Last Updated on February 16, 2022 by AwesomeChickens
Raising chickens is not a difficult task. They are relatively self-sufficient, and with the proper resources, these birds do a good job taking care of themselves. This includes regulating their body temperature in order to keep themselves warm, even throughout the cold weather and during freezing temperatures. That’s why it isn’t an absolute necessity to have electricity running to your backyard chickens’ winter chicken coop.
You can easily keep chickens warm without electricity through proper insulation, maintaining the coop and keeping it draft-free, and utilizing the sunlight to heat up space while it’s out. These options, along with a few other tricks, can be lifesaving during the cold winter months.
If you are struggling to get your coop winter-ready and aren’t exactly sure how to do it, we are going to use this article as a guide to getting your chicken coop warm for the winter, even when you have no electricity available.
Table of Contents
How Can I Heat My Chicken Coop Without Electricity?
Many people who raise chickens worry once the colder fall and winter months start to set in. The worry is even worse for a chicken owner when you have no power running to the coop to provide any source of heat.
Here is a list of five efficient ways to keep your coops warm without having to run extension cords all around your backyard.
Pack in the Insulation
Keeping your coop warm can easily be done with plenty of insulation packed into the walls. Doing this will trap the heat inside the coop and not allow it to escape. There are many great options to use as insulation if you don’t have the resources to purchase it from the stores. Some of these options include straw, Styrofoam, cardboard, and balled-up newspapers.
Place Straw on the Floor
Layering the floor of your coop with straw will not only help insulate the area but will also keep your chicken’s feet warm.
Likewise, you can use other chicken bedding materials to accomplish the same task.
Maintain Your Coop
Make sure all cracks and holes are sealed before winter starts to set in. It is also necessary to make sure the door that allows your chickens to freely come in and out of the coop closes as tightly as possible, sealing the cracks.
Utilize the Sunlight
If your barn has a window, place a roosting space or nesting box close by. By doing this, you are giving the chickens a nice warm place to go to warm up and relax.
You can also use the sunlight to maintain heat in the coop throughout the night if your flooring is concrete or dark or black color; these items will retain the heat during the day, releasing it at night.
An excellent way to absorb the sun is by placing black curtains on the walls of the coop. Not only will they absorb heat, but they can also act as a barrier to the outside breeze.
Keep Your Chickens Moving
An active chicken is a warm chicken. If you are experiencing bad weather and it is difficult to get your chickens outside to move around, provide them with a chicken swing or other fun activities inside that will encourage them to keep moving about.
Increase Their Food and Water
In order to maintain their body heat during the cold seasons, your chickens are going to need extra calories. Aside from the calories, digestion itself is actually a good way for your chicken to stay warm. Providing plenty of food and water will help get you through the cold.
What temperature is Too Cold for Chickens?
Chickens are known for easy maintenance and roughing it out through some of the coldest winters. These birds are capable of making it through temperatures below zero, although that’s not ideal.
The perfect temperature for a chicken is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but they can withstand coop temperatures that fall to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. However, just because they can survive these frigid conditions does not mean you should let them.
Another very important tip is to never allow your chicken’s water to freeze. Even though they can survive the cold, they cannot survive without fresh water daily. Make sure you have a heated waterer.
How Do You Keep Chicken’s Water From Freezing Without Electricity?
There are multiple ways to keep your chicken water from freezing even if you have no electricity running to the coop.
A Big Black Rubber Tub
Because your chickens do not need water throughout the night, it isn’t necessary to keep their watering container inside the coop. If you place a black rubber tub outside their coop, the black rubber will absorb the heat from the sun, keeping the water from freezing throughout the day.
Throw in Some Pingpong Balls
Place the watering dish where a gentle breeze would have access to it. Then, add three or four balls into the water and let Mother Nature take over. Once the breeze hits the balls, it will cause a small ripple and prevent ice from forming over the water.
Upcycles Old Glass Panel Windows
If you place some glass panel windows around the water dish, the sun will heat up the glass, creating a warm space to keep your water from freezing. This can also be used to give your chickens a little sunroom to warm up during the day.
Add a Hot Saltwater Bottle
Fill a water bottle up with hot salt water and place it into the water dish. Saltwater will stay warmer for much longer and can keep the water in the bowl from freezing. Keep an eye on this during the day. You will want to keep an eye on the bottle in case it breaks. You will have to empty the bowl and re-fill it with fresh, salt-free water.
Summing Things Up
Keeping your chickens warm throughout the winter doesn’t have to be a hassle. There is no reason to add in electrical lines or even move your coop. Following some of the tips and tricks listed above should be everything you need to keep your flock nice and comfy even in the coldest temperatures.
