Winterizing your chicken coup is very important if you want your chickens to stay healthy and not get sick during winter. Now, how much you need to winterize your chicken coup will obviously depend on what type of climate you live in.
If you live in a very mild climate, you may not need to change much at all. But if you live in a harsher and chilly climate, you need to take the necessary steps to make sure your chickens are warm and have a nurturing environment to live in during the winter season.
Chicken
To avoid risking the health of your chickens, here are 5 proven ways to winterize your chicken coup.
1) For birds with feathers, consider the weather (early)
Perhaps you are building your coop during summer. Well, then remember that your chickens want to be happy and healthy during all seasons. And if you live in a climate where the temperature drops below sub zero degrees many months of the year, you need to prepare for that. To do that, build walls that can hold insulation that the birds can't pick or eat away at.
2) Pine shavings stop the bird's complaining.
If you place pine shavings on the floor and shelves where the birds sleep at night, this will help keep them more warm and cozy during the cold season.
3) Chickens need water, not ice.
I know, big surprise huh? Chickens need fresh flowing water, not frosty ice. That means you must make the necessary arrangements in heating so their water supply doesn't freeze during the cold months.
4) "Break the ice" with ceramic lights.
Another very popular proven way to winterize your chicken coup is to use ceramic lamps for extra heat. The unique thing about this type of lamp is that it doesn't produce light, only heat. Keep in mind though that it's important to place these lamps in the right location and at the right height where none of the animals (or you) happen to move it by accident.
5) Who doesn't like a wind stopper?
In the plans for how to build a chicken coop, in some designs you can use shower curtains on the outside of the chicken coup. This effectively works like a wind stopper, keeping cold winds and snow from blowing through. This method may eliminate the need for you to install heating in the coop, but you have to be the judge of that.
Chicken Coup - 5 Proven Ways to Winterize Your Chicken Coup
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