When the Clarence Day develop unretentive and fall ’s fresh entry move around leaves colourful and crisp , dipping temperature think it ’s clip to think about preparing your chicken coop for the wintertime . Because most backyard chicken live on outside , reveal to the component ’ coolheaded frisson , you need to provide a clean , cozy and muster - detached coop for them .
Your specific chore — and when you do them — will vary , depend on where you live . In the Pacific Northwest , for example , temperatures seldom pass below 20 degrees F , so chicken steward have no pauperism to attract out the water - bucket deicer or heat lamp . In the chilly Midwest , however , where wintertime temps on a regular basis plunge into negative dactyl , more sophisticated chicken - warming manoeuvre are necessary to prevent cold - atmospheric condition menace , such as comb or wattle frostbite .
No matter where you call home , you will have chores that postulate to be done . If possible , choose a warm , readable - sky day to accomplish the undertaking outlined below . well-chosen wintertime prepping !
1 . Move and Clean FurnitureBefore you dive into bedding cleanup position , first absent all your chicken coop ’s movable furniture and accessories and stow them where you’re able to scrub them later . These pieces include thing like your flock ’s feeding and watering bowls , grit holder , roost , nesting boxesand dust - bathroom box . They ’ll likely be soiled and stain and in want of some good elbow grease .
To clean them , hose down surfaces and use a sharp - edged scraper to remove stuck - on droppings . Then , using steel wool or a charge card tummy scrubbing brush and some commercial or homemade cleaner ( like a 50/50 vinegar - to - water result ) , houseclean the accessories and inspect them to be certain they ’re in good workings order . Rinse well , leave them in the Lord’s Day to dry , and deliver them to the henhouse when your other task are terminated .
2 . Clean BeddingAlthough manure might ignite up your chicken henhouse , contrive to perform a good coop cleanout before stale temperatures settle . Unlike during spring cleanup , when you soundly remove all the volaille manure and scour the chicken coop from cupola to floor board , your fall chores wo n’t be quite so all - cover . or else , your goal will be to refresh up what ’s there . Plan to get rid of dampish bedding around doorways and body of water dishes , loosen the bedding material to advertise moisture - wicking airflow , and append another clean level of bedding on top .
Gather your cleanup position supply , let in a barrow or bucket , a trowel or digger , a pitchfork and some overbold litter . Coax the ladies out of their hencoop and into their run with a lilliputian dent . Using your trowel or shovel , scoop damp bedding into the wheelbarrow and enthrall it to your compost galvanic pile . Next , move your pitchfork or rake through the existing litter , activate it . Finally , discard some fresh , wimp - safe wood shaving or hay on top , freshening the coop and engross lingering smell .
3 . execute a Visual InspectionTo ensure your coop will exist the wintertime current of air and precipitation , visually audit the structure for overall unity . Look at the coop ’s base , leg and ramp . Are they solid and secure ? Check the edifice ’s interior and exterior for loose boards , start nails and large muster holes , quicken them as necessary . Examine the coop ’s room access , including the nest - box doors and hatch . Are the hinges screw in blotto ? Do your hooks and locks work decently ? If not , now ’s the time to fix them .
Another important task to turn back off before godforsaken weather begins : Make certain your coop ’s cap is sound- and water - close . If your roof has shingle , check for drop tiles and supplant them . If you have a plyboard or metal cap , check that it ’s securely nail down . clear out gutters , if need be . And if you have a tarp covering your cage or run , audit it for split or trap and lay down a new one , if necessary .
4 . find out for VarmintsWhile you ’re stop your coop ’s interior and exterior , you should also look for signs of marauder and shore up up any varment protection you have . If you see blackleg or mole holes around your henhouse , put some hardware cloth across the opening move and cover it with dirt . If you ’re getting frequent flybys from sphere raptors , view deterring them with some in high spirits - strung wire adorned with reflective tape or honest-to-god compact disc or DVDs .
At this point , you should also go over the fencing material around your wimp pace . Ideally , your close - mesh fencing ’s base should be inhume , with the bottom 6 to 12 column inch bend outward to deter diggers . It should also have no hole or openings for easy predator entry . Though many predator will hunker down for the winter , be prepared for hungry marauds all yearlong .
5 . Batten the HatchesVents and hachure along a hencoop ’s ceiling and floorboards assist with airflow during the quick summer month , expunge humid air and toxic ammonia from the henhouse . Although proper flow of air is vital during the cooler months , too , you should design to close additional vents , particularly those that create draft . When they blow through , the drafts and breeze can replace the atmosphere next to a hen ’s warm eubstance with cool air , causing it to chill .
When ventilating your coop during the wintertime , shoot for a humidness level between 40 and 60 percentage . Any more than that , and the moisture in the coop could actually be considered a wellness jeopardy because a emcee of viruses and bacteria thrive in moist air .
6 . Connect the CoopYour Gallus gallus wo n’t in all probability need an net connexion in their coop . However , they may need accession to electricity and running piddle , particularly in areas that douse into the low temperatures . electrical energy will keep a hotness lamp run away and a deicer operating , while running water will make fill water bowls easy .
To cook your coop ’s electricity and plumbing for the winter , first check your connections . Make certain your electric outlet are working properly , and your gadget ’ wire and chaw are n’t scratch or tire . discipline your tube fittings and hosepipe connections , too , ensure there are no leaks in your lines . And if you live in a frost - prone area , now ’s the time to isolate your exposed pipes .
After you complete this list of canonic winterizing chores , you ’ll be well on your direction to maintaining a cozy and comfortable blank space for your shuttle throughout the wintertime months . It takes some planning and clock time , but it ’s deserving it for your chicken ’ health and felicity .
This clause earlier appeared in the Fall 2011 issue ofChickens .
