How To Winterize My Chicken Coop

A thick layer of straw, wood shavings, or other materials will help insulate the floor of your coop and keep the interior warm throughout the winter. Many chicken owners use the deep litter method to maintain their flock's bedding, especially in the winter.

Do you have to winterize chicken coops?

If you care for chickens, that means it's time to winterize the coop. The cold season can be hard on your flock and they'll need a place – especially at night – to huddle together, keep warm, conserve energy, and continue to produce eggs.

What temperature is too cold for chickens?

Chickens can survive quite well with temperatures down into the teens. In fact, if you place a thermometer in your coop overnight, you will likely find the temperature has been maintained in the thirty to forty-degree area. Each chicken has generated enough heat to keep themselves and their flock mates warm.

What should I cover my chicken coop with in the winter?

You can use plywood, tarps, or even bales of hay or straw to block the wind, but clear plastic lets the sun shine through and keeps the run bright. It will warm the inside just like a greenhouse would. In the spring, just take it down, fold it up and store it out of the way until next year.

What is the cheapest way to insulate a chicken coop?

Recycled Styrofoam is an excellent insulation material for chicken coops because it is light weight, easy to install, and provides great insulation.

What bedding should I use for chickens in the winter?

Straw is one of the most popular chicken coop bedding choices for northern chicken keepers. Straw is an excellent insulator, which makes it great to use during cold winter weather. Not only is it a good insulator, but it is also easy to maintain and chickens love sorting through straw!

Do you put food and water in chicken coop in winter?

There are only a few things that are critical to a backyard flock in cold temperatures: access to water, feed and a dry, draft-free coop. Actively planning to ensure they have those resources is the key to cold weather survival with chickens.

Should I put a tarp over my chicken coop?

Heavy Duty Tarps can play a vital role in maintaining a good environment for your chickens to roost year round. Chickens enjoy an "open air" fenced setting during warm seasons since this provides optimal air flow and ventilation to prevent the chicken coop from getting too hot in the summer.

Should I put a heat lamp in my chicken coop in winter?

NEVER use a heat lamp with chickens! Another safer heat option to raise the temperatures inside the coop a few degrees is an oil filled radiator, BUT the inclination may be to heat the coop instead of just raising the temperatures a few degrees.

Do backyard chickens need heat in winter?

In yet colder climates, chickens benefit from enough heat to keep their living space at or slightly above freezing. In truly frigid areas, keeping chickens warm in winter may mean moving them into an attached garage, which is fun provided you don't do like my friend and accidentally leave the door to the house ajar.

What can I feed my chickens to keep them warm in winter?

Warming, Energizing Snacks like Scratch Grains and Suet Suet can also help keep your chickens warm by providing them some extra protein and fat. Commercial suet cakes are available or you can make your own suet for your chickens as well.

Can chickens stay outside in the winter?

Chickens are well-adapted to survive even very cold winter weather. Their feathers provide excellent insulation, and the birds can fluff their feathers to create an even warmer coat. They may even tuck their bills or feet into fluffy feathers to keep those bare parts warm.

Do chickens need extra bedding in winter?

Adding extra bedding to the coop in the wintertime is a great way to help insulate it and give hens a place to burrow and stay cozy. A nice thick layer of straw on the floor (12″ or more) will provide insulation against the chill from the ground.

How do I keep birds out of my chicken coop in the winter?

Other ways to keep wild birds from your chicken area can be hanging old CD's with string or twine, pinwheels or shiny tape like Nite-Guard-Repellent-Tape around your coop or run. When these move in the wind, the sudden flashes of light startle the birds. Scarecrows with CD's attached to the clothes can also work.

How do I keep my chickens warm in the winter off the grid?

Keeping Chickens Warm the Off-Grid Way

1. Woodstove Magic: Using Rocks. We have wood heat.
2. The Beauty of Straw. Straw is a great insulator. ...
3. Insulate Your Coop. Yes, it pays to add insulation to your coop. ...
4. Close the Door. ...
5. Warm Food.

What kills chickens in the winter?

The most common of suspects: domesticated dogs, raccoons, raptors (eagles, hawks, owls, osprey, etc.), foxes, coyotes, wolves, skunks, possums, snakes, rats, cats (from house cat to mountain lion), bears, pole cats (which includes minks, weasels, martins, fishers cats, etc.), mice, crows and of course, humans.

What is non toxic insulation for chicken coop?

If you want to insulate your coop a safe material to use is 1.5″ styrofoam sheets. If possible, these should be placed BETWEEN the walls/siding and the ceiling/roof. If you can't do that – don't worry. This material is non-toxic.

What do backyard chickens do in winter?

Chickens will roost together and fluff themselves out. This is what keeps them warm. It also keeps them off the cold ground—roost should be raised at least 2 or 3 feet above the earth. So make sure you have plenty of space for all your chickens to comfortably roost.

What do chickens need in the winter?

Consider heated waterers and plan to feed and water your flock more often when it's below freezing. Energy needs increase in winter – animals expend a considerable amount of energy to stay warm and will eat more feed. Complete layer feeds include all the energy hens need. The 90/10 rule still applies in winter.

What's the best thing to put on the floor of a chicken coop?

Wood shavings keep your chickens comfortable through their soft texture and insulation properties. Remember to clean the coop regularly and keep the surface of pine shavings fresh. This ensures the flooring is dry, soft, and clean, and when cleaning the coop you can throw the old wood shavings onto a compost pile.