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  1. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    32 F is nothing. My girls are ecstatically wandering outside when it gets hot like that. They do it at 20 F as well. Much below that and they hang in the barn unless it is sunny or not windy. They are tougher than most people think. Including me before I had them My wife did have me put their...
  2. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    That is pretty amazing! People use those heater rings in open buckets at colder temps and the water doesn't freeze. You would think a covered waterer, especially a double wall like the one shown, would be easier to keep warm. I wonder if yours isn't putting out the expected amount of heat. I...
  3. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    I haven't done Vaseline (or Bag Balm) so I can't help there. I have the same questions about it that you do I know my girls think my pants are THE BEST thing to clean their beaks off though. I can just see them rubbing their greasy combs and wattles up and down my pant leg! With regard to...
  4. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    Man, that better not happen with my birds! The basement is MAYBE 45 F and the wood stove upstairs has 3 resident cats!! I guess if we had to, we could put one back in the mudroom bathroom. There is a furnace so the area is warm. That bathtub was their brooder for the first 3+ weeks Bruce
  5. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    Oh, that IS lovely weather, isn't it? My BAs combs are not too large and thus far no issues. The Anconas' huge combs a suffering a bit at the tips but they don't seem to be bothering the girls. Remember, wind chill only counts if the girls are out IN the wind. I love the picture of the...
  6. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    The chickens won't heat a large coop but they will make "blankets" of each other by squishing together. Pity the poor lower ranked one that has to sleep on the end of the row, no "blanket" on the outside. Is the door one that slides up and down? If so, I would make a SMALL 3 sided porch...
  7. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    No mud season? Lucky! Bruce
  8. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    They are fine Mine are in a larger coop than what you have (so less likely to be keeping the air warm) and have had no problem even at -15. I don't check them at night either, it just wakes them up. Since they've not had heat, your chickens are well feathered. I don't know what cardboard...
  9. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    Not without a humidity meter. Circular problem!!! It has always been just outside the coop in front of the open (hardware cloth only) front "window" or by the barn door on the work bench. It did drop to 80% yesterday sitting in the coop "window". Just like female people Bruce
  10. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    It was 21F today - a heat wave compared to two days ago. 2 feet of snow outside. Here is how my girls spent part of their day. Bruce
  11. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    30F isn't cold enough to even think they MIGHT be cold. My girls haven't seen 30F for a couple of weeks. 8F today and they were fine. They make nests in the shavings of the coop or run (indoor) floors and hang out in them. That is until someone comes in and then they think there might be a treat...
  12. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    So about this moisture thing. I bought cheap thermometer that has a humidity gauge and in the barn it always says it is 90 to 100% no matter what the temp is (only got it 2 weeks ago). I brought it in they house just to make sure it works and it dropped to 35%. Back to the barn but by the door...
  13. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    cold - low 40's Oh, sorry I actually grew up not too far south of you and yes, I do recall breaking out the big winter coat when it got cold. You know, like 50F I think others covered it but I wanted to say I like the layout. Edge on the raised area plenty of space under for...
  14. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    I don't know the answer to the first question but: SQ is show quality BQ is breeder quality They would be similar except the SQ might be more "perfect" and the BQs would be nice birds with qualities you want to use to improve your breeding program. And, based on context, yes, Duane Urch...
  15. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    If it was getting down to -36F I would consider a little supplemental at night. That is down right cold even if you ARE wearing your custom made down suit. But, I don't think I would go any higher than maybe -10F if it was that controllable. You don't want their bodies thinking 40F is "normal"...
  16. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    x20 on that! No rocks in the microwave. I would imagine any rock heated in water would be fine. They would heat up slowly and if getting hot is a problem for that type rock, it would just crack. 15F shouldn't be a problem for chickens in an unheated uninsulated coop assuming they are...
  17. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    We had some snow today (not much) and the temp was just below freezing. The only girls that didn't repeatedly follow me like a pack of puppies (hoping for treats) out into the snow from the lower part of the barn EVERY time I went in were the Anconas. Though they all gave up by the time we were...
  18. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    Found this on Amazon: "Northern Lights Pure Liquid Paraffin Lamp Oil is extremely clean and safe to use. Pure liquid paraffin is simply candle wax in liquid form at room temperature. Extremely safe to burn, Northern Lights Lamp Oil is both odorless and smokeless." Don't know if all "Liquid...
  19. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    Open flame dangers not withstanding, don't use kerosene. Get liquid paraffin from a boat chandlery. Might be available other places as well. Many benefits over kerosene, one being it DOESN'T STINK. Another being if you spill it on wood, it is now waxed, not stripped. Bruce
  20. bruceha2000

    Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

    How much humidity added? I don't think anyone can tell you but if it is truly well ventilated, I suspect: not much. Since the chickens don't need to stick their big snouts in the water dish, could you get a piece of plastic bigger than the top of the dish and put some appropriate sized holes...
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