You can also look at automatic feeders so that your hens always have a reliable supply of feed. It’s a good idea to invest in fount heaters and other heating solutions to ensure that your chickens’ water supply doesn’t freeze over. Once the coop itself is ready for winter, it’s time to make sure all your equipment is, too. More importantly, proper ventilation helps prevent moisture issues, such as mold growth or the spread of disease. This will keep the coop dry and the air fresh. ![]() If you use more solid insulation solutions, such as plexiglass, make sure you leave small openings at the top of the coop to allow a breeze. Ventilation is just as important as insulation-no one wants excess humidity or musty air inside their home! Hardware cloth is a great tool for covering windows or fencing while still letting air flow into the coop or run. LEAVE ROOM FOR VENTILATIONĪs you insulate your coop, remember that you don’t want to block airflow completely. This will help eliminate drafts, keep out snow and ice, and ensure your chickens have a warm place to sleep and hang out even during extremely cold days. If your coop or run has a lot of wire fencing, try fitting plexiglass over the openings to give your birds a little more protection from the cold. You can use blankets or hardware cloth to cover openings and weak points. Give your flock plenty of insulation to keep its home cozy through the season. Speaking of insulation, make sure your coop is ready to face the harsh winds and freezing temperatures of winter. This process creates an extra layer of insulation for your birds while also reducing the amount of work you have to do to keep the coop warm and clean over the winter. Instead of frequently replacing the bedding in your coop, simply stir it on a regular basis and add fresh bedding to the top. Many chicken owners use the deep litter method to maintain their flock’s bedding, especially in the winter. A thick layer of straw, wood shavings, or other materials will help insulate the floor of your coop and keep the interior warm throughout the winter. You should give your flock a heavy layer of bedding in the winter. These repairs will also keep your coop insulated throughout the season. Even if a predator can’t get in, little cracks and flaws in these areas can lead to a draft or snow getting into your coop and making your chickens’ home cold and miserable. Pay special attention to the roof and seams of your coop. It’s a good idea to make any repairs now while the weather is still nice. Look for cracks in the walls or floor or holes that a mouse or other pest could get through. MAKE ANY NECESSARY REPAIRSĪs you’re cleaning and preparing your coop, keep an eye out for any repairs you might need to make. ![]() ![]() It’s a good idea to do all of this in the fall when the weather is still decent so that you avoid any risk of water freezing in the coop as you clean. Also, take the time to clean out feeders, waterers, and nesting boxes so that all your equipment is fresh and ready for the winter. Scrub down everything, and let it dry thoroughly. Scrape away any tough spots on the floor, walls, roosts, or other nooks and crannies of your coop. Remove all the bedding, and sweep out any leftover debris from the coop and run. An occasional deep cleaning is a good idea no matter what time of year it is, but in the fall, it allows you to create a fresh start for your coop. The first step of your winterizing process should be to clean out your coop completely. As you prepare your property for the coming season, make sure you take care of your flock with these tips for winterizing your chicken coop. Your chicken coop, run, and the yard where your birds roam should be as secure and comfortable as possible by the time the cold temperatures set in. While chickens are hardy creatures that do a good job of regulating their temperature-even in the cold-there’s still a lot you can do to make the season easier for them. You should do the same for your backyard flock. When winter comes around, a homeowner needs to make sure everything in their house and yard is ready for the freezing temperatures and potential snowfall.
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