Over-Wintering Chickens
Chickens need a little extra care to survive cold weather. Their coop needs to be waterproof but still provide some ventilation. A heat lamp will help keep them warm, and can increase their egg production. As always, they need good food and fresh water, and the water needs to be kept from freezing. We have a small chicken coop, about 4 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet tall. There’s a hole in the floor just big enough for a chicken to access the ramp that leads down into the enclosed area under the coop and the attached chicken run. There is a wire covered vent near the roof on the side opposite the hole in the floor. During the night, the hole is covered with a heavy piece of wood to keep out predators and also to help the hens stay warm. Pine shavings cover the floor and line the nest (the plastic basket to the left of the door). During the colder months, we add a little warmth to the hen house with two heat lamps placed inside the coop just below the ...