Coop Dangers: Tips for Winterizing Your Chicken Coop

It’s that time of year again when you need to start preparing for winter. If you have chickens, you may be wondering what the best way is to prepare their coop for winter. There are a few simple things that can make all the difference in keeping your feathered friends safe and warm! We’ve got tips on how to winterize a chicken coop from experts who know what they’re talking about.

The winter is a time for taking care of your chickens. Chickens need to be protected from the cold and snow, so it’s important to make sure their coop has all the proper insulation. You should also regularly monitor your flock during these months to keep an eye on any health issues that may arise due to lack of sunlight or changes in diet.

Why You Should Winterize Your Chicken Coop?

• To keep your chickens warm and safe during the cold winter months.
• Keeps them from getting sick or injured (e.g., frostbite).
• Keeps your yard clean from excessive droppings.
• Keeps harmful pests like mice, rats, and snakes away.

Chicken Coop Winterization Checklist:

• Provide them a layer of straw to insulate them from the ground. Straw is a popular option because it can be purchased at most feed stores and doesn’t cost much money to buy! Plus, it helps make the coop smell better. You should put down at least an inch worth of bedding for your chickens so that they can walk around on it comfortably and not be cold when they’re roosting. This will also keep their feet warm, especially if you live in a colder climate!
• Provide a heated shelter. For chickens that are used to cooping all year round, they will need the protection of a heated chicken house during these cold months. Why do chicken coops have 2 doors? You should make sure that your chickens’ heated shelter is at least three square feet per chicken and has a door to keep them in.
• Install a heating device. If you live in an area that gets really cold during the winter, consider installing some kind of heat source inside your coop to keep things warm for your chickens. A small electric heater or even a light bulb will work well! Be sure not to overheat it though–you don’t want them dying from the heat!
• Check your chickens’ water supply. Make sure that you don’t run out of fresh, clean water for your feathered friends during these chilly months. Chickens can drink from a variety of sources in the winter–from ice cubes to canned dog food because they get thirsty too! But it’s always best to have them drink from a clean source of water.
• Cover the windows and doors with plastic or burlap bags. It’s important to keep drafts out during these months so that your chickens don’t get sick! You can use old blankets, sheets, tarpaulin as covers for the walls and doorways if you’re running low on supplies.
• Provide food and treats. Chickens are smart animals, so they will know when it’s time for their favorite treat! You can use corn kernels as some kind of treat or even carrots if you’re feeling generous. These treats will help your chickens survive the winter and keep them warm!
• Give extra care to injured or sick animals. If you have any chicken that’s been hurt, give it an extra dose of love this season by keeping a close eye on its health as well as taking precautions for frostbite if necessary (e.g., providing a cozy heated shelter).
• Give them an extra layer of protection. You can cover your chickens with a sheet or blanket to keep them warm on those especially cold days! Just be sure that they have room to move around under the covers and aren’t being smothered by their bedding.
• Check in every day for fresh eggs. Chickens will produce eggs in the winter, so you can still enjoy fresh eggs at any time during these cold months.
• Clean out their litter regularly (e.g., straw bedding). This is a great way to make sure that your chickens are healthy and happy! Plus it keeps them from getting sick or injuring themselves on sharp sticks while they’re roosting.
• Watch for frostbite or runny noses/eyes. If you notice any of these symptoms, get them some help (e.g., a heated shelter) immediately! You can also give them warm water to drink if their beaks are too cold to hold the tap and they don’t have access to fresh water sources.
• Cover them up at night to stay warm! Chickens can’t generate heat like other animals, so when the temperature drops below freezing they’ll need an extra layer of protection from the cold. If you don’t have any old blankets or sheets laying around, you should consider purchasing some for your chickens (e.g., 100% cotton or fleece).
• Give them an extra month of daylight. In some parts of the world, there are enough hours in a day for your chickens to stay active and warm during winter months. However, if you live in a cold climate or want to be sure that they’re not too tired from being up all night long (e.g., when it’s really cold), you should consider extending their day for an extra month.
• Provide fresh vegetables to consume during the winter months. Chickens can’t eat too many carbs in the winter, so they will need some healthy veggies! You could chop up celery and carrots into small chunks or even make them a salad with spinach mixed in.

Conclusion

The winter months can be a difficult time for chicken owners. Chickens need protection from the cold and their coop needs to be secured so they don’t escape in search of warmth, food or water.

If you are considering getting chickens this year, consider adding these tips to your list before winter arrives. We hope that this blog post has been helpful! Let us know how we did by leaving feedback below!