Winterizing for hens

[LEORA Brown]

Dear Cluck,

As winter sets in, we are looking for advice on how to keep our hens comfortable in the winter:

We built a 5x5x5 coop for our five hens. (There are a few panels that we still need to screw in for it to be airtight.) The coop is set under a 12 x 12 structure that gives an additional wind barrier on three sides, and protection from predators. 

We put a branch inside the coop for the hens to roost on. Our hens in previous years used to huddle up on that branch, enclosed within the 4 walls. Our new batch of hens are about six months old. Since they arrived two months ago they have been sleeping on TOP of the coop. I am wondering if they are at risk of frost bite up there?  They seem to be just sitting on their feet on the flat roof. Also, presumably they are pooping under themselves, which seems a health hazard. I am wondering if we should block off the top of the coop with wire so that it is inaccessible in hopes of inspiring them to get inside the coop? 

Also what are everyone’s recommendations about heat lamps? Are they a huge fire risk or would you recommend putting one inside the coop? 

Final question: any suggestions on how to stop their water from freezing in winter? 

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Loghouse crew

On Mar 8, 2011, at 6:34 PM, CLUCK <cvill...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all, 

See below from Billie; contact her directly if you're interested in her roosters. And to correct her misperception: roosters are not outlawed in C'ville; unnecessary, yes, but outlawed, no. 

GH

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Billie <fairi...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 8, 2011 at 5:39 PM
Subject: Are you still a club?
To: cvill...@gmail.com

Hi.  I live in Albemarle and have had pet chickenz for going on 20 years now.

Currently, I have 2 frizzle roosters that need new homes.  Now, I know that the city doesn't allow roosters, BUT these boyz don't crow!  And they're TINY!   And terribly CUTE, too!  They will make your girlz HAPPY! 

 

I would really like to know they're going to good homes so am hoping that one of you 'city' dwellers might be interested.  I will guarantee that I will take them back if they don't work out.

 

Let me know if you think there might be anyone interested.

Thanx ... from FairieChick Farm

 

Billie

296.4565

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[Nancy Hurrelbrinck]

We have never done anything extra during the winter for our chickens. From what I understand, they tolerate the cold well. I do spread a bag of leaves in their run after it has snowed, because they don’t like to walk on the snow. For their water, we use a big metal bowl with a large rock in it, so they can’t tip it over, and we replace the water every morning.

Best of luck!

Nancy 

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[Brian Becker]

I would second that.  We don’t use a heat lamp and have had hens molt as last as January when the temperature got down to 10 degrees F and they somehow survived just fine (we have Wyandotte’s, which are a cold hardy breed).  We have two water containers and bring in the frozen one each morning and set out the other with warm water.  If you are concerned that the new chicks lack basic survival instincts you may want to go out after dark and physically take them off the top of the coop and place them on the roost until they get it…  Otherwise, sounds like you have a pretty nice setup.  Best of luck!

 

Brian Becker

 

15 Mobile Lane

Charlottesville, VA 22903

434-989-0050 (c)

briann...@gmail.com