Chicken Coop Winterized

@kareng (80243)

United States

January 4, 2025 4:43pm CST

Some say it isn't necessary, but I'd rather make an effort for the chickens to be more comfortable in 25 F weather. They are not used to it, so they will be cold. I have gotten all water containers cleaned and filled with fresh water. That isn't something I want to do in freezing weather. I'll just have to break through the surface ice in the mornings for them to get some water. Next I winterized the grow out pen for the rooster that didn't get along with the rest of the flock. I put a tarp over it and left both ends open to where he can watch it rain/storm/tomorrow. Then the new baby pen has another rooster in it that has a tumor behind her eyeball. He isn't pretty and nothing contagious, but I didn't want any of the other chickens pecking at his eye. I was able to put up two plastic 50 # feed bags to block the wind for him. He is under an overhang roof so should be fine. Then I put a few tin pieces along the back side of the small side of the chicken coop where most of the chickens sleep at night. I figured anything would help. I am going to go back out there and add a tarp to the back side to break the wind and cold for when the temperature drops tomorrow night. That is about all I've done today except to cook a meal for us. More on that later! Photo Credit: Pixabay, Public Domain

15 people like this

13 responses

@kaylachan (84703)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

5 Jan 25

The chickens don't know it but thy'll like being warm.

2 people like this

@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

Right!

1 person likes this

@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

@kaylachan I am sure they would!

1 person likes this

@kaylachan (84703)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

5 Jan 25

@kareng If they could, they'd thank you for it.

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@moffittjc (128824)

• Gainesville, Florida

4 Jan 25

You mean those poor chickens don’t get a nice space heater in their coop to keep them cozy and warm? Lol

1 person likes this

@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

Nope and not even warming trays for the water. No electricity way out there and my luck would be that it would catch the coop on fire and I would lose coop and chickens.

1 person likes this

@moffittjc (128824)

• Gainesville, Florida

5 Jan 25

@kareng Yeah, I guess that's not a risk worth taking. Given that there's no electricity, I think you've done the best you can to try and make them comfortable during the cold snap.

1 person likes this

@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

@moffittjc If I had a younger husband, (hahaha- because I have been warned that there will be NO more chicken coops built) I would ask for an enclosed nesting coop and open run. Win-Win!

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@wolfgirl569 (135583)

• Marion, Ohio

5 Jan 25

If they can get out of the wind they will be fine. Look at the cold my chickens have to take

1 person likes this

@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

Right! However, I'd just as soon have Spring popping up--right now!! I know you would agree to that!!

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@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

@wolfgirl569 Yes indeed! Short sleeves and all!

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@wolfgirl569 (135583)

• Marion, Ohio

5 Jan 25

@kareng That would be wonderful

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@rakski (156200)

• Philippines

5 Jan 25

sounds like you’ve been working hard to ensure your chickens are as comfortable as possible in the cold weather.

1 person likes this

@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

Yes, you gotta do what cha gotta do!!

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@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

@rakski And my back feels it all tonight! Fixing to call it a night!

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@rakski (156200)

• Philippines

5 Jan 25

@kareng that is so true!!!

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@LindaOHio (222222)

• United States

5 Jan 25

I worry about any animals out in this cold, cold weather. Have a good day.

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@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

Yes, but apparently they are okay with it. They survive every winter.

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@kareng (80243)

• United States

8 Jan 25

@LindaOHio I am now done with winter after this week long stint here and it is not over yet!

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@LindaOHio (222222)

• United States

8 Jan 25

@kareng They're sturdier than I am! I hate the cold.

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@dgobucks226 (37621)

•

10 Jan 25

Those chickens are pretty resilient critters. Guess those feathers are just like wearing a warm winter coat. I feel sorry for them. Working in those harsh conditions to lay their eggs. Perhaps they deserve a little extra feed from you for energy, lol.

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@kareng (80243)

• United States

11 Jan 25

Mine get a better feed during molting and winter. Instead of 16% protein, they get 22% protein. It does help!

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@kareng (80243)

• United States

15 Jan 25

@dgobucks226 Thank you for stopping by!!

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@dgobucks226 (37621)

•

14 Jan 25

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@allknowing (153544)

• India

15 Jan 25

You are taking care of your chickens pretty well

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@kareng (80243)

• United States

15 Jan 25

I'm trying!!

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@Juliaacv (56195)

• Canada

4 Jan 25

You have taken such precautions to keep them safe and warm tonight, I hope that it works. I believe that it works out to be about the same temperature (-8C) here as it is there. Brrrr, stay warm and cozy inside.

1 person likes this

@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

Well tonight will be okay, thunderstorms hit tomorrow and then dips into the 20's tomorrow night. So, I had to do it today if I wanted to get 'er done!!

1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (97912)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

5 Jan 25

I know the chickens appreciated your efforts to keep them warm,

1 person likes this

@kareng (80243)

• United States

6 Jan 25

I would hope so!! I feel bad for those up north in all the snow!

1 person likes this

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (69157)

• Centralia, Washington

4 Jan 25

I always worried about the hen's feet when the weather turned icy. I remember going out and bashing holes into their water buckets when things froze.

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@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

It can't be comfortable for them. I remember the 2nd or 3rd year I had chickens I covered the sides with empty feed bags to block the wind. That was a project! I would add however many per day to get a side covered. I need to save bags again and do that next year. Just takes a little time, which is fine if it gets started early enough.

1 person likes this

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (69157)

• Centralia, Washington

5 Jan 25

@kareng We had days and days of below freezing temps so it was a project keeping the hens going. I wish you luck.

1 person likes this

@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

@sallypup Yep, I'm expecting next week to be all about animal care and staying warm!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Jan 25

Some domestic animals have a very tough time of it in bad weather. Your chooks (chickens) will appreciate your efforts I'm sure.

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@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

It won't hurt for sure! I think they will be more than welcoming it on the second, third, fourth and more nights of this!

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@andriaperry (118793)

• Anniston, Alabama

5 Jan 25

I made beds for the wild cats, I'm going to add more bedding tomorrow.

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@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

I am going to open the dog's kennel on the porch for these around here. They usually go to the dairy barn in the field behind us though. In the summer I find them on the porch asleep though so maybe they will find it open and available.

@freelancermariagrace (29342)

• Philippines

5 Jan 25

You did an excellent job at helping the chickens feel comfortable. :)

1 person likes this

@kareng (80243)

• United States

5 Jan 25

Thank you.