It’s that time of year to begin winterizing your chicken coop (if you haven’t already–you folks up north)! Chickens can definitely survive just fine in unheated coops, but it must be dry, somewhat insulated, and free of major drafts. We are fortunate that where we live the weather does not stay below freezing for very long over the winter and in general the temperatures are pretty mild. Of course, I still worry about my babies though!!
1. Check the coop for any cracks. Make sure it is draft-free!
2. Add an extra layer of pine shavings on the floor to help insulate. Some people add insulation to the walls of their coop as well.
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| We added some straw mixed in the nesting box to make it cozier for the layers |
3. Check for any dampness. This is a problem for me because my chickens like to have a small water bowl inside their coop for a drink while they are confined, but due to spills and drips from their beaks it makes the area around the water bowl moist. I’m weighing whether it is worth it to have extra water inside for them or risk frostbite.
4. Add heat only when necessary. Chickens can naturally tolerate pretty cold temperatures depending on their breed. I raise primarily Dominiques, which are inherently cold-hardy. They are happy to be out in the frigid cold foraging and bracing any weather conditions. However, I do have a small heating pad in the coop that is buried under their pine shavings and comes on automatically when the temperature reaches below 35 degrees. Yes, I’m a sucker and my chickens are spoiled.
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| This cord that is connected to their light is buried under the pine shavings with the heating pad |
5. Invest in a chicken waterer heating base. This will prevent your water from freezing since the last thing you want is for your chickens to be without water.
6. Give scratch grains with cracked corn for treats. Corn will help raise your chickens’ body temperatures a little, making scratch grains with cracked corn a great winter-time treat for your flock.
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| Over the summer we extended their run to include this very large round pen that is enclosed with solar-powered electric fencing and covered in netting. It gives them more room to run around and play when we are not at home to let them out. |
