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After a few nicer days, now we've got an overnight low forecast of somewhere between -23C and -28C, depending on which model one considers. Last night I tried putting in a couple of milk jugs full of very hot water. Not sure if helped much. So today I put a pet-heating-mat (which originally...

Whew -- the cold snap finally broke and the girls are back outside! So they were inside about 6 days, more or less. Everyone seems happy with the situation. I have some serious cleaning to do.

They've adapted just fine; collected 3 eggs today, which is almost back to their usual rate. A bit stinky but tolerable for a few more days. Still, I think everyone will be happier when it warms up and they can go back out!

Well, I bit the bullet, and brought my five girls inside into the basement. They're forecasting a low of -39C on Friday. I know they're hardy, but there's limits to everything. Shouldn't be longer than a week at the most!

Good news, everyone -- Blanche has come out of her broodiness! All on her own. This after about 18 days, maybe more if I didn't notice it soon enough, so right around the expected 3 weeks or so.

Very nice, Tara! I agree that those hybrids look really nice, while remaining firmly in the Chantecler body form.

Sometimes I think my chickens are smart. Other times I see them walk up the ramp to the closed henhouse door, just to make sure it's really closed I guess, every 10 minutes for 4 hours. Still not open ladies, sorry.

Thanks for sharing, Mary. I think this will remain a 'sunny afternoon above freezing' treat, until spring gets here. They're doing fine with the heated waterer anyway.

So when I got these birds over the summer I used to put out a wide shallow tray of water, which they liked drinking out of, but also liked walking through and pooping in, etc. When winter came, I removed it, because I didn't want them to lose any toes. Anyway it was a nice sunny day here...

Chickens are not Air Power. Chickens are Desert Power.

Thanks, Ted! That reminded me that I've been meaning to weigh Blanche since I'm handling her all the time anyway. 2.3 kg, or 5 pounds. Right about what I would have guessed.

A couple pictures of Blanche being broody: Note the classic 'very spread out' posture, associated with broodiness. Other chickens like to snuggle with her occasionally.

I've been closing up the henhouse door for 3-4 hours a day and putting the broody hen out in the run, which has been working for me, I think. However it also keeps everyone else out of the laying boxes. Interestingly, this isn't actually a problem! They all just rush in when I eventually do...

Aha, I see it's a submission thing. That makes sense.

So I've been moving her out into the run and closing the henhouse door for about 3 hours before bedtime and she seems just fine out there, walking around and eating and drinking and such, so I'm not too worried about her. On a different topic -- I've noticed now when my chickens get startled...

I'm not adding light, but all my chickens haven't slowed down laying at all! I think maybe because they're still pretty young (under a year old.) And it's frickin dark up here. Sunset around 1630. But I'll keep on keeping an eye on her! Thanks.

One of my hens has gone broody! Pretty sure that's what it is. She's just squatting in the nesting box and won't be displaced. Spent all night in there, and all day. On the other hand, she's not ornery at all -- still entirely good-natured. But I picked her up and put her into the run...

Hello everyone, I put together a six-minute long time-lapse video of my chickens roosting at night for 12 hours. They're more active than I was expecting! Cheers, Roger

I noticed the girls dust-bathing together, which I hadn't seen before. Three of them all lying down together in a dusty depression, splashing around.

Ran the electricity for the waterer heating, so it's nice to have that out of the way. One downside to friendly chickens: they wanted to come over and see what I was doing while I was working in the run. I need some space, girls! Another first: first egg with a tiny little bloodspot on the...