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Chicken Supports Insights - Episode 43: The Winter-Prep Signals Your Coop Is Giving You · Valley Hatchery Podcast

• 0:09
  Nikki: Hi everyone, welcome back to the Chicken Insights podcast.
• 0:12
  Nikki: I'm Nikki and I'm joined with Tina today.
• 0:15
  Nikki: And today we are talking about the winter prep signals your coop is giving you, especially when it comes to ventilation, draft, and moisture.
• 0:23
  Tina: Yes, Nikki.
• 0:23
  Tina: And as the weather starts getting cooler, it's easy to think winter preparation just means closing things up and keeping the cold air out.
• 0:31
  Tina: But there are some important things to look at for inside the coop before you can make those changes.
• 0:37
  Nikki: Exactly.
• 0:38
  Nikki: So today we're going to talk about what flock owners should actually be watching for and how to make intentional adjustments before the cool sets in.
• 0:46
  Nikki: All right.
• 0:47
  Nikki: Let's get started.
• 0:48
  Nikki: All right.
• 0:48
  Nikki: So, Tina, when you're getting a coop ready for colder weather, what are some of the first signs that you may have a draft problem?
• 0:56
  Tina: Yeah, well, that's exactly it.
• 0:57
  Tina: So as colder weather approaches, one of the first things is to check if the coop is actually being exposed to a draft.
• 1:04
  Tina: A draft isn't simply cold air being present in the coop.
• 1:07
  Tina: Kind of basic terms, it means unwanted air is moving directly across the birds themselves, especially where they sleep or spend a lot of time.
• 1:16
  Tina: So you may notice feathers moving slightly, like almost in a breeze, while the chickens are on the roost, or feel a steady stream of cool air coming through a crack, or finding that one section feels noticeably cooler or even breezier or windier than others.
• 1:34
  Tina: Walk through the coop and check around doors and windows and wall seams, vents, any gaps where outside air could be entering.
• 1:42
  Tina: But don't assume that every opening needs to be sealed.
• 1:46
  Tina: A coop still needs ventilation during the winter to allow moisture and stale air to escape.
• 1:52
  Tina: So you don't want to like really like forten knox it and just completely close it up.
• 1:57
  Tina: The important thing is to pay attention to where the air is actually moving in near the roosts and feel for airflow at the bird's level.
• 2:05
  Tina: If cold air is blowing directly across them, that's an area you may want to address.
• 2:10
  Tina: But before making like major winter changes, observe the flock and their environment.
• 2:15
  Tina: Look at where they choose to roost, how comfortable they appear, where cold air is entering.
• 2:21
  Tina: Winter preparation is about controlling harmful drafts while still maintaining healthy ventilation, not simply sealing the coop as tight as possible.
• 2:31
  Nikki: Right.
• 2:31
  Nikki: And that's an important distinction.
• 2:33
  Nikki: You're looking for a problem with direct airflow, not just trying to eliminate the airflow.
• 2:38
  Nikki: And you're kind of just watching what's happening inside the coop, kind of like what you said.
• 2:42
  Tina: Right.
• 2:42
  Tina: Absolutely.
• 2:43
  Tina: And Nikki, how can a flock owner tell the difference between a draft problem and the ventilation in their coop actually needs?
• 2:52
  Nikki: Well, I think this is where people get a little confused.
• 2:54
  Nikki: Cold weather doesn't automatically mean you want to completely close off coop, kind of like what we were saying a bit ago.
• 3:00
  Nikki: You still need to pay attention to airflow and what's happening inside.
• 3:04
  Nikki: One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from flock owners, especially when the weather turns cold, is that ventilation and draft are the same thing.
• 3:12
  Nikki: They're not.
• 3:13
  Nikki: As you explained, a draft is the uncontrolled air movement directly on the birds in in cold weather, that can be a problem.
• 3:19
  Nikki: Where ventilation, it's more about allowing the fresh air to circulate through the coop and allowing moisture, humidity, ammonia, and stale air to escape.
• 3:28
  Nikki: Even during cold weather, chickens still produce that moisture just by breathing.
• 3:32
  Nikki: Right.
• 3:32
  Nikki: And that additional moisture also comes from their droppings and water is in condensation.
• 3:37
  Nikki: If a coop is completely closed up to keep the cold out, you can actually create a different set of concerns.
• 3:43
  Nikki: Excess moisture can contribute to condensation, damp bedding, ammonia buildup, and an unhealthy environment for Laflock.
• 3:50
  Nikki: So rather than looking at the outdoor temperature and thinking it's cold, I need to close everything, we need to encourage the flock owners to actually inspect the coop.
• 3:58
  Nikki: Like we were saying.
• 3:59
  Nikki: Look at the birds, check the bedding, look for condensation, feel whether the air is stale, and pay attention to any ammonia smell.
• 4:06
  Nikki: Also look at where your ventilation openings are.
• 4:09
  Nikki: The goal isn't to make the coop warm at all costs, it's to create that balanced environment, one that protects the block from harsh traps while still providing enough airflow to keep the air clean and the coop dry.
• 4:20
  Nikki: So when temperatures drop, don't just close everything up.
• 4:22
  Nikki: Take a look at what the coop is actually telling you.
• 4:25
  Nikki: Your flock bedding and the overall condition of the coop can give you much better information than the temperature outside.
• 4:31
  Tina: Absolutely.
• 4:31
  Tina: I mean, just taking that moment like you had mentioned and I mentioned earlier as well, and be in their environment for a moment.
• 4:38
  Tina: Experience what they experience and don't just do that once a day.
• 4:40
  Tina: Go in at night too, because when they're roosting, there's different so spending those few minutes experiencing what they're experiencing.
• 4:46
  Tina: Kneel down if you have to to their level and feel what you're feeling.
• 4:50
  Tina: It's it really does tell you so, so much.
• 4:53
  Tina: You don't have to guess.
• 4:54
  Tina: Absolutely.
• 4:54
  Tina: Great pointer.
• 4:55
  Tina: Absolutely.
• 4:56
  Nikki: And what signals should flock owners actually watch for once the temperatures start to drop?
• 5:02
  Tina: Yeah, Nikki.
• 5:03
  Tina: So as temperatures start to drop, your coop can give you some pretty clear signals about whether the changes are needed or not.
• 5:11
  Tina: Start by paying attention to where the cold is actually, you know, moving.
• 5:15
  Tina: So, like I said, take those moments to just stand there and observe.
• 5:18
  Tina: Yep.
• 5:19
  Tina: Check the roosting area, nesting boxes, places where the birds spend the most time.
• 5:23
  Tina: And then if you feel the air flowing directly across them, especially while they're roosting at night, that's a draft worth addressing, I think.
• 5:32
  Tina: And then, like you mentioned, moisture is another important clue.
• 5:36
  Tina: Look for condensations if you're using windows and things like that, damp walls, damp bedding, like you mentioned, wet spots, anything like that.
• 5:44
  Tina: Keeping birds dry and draft-free is so important in the wintertime.
• 5:49
  Tina: And if you can do those two things, you've done most of your job.
• 5:52
  Tina: So if a coop feels humid or smells unusually strong, that's going to tell you something as well, of course.
• 5:58
  Tina: Right.
• 5:58
  Tina: Chickens naturally produce moisture, like you mentioned, through breathing and dropping.
• 6:02
  Tina: So even during cold weather, that moisture still needs a way to escape.
• 6:07
  Tina: If a coop is sealed up too tightly, it's just going to create problems, like you mentioned.
• 6:11
  Tina: The key is regular observation.
• 6:14
  Tina: So don't wait until you have soaked bedding, heavy condensation, or, you know, the birds are obviously uncomfortable before checking.
• 6:21
  Tina: And check more than once in the season.
• 6:23
  Tina: Don't assume at the beginning of the season you have it well.
• 6:26
  Tina: You know, things can change and temperatures and all of that adjust and fluctuate.
• 6:30
  Tina: So take a few minutes during the normal flock routine to notice how the coop feels and how your chickens are behaving.
• 6:37
  Tina: That's so important to watch them.
• 6:39
  Tina: And remember, there isn't one perfect winter setup that's like perfect for everybody.
• 6:44
  Tina: Your coop design, your weather, the number of birds, the ventilation, your area, you know, all of that is different from others.
• 6:52
  Tina: And instead of simply copying what someone else does, let your own coop and your own flock tell you what needs adjusting.
• 6:59
  Nikki: Exactly.
• 7:00
  Nikki: You're using observation and looking at the conditions inside the coop to really, as part of your winter prep routine.
• 7:07
  Nikki: Right.
• 7:08
  Nikki: Absolutely.
• 7:09
  Tina: So, Nikki, if someone hasn't prepared their coop for winter yet, where should they start?
• 7:14
  Nikki: Again, we've said it time and time again.
• 7:16
  Nikki: I'd start with a really simple inspection.
• 7:19
  Nikki: Walk around the coop, look at where the air is coming in, check the ventilation, and pay attention to moisture.
• 7:25
  Nikki: Once you know what you're dealing with, you can decide what actually needs to change.
• 7:29
  Nikki: Take a few minutes to really look at the environment your flock is living in.
• 7:33
  Nikki: As you said, kind of check the doors, the windows, corners, and any gaps where any unwanted draught could be coming through.
• 7:39
  Nikki: At the same time, make sure you're not closing everything up so tightly that you eliminate the ventilation your chickens don't need during that cold weather.
• 7:46
  Nikki: And then pay close attention to moisture too.
• 7:49
  Nikki: Look for damp bedding, that condensation, strong ammonia smells, or areas that stay wet.
• 7:55
  Nikki: Those can tell you there's an environmental issue that needs to be addressed before the winter conditions become more challenging.
• 8:01
  Nikki: Think about where your birds spend most of the time.
• 8:04
  Nikki: Look at the location of their wrists and make sure they aren't sitting directly in the path of a cold draft.
• 8:09
  Nikki: Your flock's actual environment should guide the changes you make.
• 8:12
  Nikki: I'd also encourage people not to wait until the first really cold night to do this inspection.
• 8:17
  Nikki: Preparing ahead of time gives you an opportunity to make small practical adjustments before cold, wind, and moisture becomes a problem.
• 8:24
  Nikki: Winter preparation really shouldn't be about following a one-size-fits-all checklist.
• 8:28
  Nikki: Every coop and every flock is going to be a little different.
• 8:31
  Nikki: The goal is to intentionally create an environment that is dry, appropriately ventilated, and protected from direct draught.
• 8:38
  Nikki: So inspect first, identify what your flock actually needs, and then make specific adjustments based on what you find.
• 8:45
  Tina: Yeah, I mean, breaking it down that way makes it feel a lot more manageable.
• 8:50
  Nikki: Before we continue, here's a quick message from Valley Hatchery.
• 8:56
  Cortney: Hey, this is Cortney, Customer Support Manager here at Valley Hatchery.
• 9:00
  Cortney: Before we get back to the episode, I have a quick update for anyone already planning their 2027 flock.
• 9:06
  Cortney: Our 2027 Early Reservations waiting list is now open.
• 9:10
  Cortney: By joining the waiting list, you'll be among the first to know when 2027 early reservations open in October.
• 9:17
  Cortney: You'll also have the opportunity to lock in this year's pricing, get priority reservation dates, and have first pick of available breeds.
• 9:25
  Cortney: And just to be clear, this is not a pre-order.
• 9:28
  Cortney: It's simply a way to get ahead and be ready when reservations open on a first come, first served basis.
• 9:34
  Cortney: If you're already thinking about your flock for next year, don't wait until reservations open to start planning.
• 9:40
  Cortney: Head over to valleyhatchery.com slash early dash reservations and join the 2027 Early Reservations waiting list.
• 9:48
  Cortney: Get on the list, be the first to know, and get ready to choose your breeds when reservations open in October.
• 9:54
  Cortney: Now let's get back to the episode.
• 9:57
  Tina: Welcome back to the Chicken Insights Podcast.
• 10:00
  Tina: Let's get back into today's conversation.
• 10:02
  Tina: I think the biggest takeaway today is that winter preparation starts with paying attention.
• 10:07
  Nikki: Yeah.
• 10:07
  Nikki: Before the cold really sets in, take a few minutes to look at your coop and see what it's actually telling you about draft ventilation and moisture.
• 10:15
  Tina: And remember, the goal isn't just to close everything up, it's to create an environment that works for your flock.
• 10:22
  Nikki: Exactly.
• 10:23
  Nikki: Look at your setup, identify the areas that need attention, and make intentional changes based on what you're actually seeing.
• 10:30
  Tina: If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to follow the Chicken Insights podcast so you don't miss our upcoming conversations about raising healthy backyard flocks.
• 10:38
  Nikki: If you have a question you'd like us to answer in a future episode, send it to us through the fan mail feature.
• 10:43
  Nikki: Your questions help us understand what flock owners are working through and can become topics in future episodes.
• 10:49
  Tina: And for more educational resources and practical flock care information, visit valleyhatchery.com.
• 10:55
  Nikki: Don't forget to check out the winter coop resources we mentioned today.
• 10:59
  Nikki: If you want to take a closer look at ventilation and draft control.
• 11:02
  Tina: Thanks for listening and we'll see you in the next episode.
• 11:05
  Tina: Take care, everyone.
• 11:06
  Tina: Bye.