Unheated Predator Proof Extreme Cold Coop

Keeping chickens in the north presents some unique challenges. The extreme temperature fluctuations from season to season are one thing to consider in a northern chicken coop. Predators in the area are another challenge that should be taken into consideration with your backyard chicken coop. If you are considering backyard chickens in a northern climate, here are some do's and don'ts from our experience in both Manitoba and northern Ontario, Canada raising both egg layers and chickens for meat production.

We keep backyard chickens on our wilderness homestead year round in northern Ontario. This presents some unique challenges including large apex predators as well as extreme cold conditions. Our coop was built mainly out of reclaimed lumber from an old cabin that once stood on the property.

We have two forms of predator here that are of concern - airborn predators such as owls, hawks and eagles. And land based predators such as wolves, bears and cougars. Both the coop and run are predator proof. We prefer to take a proactive approach to dealing with predators as opposed to a reactive approach. This has worked well for us over the years as we've never had to dispatch a predator here.

Our backyard chicken coop is not heated. The only electricity we run to the coop in the winter is for a small heated waterer, so the birds have access to fresh water 24/7. Our temperatures often dip down to the -20s and -30s for extended periods of time. The birds are allowed to hang outside each day, if they choose to. In the morning, we open the door to the run, in the evening we close it back up. The chicken coop itself is well ventilated, which is key in keeping happy, healthy chickens over the winter months. It's not the cold that kills, it's the moisture.

#Wilderstead

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[Lifetimelearningisbrave]

You have NO idea how awesome and smart you are to tell us your zone!!! Thank you! Most of these homesteaders don’t. Wasted time watching these people in zones 6 talk about keeping livestock in the “extreme cold.” lol.

[torrie]

I live on the border of Idaho and Canada. We have the same predators. We found by making “friends” with the ravens that they get territorial and help keep the eagles and hawks away. Now their cawing is a blessing instead of a curse. We also found talk radio to be helpful. (Even to some degree against the neighbor’s dog!)

[maggiek]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your zone! I am also zone 3 and its sooo frusterating hearing people in zone 7 or 8 talk about their " cold weather" and only finding out later that their winter is my spring/fall weather. What they use will not work up here in Northern Canada. Its a different ball game up here and I really appreciate seeing your methods of keeping chickens.

[bettinah.]

You two have done an excellent job at giving your chickens a safe and comfortable home. The fact that they have a sheltered area to get out even in winter is so important in my opinion.

[frankieboy]

Finally a podcast that matches my spot in northern Wisconsin weather and critters

[catherineschaos]

I live in Simcoe County, Ontario. When we first got chickens, family and friends asked how we would keep them warm in their coop during the winter. I said they will keep each other warm just fine. After all, we have lots of wild turkey in the forest behind our house, and they don’t get huddle up in a coop at night, do they? 😂 If the turkeys are doing fine, then I’m sure my chickens in a coop will do fine too. 👍🏼

[StrawberryFieldsNIR]

Actually they not only do a good job distributing mounds of straw (or grass clippings) - they love it, it keeps them entertained.

[JCharlesoutdoors]

A few years ago, I ran into a large black bear, who was attracted to a neighbors chicken feed, I banged the garbage can lid to scare him away. I would love too keep chickens someday when I can move upstate full time. I learned a lot watching this video, thanks for sharing

[troutjerky]

as an iron ranger im a tad jealous that you guys get a nice "warm" southern wind coming over lake superior in the winter lol

[MsK-xmvw]

It is so wonderful to have useful Canadian content; with this being said, I fully believe in free democracy, not government legislation for Canadian content control!
Now, onto my comment…
I am in Calgary Alberta attempting to be as self-sufficient as possible in a rental home. I have a large backyard garden, and a large but thin (5.5 x 15ft) area I’m hoping to develop into a chicken run for four layers. My biggest concern is that the videos I see on here are for Americans, and we can easily go for a couple months at -30 to -40 Celsius! I want a small coop that is big enough for them to hibernate in if necessary, and still be warm and dry. We’ve only just received municipal approval in January of this year, 2022, so I have to absolutely follow the legislative specifications, but it would be great to see some Canadian backyard chicken coop plans (instead of tempered climate American ones) now that we’re finally coming in line with the rest of the world. I’m working on my own (totally inexperienced version) for my Canadian backyard chickens; but, it would be great to have Canadian mentors who could show us the way… step by step. For newbie’s like me.
In today’s Canada, urban Canadians providing for their families may depend on it.

[fissurekingultra]

Thank you for the insight. I'm on my first winter with my Ameraucanas (and 1 silky rooster) North of the Twin cities in Minnesota. Today we had -8°F and was stressing about them in this cold for the first time. I built an 8'x5' coop with insulated walls, floor, and ceiling with no heat. I love to hear and see other peoples set ups and experiences. Thank you again.

[bettinah.]

Access to fresh water is so important, I like the heated waterer.

[johnsmoth]

This is awesome! I just bought. Homestead property in Manitoba, so this is exactly what I needed.

[f.goossens]

Hej from the north of Sweden. We keep eight hens in an unheated building attached to the house. One tupp (rooster) and seven hens. I deep litter them, a mix of hay, sand and leaf litter which is easy to gather as we're surrounded by forest. They're Brahma hens so well feathered, the cold doesn't bother them but they hate the wind like most hens. For ventilation we leave the door ajar, but I don't let them outdoors over winter. Having watched your video I might try to this winter. :) We have similar predators too...birds of prey, plus wolverines, bears (not a problem in winter) as well as pine marten, wolves and foxes.

[Justagirlygirlll]

Living in Warren, ON and it's very cold here in the winter. Easy -40 nights. Thank you for this!!!

[cath.lamontagne]

-40 and quite wet here in Northern area. If we have chickens again, I would love them to be happy- as happy as yours seem to be! 💕 😊 Thank you for sharing these clear hopeful tips.

[markwilder]

Hello fellow Wilder!
Love your channel. Haven't seen a video from you in quite a while.
I see this is a 4 year old video so I don't know if you will even see this comment. I just paused the video in order to comment. 😁
Anyway I have 1 suggestion so far.
I was thinking about a kiddie pool below the water also. You can still have straw in the pool but if the water is spilled you can easily get rid of the wet straw and replace helping keep moisture down.
Of course I know it would be composted.
Really love the life you all are living.
God Bless!!!

[duanewebber]

Algoma region zone #3 Thank you .... i wish others would give basic info ... so you know what has worked in the area off-grid ... so you can plan on your minium requirements when you start

[BerriesandBushcraft]

Absolutely loved this video. So refreshing to see a coop actually designed for cold climate and Canadian wilderness. Thank you!

[annezimmerman]

Love that u don’t use artificial lighting. ❤️❤️❤️. Gals need a break!