Hello from Minneapolis, and our chicken tribute to The Purple One

BoyankaTheBuff

In the Brooder
Oct 28, 2016
25
21
26
Minneapolis, MN
Greetings from me and my 6 pullets in South Minneapolis, MN on a standard city lot. Since buying our home six years ago we'd been wanting to get chickens going, and we got a free chicken coop a few years ago from a craigslist ad (it was more like a bunny hutch with a small hen house attached) which sat in our yard forever. This spring we finally took the plunge. While the chicks were growing in a rubbermaid tub in the basement, we cobbled together a home for them out of the franken-coop that we'd inherited. It was ok for a while, but I realized quickly it wouldn't work for winter here, nor would it be enough for six full grown birds.

I just finished a new, bright and airy coop for them and they seem to be doing great although the three who were laying stopped abruptly with the move. Hopefully with more daylight and recovery from the stress of moving, they will be laying again soon.

I did a lot of reading about winter chicken keeping on these forums and was heartened by all the stories from northerners whose birds are able to tough out the cold with the help of vigilant care. Our coop is currently not insulated or heated, but I'll be watching them for signs of discomfort, as insulating is definitely an option. I'm hoping not to add heat to the coop. They seem very happy so far, and we have gotten into the teens at night.

Their names are inspired by Prince songs with one exception.

Sheila is a Barred Plymouth Rock
Cynthia is an Australorp
Dorothy is the other Australorp
Nikki is a Gold Laced Wyandotte
Camille is a Speckled Sussex
Last, I named our Buff Orpington after one of my favorite Azerbaijani weightlifters, Boyanka Kostova.

I have two cats and a four year old as well.

Hi!!!!
 
The key to winter keeping is ventilation and draft free. If your girls are already used to the gradual temperature downturn, then they should be OK. Your chickens are of the type to handle cold.
WISHING YOU BEST and
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The key to winter keeping is ventilation and draft free. If your girls are already used to the gradual temperature downturn, then they should be OK. Your chickens are of the type to handle cold.
WISHING YOU BEST and
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I hear that! I prioritized ventilation and tight construction around their roost for their new house. It feels very dry in there so far. I'm just amazed at how chipper they can be at 6 in the morning in the freezing cold!! Haha!
 
:frow Hello Boyanka The Buff! Welcome to Backyard Chickens. I'm glad you joined us!

Cavemanrich's advice is really good, I would just add if they start to show signs of frost bite on their combs, wattles, or other bare patches of skin then they you should put vassaline on the infected areas. I live in Michigan and the winters can get pretty brutal here and vassaline works amazingly on frostbite.
 
G’Day from down under BoyankaTheBuff
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Welcome!

Lots of friendly and very helpful folks on BYC so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures about our feathered and non feathered friends
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