Heating coop - Winter prep

[Goodnight]

We have a 4×8 coop (16×10 run that we plan to "wrap" a bit to avoid snow drifts). We're discussing what options we have to heat/water for the winter. Our outdoor temps reach -30F at times (sometimes colder... particularly if you take windchill into consideration). We have mostly barred rock, the largest comb we have is on a legbar.

I've read that moisture is an issue, so to put water outside and refill daily instead of getting a heated waterer for inside?

Heat lamps? Infrared heat panel? for general warmth and avoiding frostbite.

What type of insulation should we add?

I've already purchased to many unneeded items... trying to avoid buying more dust collectors!

 

[Krugerrand]

We have a 4×8 coop (16×10 run that we plan to "wrap" a bit to avoid snow drifts). We're discussing what options we have to heat/water for the winter. Our outdoor temps reach -30F at times (sometimes colder... particularly if you take windchill into consideration). We have mostly barred rock, the largest comb we have is on a legbar.

I've read that moisture is an issue, so to put water outside and refill daily instead of getting a heated waterer for inside?

Heat lamps? Infrared heat panel? for general warmth and avoiding frostbite.

What type of insulation should we add?

I've already purchased to many unneeded items... trying to avoid buying more dust collectors!

If you can share a general location, that helps to provide suggestions.

I have a heated waterer with horizontal nipples that stays in the run for when it gets cold here.

 

[WIchickMama]

As long as you have enough ventilation, and their coop is kept dry and draft free they should be just fine. There is not a need for extra heat, they will keep themselves warm.

We use a heated dog bowl out in the run, all food and water is in the run. We wrap the run with plastic and leave about 6 inches open at the top on 2 of the 4 sides. With the wrapped run, it stays dry and it keeps the ground from freezing completely so that the chicken can still scratch and dust bathe. The sun will warm up the run when it is out and works out perfect. My girls were outside every day last year.

Lots of threads on wintering chickens on here with a lot of great advice. Sometimes extra electrolytes or vitamins can be given if there are extensive days in the negatives. We give wet chicken feed mash warmed up daily and then we add once a week some mashed pumpkin or sweet potato just for something different.

 

[Goodnight]

We're in Northern Ontario.

The information I'm finding is pretty overwhelming! We were going to build an attachment to our coop to house a food container that we could access from the outside, but now I'm thinking of leaving the food in the run over the winter. Wrapping the run in plastic (aside from the top bit) sounds very doable.

I've read somewhere to about insulating the coop and using feed bags to cover/protect the insulation. We're strongly considering this option.

 

[aart]

This article might help you out.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

We're in Northern Ontario.

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[NatJ]

Our outdoor temps reach -30F at times (sometimes colder... particularly if you take windchill into consideration).

If the chickens are in their coop, or a sheltered run, they are not in the wind. That means you can ignore windchill when thinking about the temperature.

I've read that moisture is an issue, so to put water outside and refill daily instead of getting a heated waterer for inside?

Definitely refill it more than once a day, unless you have a heated waterer in the run so it stays thawed there.

Chickens do best when they have water available all day long.
I think morning & evening (after sunup and before sundown) is the bare minimum, if it's freezing in between.

A thirsty chicken will not eat either, and in cold weather of course it is important for them to eat enough!

It seems to help if you offer a wet mash once or twice a day (chicken food plus warm water.) That way they can get food & water at once, and they will usually gobble it down pretty quickly, which means they get full before it has a chance to freeze too.

 

[Krugerrand]

If the chickens are in their coop, or a sheltered run, they are not in the wind. That means you can ignore windchill when thinking about the temperature.


Definitely refill it more than once a day, unless you have a heated waterer in the run so it stays thawed there.

Chickens do best when they have water available all day long.
I think morning & evening (after sunup and before sundown) is the bare minimum, if it's freezing in between.

A thirsty chicken will not eat either, and in cold weather of course it is important for them to eat enough!

It seems to help if you offer a wet mash once or twice a day (chicken food plus warm water.) That way they can get food & water at once, and they will usually gobble it down pretty quickly, which means they get full before it has a chance to freeze too.

We sure don't get Northern Ontario cold here. But, in our coldest days, I'd pour some hot water over a bowl of their regular food, let it sit for a moment and then give it to them. They thought that was the best thing in the world. I'd do that as the evening time was approaching.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Don't use heat lamps! Too many chances for fires! I agree if you have electricity use it in keeping water from freezing. I used a stock stank heater in rin last year that helped my trash can waterer from freezing. I also have a heated pvc closed loop system that pumps heated water through it. I've heard lots of people use dog bowls with success.
Birds fluff up to stay warm but combs can frostbite .

 

[wyoDreamer]

NE Wisconsin here.
We don't heat the coop at all. Our coop is concrete and not very good ventilation, but luckily we haven't had too much of a frostbite problem. during really cold weather, frost forms on the walls inside the coop.
We have a warmer that the twin wall water font sits on. I have 2 so I can swap them when one freezes and I can't get it open to refill it.
Our current flock refuses to step in snow.

 

[mowin]

Any insulation in the walls is a invite for rodents. Feed bags are not going to stop them. They will chew through them and thank you for the nest building materials.