chicken – TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources

No Heat Required: Keeping Chickens Safe and Comfortable in Winter

Chickens Are Built for the Cold, But Proper Shelter is Key

As temperatures drop, it’s common for chicken keepers to wonder whether they should add heat to the coop. In most situations, the answer is no. Healthy adult chickens are surprisingly cold-hardy and don’t need supplemental heat to get through winter. Their feathers provide excellent insulation, and they stay warm by fluffing up and roosting together. When we add heat, we prevent chickens from fully acclimating to cold weather, which can make them more vulnerable if the power goes out or the heat source suddenly fails.
The Danger of Heating a Coop
Safety is another big reason to skip added heat. Traditional heat lamps and space heaters are one of the leading causes of coop fires. With bedding, dust, feathers, and curious birds, the risk of accidents is real, and most coop fires happen at night. Even without a fire, heated coops can cause problems. Sudden temperature swings, like stepping from a warm coop into freezing air, increase the risk of frostbite and respiratory illness.
Radiant Heat Panels: Safer, But Still Usually Unnecessary
Radiant heat panels are often marketed as a safer option, and compared to hanging heat lamps, they can be lower risk. They don’t have exposed bulbs and provide gentle warmth instead of heating the entire coop. In special situations, such as caring for chicks, injured birds, or ill chickens, radiant heat can be helpful as a temporary, medical support tool. For most healthy adult flocks, however, they aren’t needed. They still rely on electricity, can fail unexpectedly, and may prevent chickens from fully adapting to winter temperatures.
What Really Matters is Ventilation
What matters far more than adding heat is a coop that’s dry, draft-free, and well ventilated. Cold air by itself isn’t the enemy, moisture is. Without proper ventilation, moisture from breathing and droppings builds up overnight, leading to frostbite, ammonia odor, and respiratory problems. The goal is to block direct drafts at roost level while allowing airflow above the birds’ heads, keeping bedding clean and dry all winter long.
Focus on good coop design, proper airflow, and overall flock health, and your chickens will come through winter just fine without added heat.

Cold Doesn’t Kill Chickens, But This Definitely Will

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The Best and Worst Sands for Your Chicken Coop

A Complete Guide to Safe, Clean, and Healthy Bedding

Using sand in a chicken coop or run can be a smart and practical choice—if you select the right type. The proper sand can provide excellent drainage, help control odors, and make cleaning easier. However, not all sand is suitable, and choosing the wrong kind can pose serious health risks to your flock.

The best sands for chicken coops are coarse and gritty. Construction-grade sand, also known as concrete sand, washed sand, or river sand, is a top choice. It features a mix of grain sizes, from fine particles to small pebbles, offering superb drainage and minimal compaction. Chickens enjoy dust bathing in it, and it supports foot health by providing natural grit. River sand is another excellent option—it’s similar to construction sand but usually smoother and free of contaminants or sharp fragments. Bank run sand, sometimes called mason sand if coarse, is also suitable as long as it isn’t too fine. In dry climates, decomposed granite can be used in outdoor runs; it’s very fine and stable underfoot, though it may get dusty.
To use sand effectively in your coop or run, aim for a depth of 2 to 4 inches inside the coop and up to 6 inches in outdoor runs. Clean it regularly using a kitty litter scoop or a fine rake to remove droppings. Good drainage is essential, so place sand in areas that slope slightly or have proper runoff. Refresh the sand every few months by topping it off with a new layer as needed.

❌ Sand Types to Avoid

On the other hand, certain types of sand should be strictly avoided. Play sand, which is very fine and powdery, retains moisture, compacts easily, and creates dust that can lead to respiratory issues and increase the risk of coccidiosis. Beach or saltwater sand may contain harmful salt, bacteria, or contaminants and typically offers poor drainage. Sandbox sand or fine mason sand shares similar problems unless it’s coarse and well-washed. Silica sand is particularly dangerous because its fine particles can be harmful when inhaled, posing health hazards to both chickens and humans.

Sand Keeps Your Coop Healthy—and Easy to Clean

Looking for the right cleaning tool? A Collection of Sifting Shovels for Sand

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Our Chicken Coop & Hens in 2024

The Renovations Never End & That’s Okay!

Every year brings new opportunities for improvements in our coop, and this year is no different. One significant upgrade stands out: the installation of an evaporative cooler to ensure my hens stay comfortable in the desert heat. Additionally, I’ve expanded the run, incorporated surveillance cameras so I can keep an eye on them, upgraded the shade cloth for better sun protection, and insulated all the barn pipes to help keep the water cooler. So let’s take a look!