Winter time in the chicken coop too often means a lack of eggs, frozen water, and cold, unhappy hens. But with focus on a few key aspects, your hens will continue laying through much of the winter, although egg processing might decrease a bit. A bit more importantly, you'll rest easy knowing that they are at ease and warm. Here is a practical winter preparation check list:
Lighting. A hen's laying is affected by her pineal gland, which in turn is regulated by lighting. 16 hours of light on a daily basis, supplemented by a 60-watt lucent light bulb or more on a timer, is best for keeping birds on the move-- and laying eggs.
â?¢ Roosts. Naturally, chickens like to roost at night. This is also their way to keep warm: with wings fluffed, they offer specific heat by roosting close to each another. Be sure your hens have convenient roosts with 6-8 inches of roost place for every bird.
â?¢ Hot water. Depending on how freezing it receives where you live, you might must keep the hens' supply of water from cold. Feed boutiques offer heater bases that fit below the common galvanized metal chicken waterers.
â?¢ Submerged litter. The deep litter procedure is low-maintenance, and it maintains roosters warm through winter since the litter and manure slowly compost and release heat into the corral. Just start with a clean coop and around 4 inches of litter (grass, straw, wooden shavings, or a mix) in the summer or earlier fall. Simply add additional litter throughout the season as required to stay the bedding very dry and clean. By winter, the litter has to be around 8 to 10 inches low. It will be composting effectively and producing heat. The roosters' scraping may keep it aerated and turned, especially if you toss scratch crumbs in the mew for them, but you can give it a hand with a pitchfork every once in a while.
http://chickensdirect.co/chicken-coop-in-winter-season/
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