It's early October and autumn is in the air. The leaves are starting to change color and the mornings are cool. With winter just around the corner, it's time to prepare your chickens for the colder temperatures ahead.
There is a lot of debate about whether chicken coops should be heated in the winter. As caring, compassionate chicken lovers, we want only the best for our feathered friends. But what's best for them may surprise you.
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Listen to our Backyard Bounty podcast episode about heat lamps!
To heat or not to heat? That is the question.
Have you ever seen a little songbird weather a snowstorm? They are completely unprotected and visible in nothing but a tree. And guess what... they don't freeze to death!
So here are the filthy…chicken coopsshould notheated in winter, with few exceptions.
Adult, fully feathered birds do not require warmth. Chicks, young birds,sick or healthy birdsand special breeds (silky soft, cross,Poolsetc.) need heat. Butdoesn'twith a heat lamp. More about that later.
Why can't I warm the cup? It's cold outside!
The cold is exactly the reason you don't need to warm the cup. As the mercury gradually drops throughout the fall, birds naturally adapt to the colder temperatures. Furthermore, chickens are not mammals. They do not perceive the cold the way we do. So while it may be cold for you, your birds will be fine.
Heating the garden also comes with some serious risks, including the possibility of losing all your birds.
Firstly, hot (embroidery) lamps pose a serious fire hazard. Many houses burn due to dust, a stray feather or a knocked over lamp. If your chicken coop is close to your home or other property, your loss could be greater than just the birds inside. It's not worth the risk.
Second, a sudden loss of your heat lamp can shock and kill your entire flock. Think about it: how often do you lose strength in winter? Or what if the extension cord is disconnected, the heater fails or the light bulb burns out? The sudden drop in temperature is likely fatal.
What should I do if I have young birds or birds with unusual feathers such as silk?
Silk andmugs do not have the same feathers as other chickensand young birds are physically smaller than adults. This makes it difficult for them to keep themselves warm as easily. In this case, heat is probably justified. As mentioned earlier, heat lamps are very dangerous due to their high fire hazard. Additionally, a 250 watt light bulb costs about $20/month to run (if it runs 24 hours a day).
Fortunately, there is a wonderful product that is safe and inexpensive to use that solves these problems. ThatSweeter warmeris a complete infrared heater. Infrared heaters heat the bird's body, not the ambient air temperature. If it gets too hot, they can escape the heat and are not shocked by the cold outside air.
Because the heater is completely enclosed, dust, feathers and other particles cannot enter the unit, causing a fire hazard. And because it's inside, it can be hosed clean. The heater has a click switch and switches off when it detects a fall. In addition, the surface never becomes hot to the touch, eliminating burns. The largest unit uses only 150 watts, making it much cheaper to use than a traditional heat lamp. According to the company, in the more than ten years that Sweeter Heater has been in business, no fire has ever been reported. They are available in different sizes, both overhead and side mounted. As a side note, this is the only heater I use for newly hatched chicks. They are worth every cent.
What else can I do to winterize my house and car?
Even if you have electricity for your chicken coop and choose to use a Sweeter Heater, there are still a few precautions that should be taken to keep your birds comfortable.
Autumn cleaning
During autumn, when temperatures are still pleasant, the garden and the following boxes should be thoroughly cleaned. If you use a deep bottom method, it will need to be turned over. A clean chicken coop is a healthy, comfortable chicken coop.
Prevent drafts and increase ventilation
The most important aspect of a winter hut is draught-free and good ventilation. Coops that are airtight or poorly ventilated will build up moisture from the birds breathing and retaining it. Moisture is your worst enemy and the cause of freezing on ridges and ridges. Think of drafts as air movement, with ventilation being the supply of fresh air to the coop. Yes, the ventilation releases some warm air, but that is not a problem.
Make sure the copper plates are draft-free by sealing any cracks. Insulation can also be added to the coop. If you choose to do this, make sure the chickens cannot eat the insulation. It may need to be covered. For extra insulation you can also place loose straw (not bales) in the garden. It is important to control the humidity in the garden so that the straw does not mold, causing dangerous mold spores.
Ventilation can be increased by placing ventilation openings well above the living room. If the vents are inadequate and the house remains too humid, larger screened windows can be added. The water source should also not be placed in the cup itself as this adds to the humidity. The ideal humidity is 50-70%. A cheap onehygrometercan be purchased to measure the moisture level in the cup.
Provide a spacious sleeping space
A 2×4 with the wide side up makes for a fantastic resting spot. Birds can cover their feet with feathers, which prevents toe frostbite.
Cover the flight
Chickens don't like walking in the snow. Some may do it reluctantly, but are then exposed to getting wet (very dangerous for silks/mugs!). If possible, take a moment to wrap the cage, including the top, in plastic. The plastic keeps snow and moisture out and retains a little extra heat. Keep in mind that snow is heavy and will only cover the roof if it can support the weight of the snow. While you're sprucing up the run, the addition of a few new perches or other toys will be appreciated by your dull, piled-up hooks.
Vaseline
Vaseline can be applied to the comb and comb every few days to prevent frostbite. Please note that freezing is the result of moisture in the courtyard, which must be limited.
Access to fresh water
Good hydration is just as important in winter as in summer. A hydrated bird is better able to maintain its body temperature. Make sure fresh, unfrozen water is always available. If there is no power on the farm, the water will need to be monitored and probably changed several times a day. It may be easiest to bring the water into the house in the evening and replace it first thing in the morning. If power is available, abucket heateror aquarium heater connected to onethermokubussenis very effective, especially when usedtepel-irrigators(that's what I personally use).
Read more aboutprevents the water from freezingin the winter.
Food and treats
Feeding a small amount of waste before bedtime will increase the bird's internal temperature as it digests. Birds will do that tooeat more foodusually during the colder months so it is imperative to keep the feeders full.
Chicken shirts
A quick note about chicken sweaters. As cute as they are, they are bad for your birds and should not be used. Chickens keep warm by fluffing their feathers, something they cannot do with the sweater. In addition, they prevent smoothing andfabric bathing, and a rooster can easily catch his spurs.
