VIDEO: How to Winterize Your Chicken Coop with Summer Rayne Oakes

On a snowy, wintry day, Summer Rayne Oakes of Flock Finger Lakes takes us inside her newly built chicken coop to share what she’s doing to get it ready for winter. From smart coop orientation and ventilation tips to insulation strategies and warm-water routines, Summer walks through the small details that help her birds stay comfortable in cold weather. She also shows how she uses Espoma Organic Sani-Care® Premium Hardwood Bedding to create a deep, cozy floor layer that’s easy to clean and helps keep the coop environment drier and more comfortable all season long.

8 Winter Coop Tips Summer Swears By

1) Start with the right coop orientation

If you’re building a coop from scratch (or choosing where to place one), Summer recommends thinking about prevailing winter winds first. In her location, cold winds typically come from the north, so she designed the coop with no open windows on the north side to help block drafts.

Takeaway: Positioning and window placement can make winter management easier before you even add insulation.

2) Use windows for ventilation, not warmth

It’s tempting to button everything up tight, but Summer reminds us that humidity control matters just as much as temperature. She aims to keep coop humidity under about 70%, since damp air in freezing weather can contribute to frostbite risk on combs and wattles.

Takeaway: In winter, crack windows strategically to keep air moving without creating harsh drafts.

3) Insulate to reduce temperature swings (but don’t heat the coop)

Summer insulated the coop walls and ceiling to help limit dramatic hot-to-cold shifts. The goal isn’t to create a tropical coop, it’s to keep conditions steadier.

She also notes an important point: heating the coop can backfire if birds step outside into much colder air, creating stress and condensation issues.

Takeaway: Insulation can help stabilize the space; birds are built for winter, but they do best in a dry, well-ventilated environment.

4) Build a warmer, softer floor with deep bedding

Because concrete floors get cold fast, Summer builds up a generous layer of bedding. She uses Espoma Organic Sani-Care and piles it 6–10 inches deep so the birds have a warmer, softer place to settle in.

Why Sani-Care?

Easy to clean: makes daily and weekly maintenance simpler
Comfort-focused: helps create a more cushioned, cozy floor layer
Supports a drier coop: deep, fresh bedding helps manage moisture so the coop feels more comfortable

5) Add extra “snuggle zones” with raised beds

Summer repurposed pet beds as raised sleeping areas and added bedding on top, giving chickens and ducks the option to get up off the cold floor. Some birds choose corners, others prefer the beds. The point is: let them decide.

Takeaway: Variety in roosting/sleeping spots helps the flock settle where they’re most comfortable.

6) Use safe lighting and avoid risky heat sources

Summer uses a standard LED light and avoids heat lamps, noting that heat lamps can be a cause of coop fires. If she ever wants a small bump in warmth, she considers a safer alternative that gently raises the temperature without intense heat.

Takeaway: Prioritize fire safety in winter setups. Warmth is never worth the risk.

7) Block wind in the run with panels (without sealing it airtight)

To cut wind where birds spend their time, Summer adds poly panels to the run. She intentionally leaves small gaps so there’s still some airflow.

Takeaway: Wind protection + ventilation is the balance. You’re aiming for calm air, not stale air.

8) Keep water available and flowing

Summer shares her setup for keeping water accessible in freezing weather, including insulated lines and a system designed to reduce freezing. She also brings warm water as a treat, especially on extra-cold days.

Takeaway: Winter hydration takes planning, but it’s one of the biggest quality-of-life upgrades you can make for your flock.

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