Anyone have luck catching a feral chicken?? UPDATE: Rooster caught, no hen

[theuglychick]

I use a cheap little Walmart heater with a temp sensor that kicks it on when it gets too cool. I keep it on the lowest setting to keep the chill out. Last year we had no chill. It's chained to a board on a wall so chickens can't get near it or roost on it.

The cold snap here got me thinking. I don't heat my coop because, well, fire! I've also seen how it can be a problem if they are used to heat and you lose power. They haven't acclimated to being cold so it goes all sorts of bad.

I'm worried because all I've heard is how awful winter is going to be. I wondered about a heater that would only come on when it gets really cold. Keep the coop at 10 degrees or something. I have a heat bulb if I really need it but there's no way to regulate that temp.

View attachment 1163013 Is one of these safer? Has anyone used one?

 

[The Golden Egg5]

The cold snap here got me thinking. I don't heat my coop because, well, fire! I've also seen how it can be a problem if they are used to heat and you lose power. They haven't acclimated to being cold so it goes all sorts of bad.

I'm worried because all I've heard is how awful winter is going to be. I wondered about a heater that would only come on when it gets really cold. Keep the coop at 10 degrees or something. I have a heat bulb if I really need it but there's no way to regulate that temp.

View attachment 1163013 Is one of these safer? Has anyone used one?

I looked it up, and I don’t think t would work very well. It doesn’t seem like it would put off much heat. At least not for me where it gets to -20 sometimes.

 

[biophiliac]

They didn't mind the led?

Nope, the coop was a bit dark without it, and it was off at night of course. It would get dark outside first and the coop light would be on for another hour or so for any body needing a bite to eat before roosting. I was paranoid they wouldn't be able to see well enough to eat. And a nice full crop is what you want on cold Wisconsin nights, ~10 below.
Eta, I'd prefer your climate I think, except if it's real humid.
2nd edit. Light was on a timer.

 

[theuglychick]

Ugly Chickens

Do any of you have any less than nice-looking birds?

I have a super blue egg layer pullet named Karen who is going to her new home this week.

She is my homeliest chicken.

I don't even know what color to call her except dirty white.

I'm hoping she's going to be an ugly duckling/beautiful swan situation.

 

[staceyj]

I responded to someone's questions on training chickens with resources on clicker training from Karen Pryor, Sophia Yin (RIP), and the Breilands.

I'll try to find it.

Here is one of my fav videos on clicking chickens!
https://drsophiayin.com/videos/entry/sophias_trained_chickens/

I love that one !

 

[staceyj]

Nope, the coop was a bit dark without it, and it was off at night of course. It would get dark outside first and the coop light would be on for another hour or so for any body needing a bite to eat before roosting. I was paranoid they wouldn't be able to see well enough to eat. And a nice full crop is what you want on cold Wisconsin nights, ~10 below.
Eta, I'd prefer your climate I think, except if it's real humid.
2nd edit. Light was on a timer.

Humid! =sweaty ten and a half months out of the year.

 

[staceyj]

Ugly Chickens

Do any of you have any less than nice-looking birds?

I have a super blue egg layer pullet named Karen who is going to her new home this week.

She is my homeliest chicken.

I don't even know what color to call her except dirty white.
View attachment 1163027

I'm hoping she's going to be an ugly duckling/beautiful swan situation.

I think Karen is lovely. She'll blossom!

 

[biophiliac]

The cold snap here got me thinking. I don't heat my coop because, well, fire! I've also seen how it can be a problem if they are used to heat and you lose power. They haven't acclimated to being cold so it goes all sorts of bad.

I'm worried because all I've heard is how awful winter is going to be. I wondered about a heater that would only come on when it gets really cold. Keep the coop at 10 degrees or something. I have a heat bulb if I really need it but there's no way to regulate that temp.

View attachment 1163013 Is one of these safer? Has anyone used one?

I recommend not heating unless you have delicate breeds, Seramas?
Ohio can't be much colder than WI.
I was so needlessly worried the first winter. @mobius had a great thread measuring winter temps and humidity last year that I found very reassuring. I'll try to get the link for you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...on-experiment-post-your-results-here.1145484/

 

[biophiliac]

@FlyingNunFarm - the device you asked about reminds me of the Sweeter Heater, which is probly safer than a hot bulb.
https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalo...VY0k94Cz7Q_OX20o7zRfO9iip9bLPFEoaAqGlEALw_wcB

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I recommend not heating unless you have delicate breeds, Seramas?
Ohio can't be much colder than WI.
I was so needlessly worried the first winter. @mobius had a great thread measuring winter temps and humidity last year that I found very reassuring. I'll try to get the link for you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...on-experiment-post-your-results-here.1145484/

For the most part it's not awful in the coop. It's not insulated but solid tongue and groove boards. It's also raised off the ground so I plan on stuffing some straw bales under it.

I just worry.