Chicken Coop Winter Prep

Follow along as I chat about how I prepare my chicken coop and run for winter! Share your thoughts and helpful tips in the comments.
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[@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.

[@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!

[@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!❤️

[@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.

[@jenmorricone4014]

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

[@chihuahuamartin24]

Yes!!!

[@margaretward7992]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@melissaconfer5138]

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

[@leesmith5419]

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

[@foxfireforestalaska]

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!!

[@jdm440]

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

[@barbarahoover3941]

Very helpful thank you

[@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?

[@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?

[@kami6222]

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

[@purelychickens]

Hello 👋

[@urbangardeningandchickenke1018]

Please make more videos

[@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”

[@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. 😊

[@tamaraowens7109]

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

[@suewiley1422]

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

[@petitemaam]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@jessicaschade2964]

Hot diggity, you posted a video!

[@lyndseyuzl8232]

I am so excited for your KZbin channel!

[@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!!!

[@urbangardeningandchickenke1018]

Excellent tips 👍

[@nailog2062]

please what’s the name of plastic panels

[@joannakjorstad8116]

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

[@Kim-th8xe]

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

[@janehale8500]

So happy you started a KZbin channel, yay!

[@betsyevans1367]

Thank you! Great source of consolidated winter info!

[@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!

[@kellykilleen6191]

Great video, so helpful 👏 😀

[@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!

[@lifegrip]

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

[@purelychickens]

Just never got any not sure why lol

[@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?

[@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

[@ahmedodeh.h2344]

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

[@kopenhagenkid]

Great video Nikki

[@elainedunham]

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

[@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 !

[@The.backyard.chicken]

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

[@theresacreager9794]

Where did you get your scoop

[@whitneyhoffman5749]

Excited your doing KZbin!

[@doriscox8230]

Hi my name is Doris I made a chicken Swing.

[@SgtNana]

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

[@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 😍

[@carriekimble2994]

your coup is cute!

[@jenhartman5712]

Good info & tips, thx ☺️

[@davidsto9064]

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

[@raymamartin2934]

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

[@hollytownson726]

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

[@rdwest7922]

Yay!! So happy for you!

[@suziehartwright]

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

[@FlinFarmer]

If you have no snow your not winter.thumbs down

[@purelychickens]

We get plenty of snow

[@steffiehamski5661]

As always-great content and presentation. Thanks!

[@Iris_Transforms_Healing]

Thanks❤

[@terrencegibbons3351]

Nice

[@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

[@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

[@Bikesandbmxgaming]

Hey how you teacher,make kids birthday cakes

[@breizhwho7696]

This is very helpful thank you !!!

[@cindy-dwellings-theheartof7858]

Always such great and helpful tips!

[@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

[@alyssa.017]

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

[@mattmatteguen3426]

😍🤩😍

[@balathambypillai4278]

Thanks and very interestin

[@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

[@chihuahuamartin24]

That’s super scary.

[@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.