Comments on: Backyard Chickens in the Snow

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 17:32:21 +0000

In reply to Joe. They will learn to eat the snow when they are out and about if they have to but they need fresh water all winter long for sure.

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 16:28:45 +0000

In reply to Melissa. Can anyone comment on whether you need to provide water for the chickens in winter or can/will they simply eat snow instead?

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 04:22:32 +0000

In reply to Jana. Such a good idea! I think I'll look into that, thank you!

By: Jana

Jana — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:05:32 +0000

You should look into passive solar heating, super cheap and easy. There is one design that uses aluminum cans.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 03:20:02 +0000

In reply to sheila. It sounds like you are doing everything right! I hope they start laying soon. You can also use hay bales on the side that is the windiest or coldest for added insulation and lots of hay on the insdie so that they can make deep nests if they need to!

By: sheila

sheila — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 13:40:41 +0000

I have 3 Rhode island Reds and this will be my first winter for them in mid Illinois where our winters have gotten very very cold and our summers that use to be 95 is now averaging 75 weird weather changes. I too am worried and i was told to put a storage blanket over the coop then a tarp over that and that should keep the coop warm and without cold drafts. My coop is too small for a heat lamp and can not afford a bigger coop. My hens are 6 months yet only 1 is laying 1 egg every other day?? Maybe I am not feeding them the right food but i have 4 different bags of food/nutrients not sure how to deliver the foods like 4 different bowls?

By: Moire Bridges

Moire Bridges — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 00:38:34 +0000

We had a tough winter here in PA too. This was my first winter also. I did have a red heat lamp when the temps got below 15 degrees. The hens did great, black austroups, and New Hampshire Reds. My black rooster did get frostbite on his comb but survived and is feisty as ever. Thanks for the post. It was informative and funny. I’m glad I’m not alone!!!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 12 May 2014 16:45:12 +0000

In reply to Nicole. Yea! So we just did our second winter without heat and it went great. Lots of straw for them to play in and snuggle down in for the cold nights goes a long way as well as making sure the coop isn't drafty. The biggest issue is keeping the water from freezing... mine does, I just have 2 containers and I switch them daily. The second one will thaw in the house and then I'll take it out and bring in the frozen water. Other than that they do really well! Breeds with shorter combs do better too because their short combs are less likely to get frostbite. Good luck friend!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sun, 11 May 2014 15:26:07 +0000

Oh Im so happy I stumbled onto this!!! I live in Utah also. I jst started raising my first chicks in March and I am in a situation where running electricity to the coop is jst way too expensive. I have been researching & brainstorming heat & light ideas for the winter & this helped sooo much!

By: Jordan Walker

Jordan Walker — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 07:11:02 +0000

I have 6 chickens but I don’t use a heat lamp for them even in the coldest night. I always make sure they have plenty of food and water. I get around 4 or 5 eggs a day and this makes me happy. I’m planning on adding 3 chickens but I need to build a bigger house for them first.