Official BYC Poll: What’s the most challenging part of chicken keeping for you during winter?

[Debbie292d]

I might have a suggestion to that problem. I use a hasp latch set with a carabiner...

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I don't know if any raccoons have tried to get into my coop, but they would have to figure out how to open the carabiner and remove it. So far, 4+ years, no raccoon attacks...



I live on a lake and we have Bald Eagles and hawks overhead all the time. I cannot let my chickens free range. I have a nice sized chicken run and just stretched bird netting across the top. Bird netting is inexpensive, and I have never had an attack. I'm sure they see the netting and just go elsewhere for a meal.

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Sorry you have such a bad predator problem.

I think carabiners are one of the best things that a raccoon cannot figure out!

Hubby likes magnets though. He put 90# magnets on the four doors inside the 12x20' breeding coop, then we talked about what to use for the outside. We have seen just about everything up to bear even here.

He wanted to do magnets on the four outer pen doors, so I said fine, but let me research a raccoon's pulling ability as I initially didn't think magnets would work on an outer door where predators could be roaming around.

It seems most raccoons pull very little, up to around 20# or so. There was one story about a raccoon pulling a 40# bag of dog food across a yard. It was struggling but doing a good job of it. Now, that is rare, but still, I want to be sure we don't wind up with a talented raccoon getting into our chicken pens.

So, he had me order more magnets, this time, two 90# per door. He said I should still be able to open the doors even though that's a combined pull force of two now. It's tough actually. I have to pull pretty hard. He reinforced the doors to withstand me jerking to get them to open. As I keep doing it, I'm sure I'll get a strong right arm. Nothing can get in those pens, albeit a bear.

 

[gtaus]

I think carabiners are one of the best things that a raccoon cannot figure out!

And they are cheap. Also, I can unlock a carabiner on the coldest of days here in the winter. I have padlocks on some of my sheds, and sometimes they can freeze hard in the dead of winter and it's a real pain to get them unlocked.

Hubby likes magnets though.

Well, I have never considered using magnets on doors on my chicken coop. If it works for you, that's great.

One advantage I think the hasp and carabiner system has over just magnets is that I also have the option of putting on lock on the hasp. If you have neighborhood kids snooping around, you might need a lock on your doors.

Speaking of latches in the winter, one of my concerns is always having metal freezing solid outside. If you don't have smart predators, like racoons to worry about, a simple wood latch is easy to manipulate when fully gloved...

 

[Evadig]

Worst part of chicken keeping in winter for me is getting out to the coop. The deck is as slippery as an ice skating rink and then I have to slide upright down hill carrying a three gallon bucket full of water. I have fallen down multiple times.

 

[SourRoses]

Other: Getting myself out of the house to go shut the chickens in for the night, because it's cold and I don't like it!

Sometimes I have to go on hunts for socks to wear with my flip-flops so I don't get frostbite, and when I look up at the window it's pitch black outside. Because the sun just falls out of the sky.
But... our FL chooks sure appreciate this weather.

 

[kismit]

in a word? Mud. princess peach (in my av glaring at us all) is prone to mudball toes, which is kind of funny considering lydia deets (black hen behind her) has feathered feets and no issues aside muddy egg toes

 

[chickengr]

in a word? Mud. princess peach (in my av glaring at us all) is prone to mudball toes, which is kind of funny considering lydia deets (black hen behind her) has feathered feets and no issues aside muddy egg toes

my indian runner ducks are prone to mudball toes (if not feet) while my silkies are not, lol.

 

[TOMTE]

Other: Getting myself out of the house to go shut the chickens in for the night, because it's cold and I don't like it!

This is so real. My girls love to stall and take their sweet time getting into the coop in the evening. And I love winter and cold weather, but at a certain point, I want to get back inside and warm up again! Yesterday evening I was sitting with them for a half hour before they finally realized it was getting pretty dark outside and they should get their fluffy butts to bed... But they still took their sweet time about it

 

[Love Donkeys]

Where we are our winter weather is always riding a roller-coaster. Yesterday it was sunny, temperature was almost 60. This morning it was heavy rain and in the 50's. Tomorrow night the temperature is projected to 9 degrees or less.

Since my flock is free-range ventilation is not a problem during the day. It's the nights I worry about. How much do I open the coop windows, should I keep the windows closed and rely on the eave vents.

 

[Folly's place]

Going out in the cold is my problem, it's good for me, right? Filling the horse tank (is it leaking right now?) and doing chicken chores, all fine, but CHILLY in winter. I too need to wear gloves to keep my hands warm, and that makes latches and snaps hard to work.
The chickens hate snow, and they don't want to be out in it, so that makes the coop grungier, not great. More shavings on top, rake it a bit, and toss some treats to get them busy turning it over.
We are getting eggs, thanks to the light on the timer, and the coop is pretty safe, and large enough, and ventilated, so no real issues there.
Fox tracks in the snow going past the coop today, but not going around the coop, and the birds will be in again for a while.
Mary

 

[Love Donkeys]

Worst part of chicken keeping in winter for me is getting out to the coop. The deck is as slippery as an ice skating rink and then I have to slide upright down hill carrying a three gallon bucket full of water. I have fallen down multiple times.

I have used cleaned out Walmart brand 1 gallon Vinegar bottles to transport water. The bottles have a strong snap cap. You could roll them down the hill in front of you or drag them behind you on a rope.

We use them when we go camping. They get bounce and rolled around in the bed of the pickup. Haven't had one pop open yet.