This is good information for beginning chicken tenders who keep chickens in the northern climate. We do the deep litter method for the floor in our coop. We find it is the best way to keep chickens. Also, we preach ventilation at the top of the chicken coop. Our chickens fair well even on the coldest winter days when we get zero or below. We don’t like to think about those cold days coming up but now is the time to work on the coop to prepare. We have been keeping chickens for about 8 years now.
Thank you for your comment. That is great information. Yes, now is the time to begin winter preparations so bad weather doesn't catch you by surprise. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Welcome and thank you for being here on the channel!
Is it top ventilation with an uninsulated or insulated ceiling? I am winterizing a coop and was going to insulated and vapour barrier the “ceiling/attic” and add a vent at the top of the wall. Is this a good idea? Thank you.
@@AndrewMarsch My coop has top ventilation under the eaves with an uninsulated ceiling/roof. The additional measure of insulating will help maintain the temperature in your coop year round. It is an additional expense, however, I have never regretted taking extra measures for the care and comfort of my flock.
@@ChuckTheRoosterwhat climate zone are you in? We are in the Canadian prairies so I’m concerned about leaving the attic area uninsulated. We’ve got a few weeks of +35c and a few weeks of -40c each year and everything in between.
@@AndrewMarsch I'm in grow zone 6a. It sounds like your area experiences much more severe weather than mine does. I support and am happy to hear about your efforts to care for your chickens in your climate and to provide them with excellent accommodations suited to your unique weather conditions. What is right and what is needed will be different for every flock and is influenced by many factors. It sounds like considering your severe temperatures an insulated coop roof is an excellent idea. Keep up the great work and thank you for being here on the channel! The more we all share about the different conditions we encounter when caring for our flocks, the more we can all learn and grow together.
Hello from northern Europe where last year our temps hit minus forty three celsius. Our chickens managed better than I thought they might. They're in an outdoor small barn with top ventilation and I use deep litter. Very informative and good video, thanks for being so down to earth and helpful.
Thank you for your kind feedback and for sharing your experiences. That is way colder than it gets here! Thank you for sharing how you have been successful in those temperatures. Feel free to share additional information about your tips for keeping chickens safe in those temperatures. That is amazing! Hello back from the USA!
@@AndrewMarsch It is an insulated ceiling with top of the walls ventilation. I make sure there are no draughts lower down. We must keep the roof well covered because of heavy snows. When they begin to thaw too much water would get in that way. Hope that makes sense.
1. Keep it dry 2. Wall mounted coop heater 3. Protect from elements like roof for precipitation and side walls or tarp for drafts but allow ventilation so they don’t die 4. Livestock safe ground cover liter 5. Provide roosts 6. Repair holes 7. Provide warm treats but not moist ones that might freeze on their face 8. Provide wind breaks like temp walls or trees 9. Straw bales -block wind, create perches 10. Warm bricks or blocks by placing in sun 11. Keep coop doors closed to maintain temps in emergency drops in temp Not exact order
Very true, a little cracked corn before roosting helps the flock stay warm. Yes, you are also right that it should be fed in moderation as to not accidentally cause a nutritional imbalance. For my flock I feed treats 3 times per week. Thank you for being here on the channel!
For emergency cold drops, fill up plastic jugs with hot water, screw on top and place in enclosed coop area. It will raise the temperature several degrees in an enclosed space.
Thank you for sharing your information from your lived experience keeping chickens warm in cold temperatures. The more information we share the more we can learn and grow together!
I use a water filled bottle method…I reuse …simply lemonade… bottles. I create a wall of bottles placed around coop /run structure like a fence border. This seems to help insulate the coop from the outside & chickens are in zero danger from bottles and no poop gets drenched on them either, as they are placed on the outside of structure. It provides some wind protection too.
I'm very glad it was helpful to you! Let me know if you have any additional questions. I will do my best to help you find the info you are looking for.
Very interesting, and I will be rewatching this in the future. Lots of helpful information. I do have one question. I heard someone elae say removing trees helped with predators because predators like perching in the trees and swooping down from their perch to get a chicken or two. Are there maybe other factors relating to prehaps climate or location I might not be thinking about? Thank you in advance.
There are many factors that will impact the type of predator pressure you will experience in your region. Your weather, the wildlife in your area, the infrastructure you provide for your flock, and other factors will all play in a role and the kind of predators you may encounter as a backyard chicken owner. Keep in mind domestic animals like unmonitored dogs can also be a danger to your flock. It has been my lived experience that having trees in my chicken area is good thing and I have seen them use them for both cover and shade. Ultimately you will have to make the determination yourself whether including strategic trees and shrubs in your chicken area is beneficial. I encourage you to watch my video about protecting your backyard from predators. The best defense against predators is stacking multiple methods of protection for your flock and not relying on just one or two prevention measures. I will include the link below. I hope this is helpful! th-cam.com/video/V4TkIM197c0/w-d-xo.html
Very true, you have us beat across the pond with lovely mild weather. Enjoy it for us! Sending you positivity and good energy. Thank you for being here on the channel!
I'm happy you found the information helpful. Let me know if you have any specific questions or if there is a certain topic that would be of interest to you. Thank you for being here on the channel.
Thank you for your kind words. I'm driven by the purpose to make this information more accessible to everyone. Thank you for being here on the channel!
Also pick cold hardy breeds like you Dominique, Chantecler, Buckeye, Ameraucana, Eater Egger, Derbyshire Red Caps, English Marsh Hens, Silkies, Rose Comb forms of Leghorns-Dorkings-RIR-Minorca and such.
Thank you for your question. Since you and others have asked specific questions about temperatures I will be dedicating my next video to this topic. I will be doing more research this week so I can answer your question thoroughly. Until then here is my complete Winter Care Tips playlist with all of my current winter chicken care content. th-cam.com/play/PLchMJnb8LlPqzlYqo4N_tC-C_QshDJ_96.html
Mine have survived -30 below zero as long as they stay dry. Please note that if you choose to use a heat source, they get accustomed to it and if it fails during a cold snap, they won’t be conditioned to it so will freeze 🥶 My main problem in winter is eggs freezing before I can gather them!
@@ChuckTheRooster thanks, I look forward to it, our girls are interesting to get to know, they aren't old enough to lay yet, but are as attentive as any 'pet' we've had before. Never raised birds before, so this was a surprise. I look forward to learning more
Oddly, my daughter's name is Terra...and they usually misspell it as "Sierra!" Same last name. we love our chickapoos! e raise in an indoor "pet yard" but are interested in an outdoor build that is safe and comfortable for them.
Our flock serves two purpose, they are both egg layers but also pets and companions. I was very surprised after owning my first chickens what amazing and rewarding pets they are as well as useful, helpful livestock animals. Helpful coop designs and plans can be found in many beginner chicken guide books as well as online and at your local library. Searching for coop design or outdoor chicken coop is a great way to get started. Beginner chicken guide books are also available at farm box stores and they include lots of helpful info including coop and run plans! Our chicken infrastructure is 99% reclaimed and upcycled materials. You don't have to spend a lot of money to build your flock an amazing, fun, functional, and safe space. Thank you for your comment!
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I appreciate you sharing what has worked best for you with your flock. There are pros and cons to both lime and DE (food grade diatomaceous earth) and it's important to do appropriate research before using either. I use DE not by itself by as part of mixture in my chicken bath which includes clean fill dirt and clean wood ash from non-treated wood as well as washed course construction sand. I concur it should not be used by itself. I haven't worked with First Saturday lime before, so you've brought something new to my attention! Thank you for giving me a new research topic. I may even do a video about this at some point because it is very interesting to compare the two. I appreciate you and thank you for being here on the channel!
I'm considering putting a slow cooker on the "warm" setting, under the wooden floor if we get to below -10 this winter. we got down to -17 last winter. any one have any thoughts on using a slow cooker for this? It turns itself on and off all night too, so I assume it'll save a bit of energy that way. Maybe even place it in the coop if I have to.
I have not heard of this idea before. Do you know anyone who has used this method successfully? I would not recommend placing a slow cooker in the coop with your chickens or under your coop due to introducing moisture into the air during freezing temperatures which increases the chance of frostbite. If it was in the coop I would also have concerns about the chickens burning themselves on the cooker itself or by interacting with the liquid inside of it. As long as your coop is dry and you have climate hardy breeds most chickens don't require any additional heat source. If you have electric available to your coop and you feel strongly a heat source is needed I would recommend a wall mounted panel heater. They are coop safe and relatively inexpensive. I'm not diminishing your experience if you have used this before successfully and without any incidents. My flock is very active in their coop and I could foresee many possible accidents using the crock pot. I would not recommend the crock pot for safety reasons and would instead acquire the wall mounted panel heater. I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have any additional questions. I'm always happy to share ideas and I respect whatever you feel is best for your flock.
Any ground cover litter if it is not properly maintained and changed in a timely manner can become home to unwanted pests and predators. On our homestead I use deep bedding method so the whole bedding pack is removed in entirety in the spring season and moved to the compost to process before going to the garden. Even if you are using spot clean and scoop bedding method, the litter material, whichever kind you have chosen, should be changed in entirety at minimum annually to keep harmful bacteria, pests, and predators from lingering in the litter from season to season. I maintain my coop and run daily and seasonally deep clean my chicken area. I replace all of my ground cover litter annually. With this maintenance schedule I haven't experienced any predators forming nests in the pine shavings. I also deter pests by stacking multiple pest and predator prevention methods. If you haven't already seen it, here is my predator video where I talk about all the ways I know how to keep predators out of your chicken area. Protect Your Backyard Flock From Predators th-cam.com/video/V4TkIM197c0/w-d-xo.html Thank you for your question.
In order to know whether or not your region experiences harsh winter temperatures, I encourage you to explore what grow zone, or plant hardiness zone, you are in. Your grow zone will not only indicate what garden plants thrive in your area but it will also give you a good idea of seasonal norms and extremes. While your region may be typically mild, many areas are subject to occasional extreme storms and weather patterns. It never hurts to be ready with an extra tarp or a few spare bales of straw, just in case. I have an entire playlist dedicated to everything I know about winter chicken care and what has worked for me in my region. The emergency care tips video is one I made when many southern regions were suddenly subject to an unexpected winter storm. Being weather aware is also another great way to care for your flock. If you are expecting unusual winter weather in your area, prevention can make all the difference when it comes to protecting and caring for your flock. So, even if extreme winter temps are not the norm for your region it never hurts to know what to do in the event you are faced with unexpected winter weather. Here is that playlist, I hope you will find it helpful. Thank you for your question! Winter Care Tips th-cam.com/play/PLchMJnb8LlPqzlYqo4N_tC-C_QshDJ_96.html
Thanks for letting me know. I am still pretty new to making videos so I am learning as I go. I have received this suggestion and made adjustments to the music going forward. Thanks for being here on the channel!
Thank you for your question! You have actually helped inspire my next video where I will go into temperature specifics and talk about more winter chicken readiness tips. I will be doing more research this week. I hope my next video will answer your question. In the meantime, here is my winter care tips playlist with all my current winter content. Winter Care Tips Playlist th-cam.com/play/PLchMJnb8LlPqzlYqo4N_tC-C_QshDJ_96.html
I am in Minnesota and we can go weeks w below zero temp and serious windshield I have used headlamps in past but looking for other options do add straw instead of or in addition to shavings very concerned about it be to cold for them to survive
I have read about people using hot water bottles on the chicken community forums I belong to however I personally have never used them. My concern would be the bottles leaking and creating a very dangerous situation for the chickens by introducing moisture into a freezing environment. If you choose to use heated water bottles as your heat source I would be absolutely certain they are leak-free and when placing them in the coop wrap them in old newspaper or scrap cloth to ensure your chicken's don't inadvertently burn themselves on them. The water bottles would need refreshed daily. I hope this is helpful!
Thank you for your question. If it is at all feasible, I highly recommend investing in a heated livestock bowl. There are many designs to choose from. While there are ways to prevent water from freezing during the winter without electricity, none of them are as reliable or maintenance-free as a heated livestock bowl. If that isn't practical for your situation, you can try using a sturdy black rubber livestock dish inside of an un-used tire with no rim placed in a sunny area. The tire can be lined with pool noodles or spray foam and ping pong balls can be placed on the surface of the water to help break up surface tension and prevents ice from forming longer. Regardless, any electric-free solution will need to be checked multiple times daily to ensure it hasn't frozen. Fresh water is a very important part of maintaining your chicken's health. In severe temperatures, even the most creative electric free solutions will be tested. In my lived experience the heated livestock bowl is the way to go if at all possible.
❤❤ Frozen eggs can still be used for baking, scrambled.
Thank you for sharing your ideas! Welcome!
This is good information for beginning chicken tenders who keep chickens in the northern climate. We do the deep litter method for the floor in our coop. We find it is the best way to keep chickens. Also, we preach ventilation at the top of the chicken coop. Our chickens fair well even on the coldest winter days when we get zero or below. We don’t like to think about those cold days coming up but now is the time to work on the coop to prepare. We have been keeping chickens for about 8 years now.
Thank you for your comment. That is great information. Yes, now is the time to begin winter preparations so bad weather doesn't catch you by surprise. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Welcome and thank you for being here on the channel!
Is it top ventilation with an uninsulated or insulated ceiling? I am winterizing a coop and was going to insulated and vapour barrier the “ceiling/attic” and add a vent at the top of the wall.
Is this a good idea? Thank you.
@@AndrewMarsch My coop has top ventilation under the eaves with an uninsulated ceiling/roof. The additional measure of insulating will help maintain the temperature in your coop year round. It is an additional expense, however, I have never regretted taking extra measures for the care and comfort of my flock.
@@ChuckTheRoosterwhat climate zone are you in? We are in the Canadian prairies so I’m concerned about leaving the attic area uninsulated. We’ve got a few weeks of +35c and a few weeks of -40c each year and everything in between.
@@AndrewMarsch I'm in grow zone 6a. It sounds like your area experiences much more severe weather than mine does. I support and am happy to hear about your efforts to care for your chickens in your climate and to provide them with excellent accommodations suited to your unique weather conditions. What is right and what is needed will be different for every flock and is influenced by many factors. It sounds like considering your severe temperatures an insulated coop roof is an excellent idea. Keep up the great work and thank you for being here on the channel! The more we all share about the different conditions we encounter when caring for our flocks, the more we can all learn and grow together.
Hello from northern Europe where last year our temps hit minus forty three celsius. Our chickens managed better than I thought they might. They're in an outdoor small barn with top ventilation and I use deep litter. Very informative and good video, thanks for being so down to earth and helpful.
Thank you for your kind feedback and for sharing your experiences. That is way colder than it gets here! Thank you for sharing how you have been successful in those temperatures. Feel free to share additional information about your tips for keeping chickens safe in those temperatures. That is amazing! Hello back from the USA!
Is it top ventilation with an open ceiling or insulated ceiling and vented at the top of the wall? Thank you.
@@AndrewMarsch It is an insulated ceiling with top of the walls ventilation. I make sure there are no draughts lower down. We must keep the roof well covered because of heavy snows. When they begin to thaw too much water would get in that way. Hope that makes sense.
1. Keep it dry
2. Wall mounted coop heater
3. Protect from elements like roof for precipitation and side walls or tarp for drafts but allow ventilation so they don’t die
4. Livestock safe ground cover liter
5. Provide roosts
6. Repair holes
7. Provide warm treats but not moist ones that might freeze on their face
8. Provide wind breaks like temp walls or trees
9. Straw bales -block wind, create perches
10. Warm bricks or blocks by placing in sun
11. Keep coop doors closed to maintain temps in emergency drops in temp
Not exact order
Thank you for your comment and for being here on the channel!
Excellent...love the hot stones idea too...thank-you...!
Thank you for your comment. I hope you will find the tips I share helpful this winter for keeping your flock comfortable, healthy, and productive.
I use straw bslrs, flip hem over if soiled ok much then in Spring hey o into my t praised beds and are see already fettilized. The chickens love it😍😍
PS. I usually put h we m on corner of both and West sides, sometimes south too. Hose are the directions the winds come for my location. .
North, west and south sides
Thank you for sharing your experiences using straw bales in your chicken area. Welcome and thank you for your comment!
Thankyou, such great information ❤
Thank you for your kind words. I'm very glad you found the video helpful!
Corn is a hot grain and can help warm them up when used in moderation
Very true, a little cracked corn before roosting helps the flock stay warm. Yes, you are also right that it should be fed in moderation as to not accidentally cause a nutritional imbalance. For my flock I feed treats 3 times per week. Thank you for being here on the channel!
Thank you for the help😊.
Very happy you found the video helpful!
For emergency cold drops, fill up plastic jugs with hot water, screw on top and place in enclosed coop area. It will raise the temperature several degrees in an enclosed space.
Thank you for sharing your information from your lived experience keeping chickens warm in cold temperatures. The more information we share the more we can learn and grow together!
I use a water filled bottle method…I reuse …simply lemonade… bottles. I create a wall of bottles placed around coop /run structure like a fence border. This seems to help insulate the coop from the outside & chickens are in zero danger from bottles and no poop gets drenched on them either, as they are placed on the outside of structure. It provides some wind protection too.
great idea. I was also thinking of rocks from the top of our wood stove, not too hot, not hot enough to burn.
Great, concise information, thank you🤗🤗
I'm very glad it was helpful to you! Let me know if you have any additional questions. I will do my best to help you find the info you are looking for.
❤
Very interesting, and I will be rewatching this in the future. Lots of helpful information.
I do have one question. I heard someone elae say removing trees helped with predators because predators like perching in the trees and swooping down from their perch to get a chicken or two. Are there maybe other factors relating to prehaps climate or location I might not be thinking about? Thank you in advance.
There are many factors that will impact the type of predator pressure you will experience in your region. Your weather, the wildlife in your area, the infrastructure you provide for your flock, and other factors will all play in a role and the kind of predators you may encounter as a backyard chicken owner. Keep in mind domestic animals like unmonitored dogs can also be a danger to your flock. It has been my lived experience that having trees in my chicken area is good thing and I have seen them use them for both cover and shade. Ultimately you will have to make the determination yourself whether including strategic trees and shrubs in your chicken area is beneficial. I encourage you to watch my video about protecting your backyard from predators. The best defense against predators is stacking multiple methods of protection for your flock and not relying on just one or two prevention measures. I will include the link below. I hope this is helpful!
th-cam.com/video/V4TkIM197c0/w-d-xo.html
@ChuckTheRooster That is very helpful, I appreciate it. I will definitely take the time to watch your video this week. Thank you!
Great tips! Thank you
You are very welcome. Let me know if you have any questions or if there is any topic that would be helpful to you!
We are so blessed with a mild climate in the uk! But we got down to -6 one year!!!!
Very true, you have us beat across the pond with lovely mild weather. Enjoy it for us! Sending you positivity and good energy. Thank you for being here on the channel!
Great info!
Very happy you liked the video. Thank you for your comment!
This good information for beginers
I'm happy you found the information helpful. Let me know if you have any specific questions or if there is a certain topic that would be of interest to you. Thank you for being here on the channel.
Any tips on freezing water?
I did a whole video on this topic. I hope you will find it helpful. Thank you for being hereon the channel.
th-cam.com/video/n0pg-HRXsTY/w-d-xo.html
Your videos are so informative. Thanks.
Thank you for your kind words. I'm driven by the purpose to make this information more accessible to everyone. Thank you for being here on the channel!
Very nice thank you.
You're very welcome. Thank you for being here on the channel!
Also pick cold hardy breeds like you Dominique, Chantecler, Buckeye, Ameraucana, Eater Egger, Derbyshire Red Caps, English Marsh Hens, Silkies, Rose Comb forms of Leghorns-Dorkings-RIR-Minorca and such.
Thank you for your breed recommendations! It sounds like you have a very beautiful and diverse flock.
Thank you
You're very welcome!
good tips, but what is 'dangerously low' temperatures? this will be our first winter with chickens.. 37degrees? 0, etc?
Thank you for your question. Since you and others have asked specific questions about temperatures I will be dedicating my next video to this topic. I will be doing more research this week so I can answer your question thoroughly. Until then here is my complete Winter Care Tips playlist with all of my current winter chicken care content.
th-cam.com/play/PLchMJnb8LlPqzlYqo4N_tC-C_QshDJ_96.html
Mine have survived -30 below zero as long as they stay dry. Please note that if you choose to use a heat source, they get accustomed to it and if it fails during a cold snap, they won’t be conditioned to it so will freeze 🥶
My main problem in winter is eggs freezing before I can gather them!
@@ChuckTheRooster thanks, I look forward to it, our girls are interesting to get to know, they aren't old enough to lay yet, but are as attentive as any 'pet' we've had before. Never raised birds before, so this was a surprise. I look forward to learning more
Good information
Thank you, I am very glad you enjoyed the information in my video. Let me know if there is a specific topic that would be helpful to you!
Oddly, my daughter's name is Terra...and they usually misspell it as "Sierra!" Same last name. we love our chickapoos! e raise in an indoor "pet yard" but are interested in an outdoor build that is safe and comfortable for them.
Our flock serves two purpose, they are both egg layers but also pets and companions. I was very surprised after owning my first chickens what amazing and rewarding pets they are as well as useful, helpful livestock animals. Helpful coop designs and plans can be found in many beginner chicken guide books as well as online and at your local library. Searching for coop design or outdoor chicken coop is a great way to get started. Beginner chicken guide books are also available at farm box stores and they include lots of helpful info including coop and run plans! Our chicken infrastructure is 99% reclaimed and upcycled materials. You don't have to spend a lot of money to build your flock an amazing, fun, functional, and safe space. Thank you for your comment!
Don't use diamateous earth as it will cause respiratory issues, instead use First Saturday Lime, way better for your flock
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I appreciate you sharing what has worked best for you with your flock. There are pros and cons to both lime and DE (food grade diatomaceous earth) and it's important to do appropriate research before using either. I use DE not by itself by as part of mixture in my chicken bath which includes clean fill dirt and clean wood ash from non-treated wood as well as washed course construction sand. I concur it should not be used by itself. I haven't worked with First Saturday lime before, so you've brought something new to my attention! Thank you for giving me a new research topic. I may even do a video about this at some point because it is very interesting to compare the two. I appreciate you and thank you for being here on the channel!
I'm considering putting a slow cooker on the "warm" setting, under the wooden floor if we get to below -10 this winter. we got down to -17 last winter. any one have any thoughts on using a slow cooker for this? It turns itself on and off all night too, so I assume it'll save a bit of energy that way. Maybe even place it in the coop if I have to.
I have not heard of this idea before. Do you know anyone who has used this method successfully? I would not recommend placing a slow cooker in the coop with your chickens or under your coop due to introducing moisture into the air during freezing temperatures which increases the chance of frostbite. If it was in the coop I would also have concerns about the chickens burning themselves on the cooker itself or by interacting with the liquid inside of it. As long as your coop is dry and you have climate hardy breeds most chickens don't require any additional heat source. If you have electric available to your coop and you feel strongly a heat source is needed I would recommend a wall mounted panel heater. They are coop safe and relatively inexpensive. I'm not diminishing your experience if you have used this before successfully and without any incidents. My flock is very active in their coop and I could foresee many possible accidents using the crock pot. I would not recommend the crock pot for safety reasons and would instead acquire the wall mounted panel heater. I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have any additional questions. I'm always happy to share ideas and I respect whatever you feel is best for your flock.
Are pine shavings typically a place where predators like snakes are common as you said straw can be?
Any ground cover litter if it is not properly maintained and changed in a timely manner can become home to unwanted pests and predators. On our homestead I use deep bedding method so the whole bedding pack is removed in entirety in the spring season and moved to the compost to process before going to the garden. Even if you are using spot clean and scoop bedding method, the litter material, whichever kind you have chosen, should be changed in entirety at minimum annually to keep harmful bacteria, pests, and predators from lingering in the litter from season to season. I maintain my coop and run daily and seasonally deep clean my chicken area. I replace all of my ground cover litter annually. With this maintenance schedule I haven't experienced any predators forming nests in the pine shavings. I also deter pests by stacking multiple pest and predator prevention methods. If you haven't already seen it, here is my predator video where I talk about all the ways I know how to keep predators out of your chicken area.
Protect Your Backyard Flock From Predators
th-cam.com/video/V4TkIM197c0/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for your question.
would you say southern Texans wouldn't need to worry about extreme cold for chickens? we rarely have long freezing temps
In order to know whether or not your region experiences harsh winter temperatures, I encourage you to explore what grow zone, or plant hardiness zone, you are in. Your grow zone will not only indicate what garden plants thrive in your area but it will also give you a good idea of seasonal norms and extremes. While your region may be typically mild, many areas are subject to occasional extreme storms and weather patterns. It never hurts to be ready with an extra tarp or a few spare bales of straw, just in case. I have an entire playlist dedicated to everything I know about winter chicken care and what has worked for me in my region. The emergency care tips video is one I made when many southern regions were suddenly subject to an unexpected winter storm. Being weather aware is also another great way to care for your flock. If you are expecting unusual winter weather in your area, prevention can make all the difference when it comes to protecting and caring for your flock. So, even if extreme winter temps are not the norm for your region it never hurts to know what to do in the event you are faced with unexpected winter weather. Here is that playlist, I hope you will find it helpful. Thank you for your question!
Winter Care Tips
th-cam.com/play/PLchMJnb8LlPqzlYqo4N_tC-C_QshDJ_96.html
Great video but turn Down the music. Plz
Thanks for letting me know. I am still pretty new to making videos so I am learning as I go. I have received this suggestion and made adjustments to the music going forward. Thanks for being here on the channel!
im in Canada where temps can hit -30C
What do you reccomend?
Thank you for your question! You have actually helped inspire my next video where I will go into temperature specifics and talk about more winter chicken readiness tips. I will be doing more research this week. I hope my next video will answer your question. In the meantime, here is my winter care tips playlist with all my current winter content.
Winter Care Tips Playlist
th-cam.com/play/PLchMJnb8LlPqzlYqo4N_tC-C_QshDJ_96.html
I am in Minnesota and we can go weeks w below zero temp and serious windshield
I have used headlamps in past but looking for other options do add straw instead of or in addition to shavings
very concerned about it be to cold for them to survive
👏👍👏🐓
What about hot water bottles?
I have read about people using hot water bottles on the chicken community forums I belong to however I personally have never used them. My concern would be the bottles leaking and creating a very dangerous situation for the chickens by introducing moisture into a freezing environment. If you choose to use heated water bottles as your heat source I would be absolutely certain they are leak-free and when placing them in the coop wrap them in old newspaper or scrap cloth to ensure your chicken's don't inadvertently burn themselves on them. The water bottles would need refreshed daily. I hope this is helpful!
How about keeping water from not freezing for them girls
Thank you for your question. If it is at all feasible, I highly recommend investing in a heated livestock bowl. There are many designs to choose from. While there are ways to prevent water from freezing during the winter without electricity, none of them are as reliable or maintenance-free as a heated livestock bowl. If that isn't practical for your situation, you can try using a sturdy black rubber livestock dish inside of an un-used tire with no rim placed in a sunny area. The tire can be lined with pool noodles or spray foam and ping pong balls can be placed on the surface of the water to help break up surface tension and prevents ice from forming longer. Regardless, any electric-free solution will need to be checked multiple times daily to ensure it hasn't frozen. Fresh water is a very important part of maintaining your chicken's health. In severe temperatures, even the most creative electric free solutions will be tested. In my lived experience the heated livestock bowl is the way to go if at all possible.