How to manage the chicken coop environment in autumn and winter

Temperature The temperature inside the coop should preferably be kept at 18-23°C, and should not be lower than 15°C at minimum. If windy weather occurs, the tarpaulin should be rolled up (roll up half or all of it according to changes in the outside temperature) to prevent the wind from causing the temperature inside the coop to drop suddenly. Every day, adjust the size of the air inlet according to the weather conditions and the performance of the flock. At the air inlet, use wire or rope to securely fasten the plastic sheeting and plywood so that the air blows upward, and do not let cold air blow directly onto the chickens, to prevent cold stress from causing disease in the flock. Do not open the air window directly facing the thermostat, to prevent cold air from blowing directly onto the thermostat. If the exhaust fan cannot be turned on, it is easy to cause the air inside the chicken coop to become foul. When installing a timed thermostatic exhaust fan, choose one with intact louvers, and do not choose a north-facing exhaust fan. Before winter begins, clean the dust off the heater; when first turning on the heater, keep its louvers parallel so that hot air evenly fills the chicken coop. Do not open the workroom door and the chicken coop door at the same time, to prevent cold air from blowing directly into the chicken coop. Observe the flock carefully every day. If the chickens lie on the racks with their back feathers standing up, it means the inside of the coop is too cold. Adjust the air inlet, block up air leaks, and prevent stress, so as to avoid the flock catching cold and becoming ill. Watch the weather forecast every day and take precautions in advance.

Ventilation In autumn and winter, the inside of the coop should preferably have fresh air and a relatively slow airflow speed. Before winter begins, repair the places where air should not enter, especially the air leaks at the exhaust fan, which must be properly dealt with, to prevent local backdrafts from causing poor overall ventilation in the chicken coop and a low temperature near the exhaust fan, which can cause disease in the flock and affect production. When the ammonia smell inside the coop is strong, first raise the temperature inside the coop, then increase the ventilation volume. When the air inside the coop is relatively foul in the morning, if the ventilation volume must be increased, it should be increased gradually, preferably at noon when the temperature is relatively high. Each ventilation period can be shorter, and the number of ventilation times can be greater. When ventilating, be sure not to leave dead corners. If the number of exhaust fans to be turned on is to be increased, carefully observe the performance of the flock after increasing them, and only proceed if there are no adverse reactions.

Humidity Before winter begins, add enough litter. In winter the litter is relatively dry, so sprinkle water or spray disinfectant regularly. If there is standing water under the racks, when the temperature is high in autumn, drain the water from under the racks, then spread white lime. When the temperature inside the coop is suitable, increase the ventilation volume. Adjust the water pressure of the nipple drinking line down to below 10 cm, or adjust the water level of the drinker to below 1 cm. Check the drinking line frequently; nipple connectors on drinkers that leak should be replaced or repaired immediately. If a drinker leaks, deal with it promptly to prevent the leak from causing too strong an ammonia smell inside the chicken coop and affecting the health of the flock.