Chicken Coop Winter Prep

[@annboyle54]

Deep bedding is throwing carbon (pine flakes work) to cover the chicken poop. The poop and pine flakes break down creating heat. The deep bedding method will add to the warmth in the coop. Definitely check it out. It works. It's NOT gross, AND you will get great compost for the garden. (Add this compost to the garden 3 months before you are planning to plant in that garden to ensure it has broken down.)

[@purelychickens]

I am not a fan of deep litter. I like to keep humidity down in the coop and deep litter would be too much for me. I’ve tried it and I’m not a fan but I know people love it so whatever works!

[@DavidRJones82]

Definitely agree with Ann. Deep litter is the way to go in the cold. I have no issue in Colorado in the middle of winter. The compost is a huge plus.

[@minagelina]

​@@DavidRJones82I'm in Illinois and found out we can now keep chickens in our suburb. Im in the research phase. As you probably know, Chicago is known for nasty freezes and a lot of snow. So this has been my concern.

[@tobiasgiacomuzzi9289]

@@purelychickens What metod do you use instead? Thanks!

[@theresaowen2708]

Put salt and water in a closed jar, like a baby food jar, and drop it into the water bowl to keep their water from freezing. Might not work in extreme cold, but saved me many mornings of replacing the water trough.

[@KarynCulpepper]

Use a 16 oz bottle of water with 2 tablespoons of salt put lid back one drop it in the water feeder To help your water not to freeze.

[@sallymarshall8185]

I have to try this.

[@brandicook910]

I have never "winterized" my coop. Our temps are consistently between -15 and 40°F. This year I was thinking about adding the plastic panels just to keep the moisture from the ground for my own ability to walk into the coop... For the last 6 years my chickens haven't even moved into the coop when its raining for a week solid. We had snow storms that kept me awake at night with 3+ feet of snow in a night and the chickens never moved into their coop. The chickens got this weather stuff. It's the humans that are having issues.

[@debbieurias5151]

Yes, I had a fire in the coop. Heat lamp fell because I had a flying chicken in my coop Knocked down the lamp in my show Silkies coop. It smoked them to death. I can not tell you how terrible I felt. I will NEVER have one in any coop. I use heat plate and the deep litter. It was easy and keeps them warm. I live in Northern Idaho. When I feed my chickens I sprinkle bedding over yucky spots when I feed them. Its easy

[@Cindy-qj1fu]

Thanks for this! I'm so sorry about your chickens....I was considering a heat lamp, but now I won't! I'm by Chicago, IL. I'll just wrap them really good! I'm kind of wondering if a heated water bowl could cause a fire-I bought one, but now am second guessing that decision.

[@jennk8759]

I have a metal run, I used clear shower curtains, would highly recommend, cheap and simple😊

[@SgtNana]

I was trying to find an example of shower curtains- How did you hang them?

[@bethvalentin9429]

How do you attach it

[@jennk8759]

Shower rod rings

[@JillRadford-x9y]

I have a round kids swing in ours and they love to swing, I love watching your site and everything you do. I am in Indiana. Thanks for all your tips.

[@tamaraowens7109]

Love your advise on how coop fires can start. I never thought of feather fires or bulb explosion. Very smart advise.

[@fowlplayfunnyfarm1234]

Great comment reminding us chicken folks that a chickens baseline temp is well above us humans. They range in the mid 100’s and we are in the upper 90’s. So it’s easy to project that they might be freezing and uncomfortable based on our own tolerances. We are in south east Kansas. Winter arrived IMMEDIATELY couple days ago. I literally finished the winterizing as the wind changed from south to north! I have found that keeping the runs and walls that face north permanently covered or a wrap I can easily pull back and open in the spring and summer. It’s easy to forget how awful low temps and wind can get in the winter, while suffering in the heat. In the last two years, yes even in southeast Ks we had temps to 20 below F. Great video! The time to winterize really lasts all year! If you know the weather is gonna get ugly…..do the work before then!!! You’ll thank yourself. “Peace be the journey”

[@cuznclive2236]

Heat lamps and heat mats are both fire starters! As an ex-volunteer firefighter and electrician, I responded to too many fires, and/or was hired to rewire many houses, barns, coops, etc. for my comfort because of the fires they start. Southern VT (5a), new sub, and I appreciate your ideas. I continue flip-flopping between chickens and rabbits because we live in a rural HOA with rules (although lax) that prohibit raising livestock; rabbits are much quieter than chickens, but they don't lay eggs... unless it's a Cadbury rabbit. Be well, stay safe, and thank you!

[@purelychickens]

Thanks for sharing!

[@j.b.4340]

@9:43, I used a red heat bulb for my quail pen. Kept the bulb outside. It charred an area of the door, even though it was not mounted closely. It easily could’ve started a fire, and I’m really not sure why it didn’t.

[@laurenbrown7472]

Hi Nikki we have over 70 chickens, 25 ducks and 1 turkey and we are not ready to go outside in 1 degree weather to do chores but this video is really helpful I love everyone of my animals so much and winter is usually a battle for us just because of the freezing and coldness but we always do it! Thank you for this video and have an amazing rest of your day/night!❤️

[@ysamgreen]

NIKKIIIIII!!!! I just bought a farm in NY after living in NYC 37years and am refurbishing the coop to get it ready for chickens. You have been sooooo helpful! Thank you girl!

[@purelychickens]

I’m so glad!!!

[@shikhalemuel6802]

I checked out several chicken farms that deep litter and it is NOT for me. I did not notice any more warmth than a thick layer of clean bedding. Also, no matter how much bedding they covered the poop with, there is still an ammonia odor.

[@leesmith5419]

I just found your channel great information so I went ahead and subscribed to your channel

[@suewiley1422]

So much good info, especially since this is our first winter with chickens. Glad you're on KZbin again.

[@lyndseyuzl8232]

I am so excited for your KZbin channel!

[@margaretward7992]

Hi Nikki. I loved this video. Thank you I am a new chicken keeper and this has helped. Thanks again!!!!

[@stephaniek3533]

Thank you! I’m in Colorado and this is my first winter with chickens, this video is so helpful! Especially because my chickens are still very young, the oldest 2 are only 12 weeks old.

[@mickimarchbank1411]

What a timely video! Thank you for all of the great info. I am in Ohio as well and this will be my first winter with chickens.

[@betsyevans1367]

Thank you! Great source of consolidated winter info!

[@petitemaam]

I'm in texas and I do deep litter method. It's easy. They're fine.

[@kopenhagenkid]

Great video Nikki

[@hugeslacker]

This is my first winter with chickens and I am in long isalnd, where we could have a really warm winter, or really long stretches of 0 degrees. So my plan was to use a radiant heater panel in the coop. Your entertainment ideas are good! I'm planning to build more roosts and give them stuff to do in the run for when its too cold/snowy for them to want to go out into the yard

[@melissaconfer5138]

I follow you on Instagram and just found your KZbin! So excited!

[@KwajGecko]

So glad I found your channel. I’m in NJ, so we probably have close to the same winters. First time chicken owner and thank you for the winter advice. 😊

[@sallymarshall8185]

There are really cool clear-ish tarps on Amazon. It comes in different sizes. I’m trying them this winter to see how well they work and how long they last. So far I’m liking them.

[@janehale8500]

So happy you started a KZbin channel, yay!

[@elainedunham]

Thank you Nikki! We will be winterizing our coop soon! Very helpful 🐓

[@Kim-th8xe]

Thanks so much for all this. We were about to spend money on heaters lol... I'm so happy for the alternatives.

[@whitneyhoffman5749]

Excited your doing KZbin!

[@foxfireforest]

Hey Nikki! I recognized your face from TikTok! We have been following you for a while so it’s super cool to see you making long form content now! We have 8 chickens in Alaska and this is our first year so we are learning lots! Hope you and your fam are well! 👋

[@purelychickens]

Thanks for following along!!

[@kellykilleen6191]

Great video, so helpful 👏 😀

[@johnaustin8194]

Great video, I got a lot from this. thank you !!

[@jdm440]

I found your info so useful. Thx for sharing your knowledge.

[@ahmedodeh.h2344]

Great job Nikki 👏 keep going we wait for more videos 📹.....

[@hollytownson726]

I just started winterize my chicken and ducks coop I used tarp with The ties that have balls ties are great

[@davidsto9064]

Some pretty cool ideas. Thank you so much. A few I heard before but a lot of new stuff for me. Thank you.

[@steffiehamski5661]

As always-great content and presentation. Thanks!

[@SarahS1214]

Thank you for the tips. I was wondering what to do in the winter. Here in SD we get windchills to -40 when the wind blows or with a blizzard. Would like to check out solar options.

[@dzermyvlog]

i love your lens and the quality of the video 🌹

[@cindy-dwellings-theheartof7858]

Always such great and helpful tips!

[@kami6222]

I am in Ohio as well, So I subscribed. I am a chicken momma as well.

[@purelychickens]

Hello 👋

[@matthewpetersen4417]

I have 4 chickens - in a 21sqft coop in a 6x10 covered run. I think next spring I'm adding some heavy layers. I have a barn run flock, with one is a special bantam shorty, but beautiful bird. I am thinking of insulating and caulking most cracks in the coop.

[@rdwest7922]

Yay!! So happy for you!

[@adellejanewerder1423]

Thanks for sharing, Nikki. I am looking at getting chickens soon. We live in New Zealand so don't get as cold as you guys do in the USA but still loved all the great tips.

[@purelychickens]

I bet it’s beautiful there!

[@adellejanewerder1423]

@@purelychickens it is spring time here and everything is blooming so lovely 😍

[@chihuahuamartin24]

I’m in North Carolina. It gets cold and can rain and so far I’ve put the wavy plastic sheets of plastic around the sides, and on the north side of the run I have two sections , one above the other. I have people tell me they will be fine and don’t need a heat source, but I definitely worry too much. Last winter we used a heat lamp and it was hung at the very top or the run which is 6 feet high so the heat wasn’t near the chickens and in all honesty I literally couldn’t feel the heat unless I had my hand right in front of it… I’m about to go into our 2nd winter and I’m just hoping I’ve done the right things for them. I probably worry too much. The run is 6 feet tall and the four sides are only 8 foot square. My husband built a house which is like a little house but it’s only about 4’X4’ and maybe 12’ tall. I have things I want to change out but it can get pricey. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!

[@ingahuff4160]

Thanks great information. I am building a larger coop right now from scratch and I am insulating my walls now. I have a 4x6 coop with external nesting boxes not included in that size.lean to roof style is what I'm leaning 😂to using 1- 12x18 exhaust vent at top of each side wall for Ventilation. Is that enough?

[@suziehartwright]

Thank you Nikki! I love watching your videos, I always learn something new. 😉

[@Greens5511]

Very good ideas!

[@jenmorricone4014]

Doesn't she have the most beautiful green eyes? Never seen anything like that!

[@chihuahuamartin24]

Yes!!!

[@barbarahoover3941]

Very helpful thank you

[@raymamartin2934]

Love your channel. I live in NB Canada . It is good to hear your info as Iam a new chicken keeper

[@breizhwho7696]

This is very helpful thank you !!!

[@jenhartman5712]

Good info & tips, thx ☺️

[@lucilledavis1478]

Thank you for this information very helpful. I am a new chicken mom . This is the first winter for my 8 month old chickens I have five cold hardy chickens .My husband built a nice coop with a roof .I do have a question my run is dirt and I put Koop clean it’s a straw mixture. It’s good but expensive and they kick it out through the wire fencing so not a lot left . With the winter coming I live in pa and would like something in the run to keep them warmer . I researched straw and I read it may cause moisture and mites and mold. I don’t know if they mean you let it go and that’s what happens. I am willing to clean it as often as I should . I am not interested in sand because it’s cold and can freeze. Is wood chips a good option ? Is it hard on their feet? If you know what type that would be wonderful. I love the Christmas tree idea . ❤

[@karenthelen7492]

Hi! I loved your video! Very informative. Can you please share with me where do I find that water heater that you showed? The link to amazon in your description box is not working. Thank you in advance!

[@meaganslife]

How can I keep the inside of my coop (ventilated) without any drafts? I know the question may be silly. I have 2 rectangular holes up top inside the coop. Both at opposite sides of each other so I can get cross ventilating. Should I leave these open during winter or cover them up?

[@Iris_Transforms_Healing]

Thanks❤

[@urbangardeningandchickenke1018]

Please make more videos

[@judyrogers288]

I have sand on the floor of my run. Should I put hay or other bedding down on top of the sand for warmth?

[@joyfisher8008]

You mentioned putting a cream on their wattle & combs to protect them. How did you train your chickens to accept this process

[@aliciaspears7847]

This is an excellent question. I recently got chickens and they are not used to being handled !

[@urbangardeningandchickenke1018]

Excellent tips 👍

[@jessicaschade2964]

Hot diggity, you posted a video!

[@The.backyard.chicken]

When winterizing the run, do you leave any openings for ventilation? I heard if you don’t, the chickens can die

[@annaycox4973]

This is my first time having chickens and I love your coop. I got several ideas on how to make mine. My question is where did you get the shovel for poop ?

[@purelychickens]

amzn.to/3FAcJnp This one is my favorite!

[@AnneluvsKatz]

Hi Nikki! So excited to find your channel! Couple questions… 1- what kind of chicken is that at 12:31 in your video.. she’s so pretty! 2. If you only use a heat source on super cold occasions and then the temps come back to above 30°, you don’t have to continue the heat. They won’t become dependent on it when used that way will they. Say we have a cold snap for a week? Thanks for the good info…. PS no chickens yet. Been researching for 2 yrs. They’re coming in July! Beyond excited!

[@purelychickens]

That’s a dark Brahma :) hope your chickening is going well! The sweeter heater just keeps them from getting frost bite by warming the air above them. It’s not like a heat lamp that heats the whole area

[@carriekimble2994]

your coup is cute!

[@balathambypillai4278]

Thanks and very interestin

[@terrencegibbons3351]

Nice

[@alyssa.017]

How do you do the grass what seeds do you use?

[@keithd4324]

How do you cut the plastic panels?

[@nailog2062]

please what’s the name of plastic panels

[@theresacreager9794]

Where did you get your scoop

[@aaronwilliamson4045]

Pretty girl with useful information... One point....If you lose electricity to your house you are going to get cold if you use a heat pump or other electric type heat, but folks don't let that discourage them from using electric heat in their homes.

[@ericashipp8010]

Yes but if the heat suddenly goes out in a chicken coop they will be dead by the time you check in the morning

[@zoette87]

Hi h, I just read you are coming out with a book about chickens in May🙌🏻🙌🏻 I wanted to know if it has pictures and does it mentioned all this information you mentioned in this video, including frost bite creme etc. I can’t wait to grab it, I have leant so much from you! You’re awesome!!!

[@purelychickens]

My book is full of pictures and info! My Instagram is very detailed as well

[@joannakjorstad8116]

I don’t see a link for the wiggle wire?

[@doriscox8230]

Hi my name is Doris I made a chicken Swing.

[@wandawilliams2397]

You didn’t mention you book. I found you on my free preview book. I did buy yours

[@purelychickens]

I appreciate that! This video was made before my book was done!

[@deborahrothermund3573]

How did you secure the panels on the sides?

[@purelychickens]

We use something called wiggle wire to hold the plastic down. The corrugated plastic panels we used screws and washers

[@lifegrip]

Why don’t you have any barred rocks? They’re my favorite.

[@purelychickens]

Just never got any not sure why lol

[@SgtNana]

What do you use on your $h!% Shelf? Is that sand?

[@Bikesandbmxgaming]

Hey how you teacher,make kids birthday cakes

[@mattmatteguen3426]

😍🤩😍

[@chihuahuamartin24]

That’s super scary.

[@FlinFarmer]

If you have no snow your not winter.thumbs down

[@purelychickens]

We get plenty of snow