Arctic cold front in West Central Arkansas

[Chicken Chaperone]

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Ya know what? I say bring them in and let them have the bathroom! I'm worried here too (NE Texas). Our coop is meant for warm weather- not cold. So I advise you (and will take the same advice myself-) if you're worried then just bring 'em in! I think everybody will get a better night's sleep that way! Good luck, keep warm and don't forget to take care of yourself!

 

[Chicken Chaperone]

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Ooo- this is proof positive that I should have read all the way through the thread before posting. Me and my itchy 'reply finger'...
anyway- this sounds like excellent advice and I'm grateful that you posted it! A million thank yous!

 

[Guwisti]

Thanks everyone! I feel better already. Got home from work, had half a bale of straw and went out there and stuffed more inside their coop. Their coop is raised off the ground so stuffed some underneath it as well. Then my mom's bf brought over another bale. stuffed more in the coop and then flaked it off and put the flakes up around the base of the whole run. Figured it was at their height and would give them a little bit of a wind break. I spent 50 minutes out there stuffing straw various places so they outta be good. Figured bringing them in would be too hard on their system, and they seemed quite cozy when I left them, crammed into their little nesting boxes.

Thanks so much for all your responses. It's hard on us first time moms! And all you folks out there stay warm! You folks up in NW AR are supposed to be getting it worse than us. Still hoping for a snow day for me tomorrow though.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

DW went all over looking for more heat lamps. EVERYONE is SOLD OUT! Space heater time.

 

[Guwisti]

I know! It's nights like these I wish we had electricity out there, but so far they've been fine without it.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I have plenty of birds to keep each other warm, I just like SPOILING them!

 

[mtnhomechick]

I'm in Mtn Home. We had 50 chickens last Jan. during the ice storm. They all survived and we didn't have power for 17 days. I just put tons of straw yesterday on the coop and run floor cause their little feet were getting red. Combs are fine tho. I have a covered run. I also have an open day run which they won't even think of entering since there's snow on the ground. And I have electric heated waterers although one isn't working quite right.......so I take hot water out several times a day and add it to the cold water.

I just worry too........but then I think of all the farmers in other parts of the country and I think the chickens can adjust to the cold.

Mary

 

[Tala]

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Yeah I noticed. One of mine keeps blowing bulbs (blew two this week) don't know if it's the extreme weather or the socket shorting, but I can't have it going out randomly.
I ended up buying a 75watt shop light with a 25ft cord --- because they were out of brooder style lights. Anyway, I took the cover off so that a floodlight would fit in it. It hangs nicely upside down, and floodlight bulbs have built in reflectors anyway.

Both lamps are rated for 75 watts, but this one has a much heavier cord than the one that keeps going out.

I only had a 60watter in it too! Could just be the weather - coz it was a non-weather regular bulb that blew. The floodlights are supposed to be hardier, "all weather" suitable.

 

[gritsar]

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[hunt4meat]

Hi guys, I know I am new here, but I am taking my granny's approach on this one... She never thought about freezing temps with any of her farm animals. The only thing to really remember is keep the hard water (ice) soft water (liquid). They need water more during these low temps. Any break from the wind is a good thing. I put out extra straw and they are all doing just fine, and they like the wheat in there to boot.

Matt