concern, but as long as you have breeds bred for cold weather and they get acclimated, they will do just fine.

 

[Savannah.Tucker]

I live in Central Wisconsin, first year with chickens. I will not heat their coop at all, just make sure they have great ventilation and can get out of the wind and drafts. It is dangerous to supply heat because if the heat goes out, they will not be acclimated to the cold and they would likely not make it if it got extremely cold. Look outside during the winter, even on the coldest days, and look at the chickadees and cardinals flying around....these birds can't generate the same amount of heat as chickens due to them being much smaller, but they do fine in the occasional minus 20 degree nights and 0 degree days. And your chickens have another advantage over these birds in that they have other chickens to cuddle with to stay warm. I understand the concern, but as long as you have breeds bred for cold weather and they get acclimated, they will do just fine.

I live in south west Wisconsin. Thanks for the advice. I've never had an outside animal so my guilt is getting to me early. If my husband would let me I'd probably have a room in the house for them. Glad he's the voice of reason! Lol

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Your birds will be fine! Pictures of your coop and run will help here, but in general they need space, shelter from wind and wet, and good ventilation. Also, they won't like the snow, so either plan on shoveling paths, having roofing over the run, or plenty of inside time in a large enough coop. Roofing the run is wonderful, but do plan on snow load when you build! Plan on heated waterers, either the bases under metal waterers, or the plastic heated ones (they are a pain to use, IMO!). Pictures! Mary

 

[lazy gardener]

The biggest benefit to my flock during the winter is their sun room. I put plastic around 3 sides of one bay of their run. Part of the top of that bay is covered with a peaked roof with green house tarp. So, they have a nice sheltered area that is open only on one side, and there is a deep composting litter in that entire bay. So, they can rummage through the leaves and even dust bathe all winter long.

 

[aart]

The first winter is the hardest, until you see how well they really do.

bobbi-j sez it best when asked about to heat or not:

No. Keep them in a well-ventilated, draft-free coop and they'll be just fine. My chickens live in an 8x8 area with vented soffits and windows that tip in at the tops for ventilation, when I get around to putting them in. I also leave the pop door open most of the winter. I will close door and windows when it gets in the teens below zero. More importantly, they need to be kept dry which is why you want the ventilation. Too much humidity in the coop causes frostbite and respiratory problems. They can actually get frostbite at relatively warm temperatures if the coop is too humid. The humidity buildup is caused by their breathing and pooping.

Your chickens will acclimate to the cold weather if you let them be. The colder it gets, the more fluffy down they will grow - basically growing their own little down coats. The warmth gets trapped in their feathers and keeps them comfortable. Consistent temperatures are better for them - cold inside and out. That's because they can't take their down coats off when they come in from outside. Think about this - when you go outside in the winter, you can put on your winter gear. Coat, ski pants, boots, hat, mittens, scarf. You go outside with all that on, and for the most part you can be comfortable. But what about when you go back in? Try leaving it all on for a couple of hours in your heated home. Or, you can heat their coop, get them dependent on that heat lamp so they don't grow their extra feathers, and your electricity goes out in a storm. Your chickens will not be equipped to handle that sudden cold. All this and then there is also the chance of your heat lamp causing a coop fire. It happens.