asking for reassurance from the deep freeze

[TeamChaos]

I'm in SW WI, I do not traditionally add heat to my coops but considering that we've got livestock warnings out and might have minus 60 windchill by Monday, I combined my flocks into one building and I have two heatlamps going over the roosts. I understand people saying that they don't supplement heat in the winter, but does this include when the weather service issues livestock advisories? Death can occur in 5 to 10 minutes of exposure.

 

[annagarret]

Great point....Do you usually treat livestock differently from your birds? I am only asking because I am not educated in livestocks needs

 

[bobbi-j]

I'm in SW WI, I do not traditionally add heat to my coops but considering that we've got livestock warnings out and might have minus 60 windchill by Monday, I combined my flocks into one building and I have two heatlamps going over the roosts. I understand people saying that they don't supplement heat in the winter, but does this include when the weather service issues livestock advisories? Death can occur in 5 to 10 minutes of exposure.

As long as they (livestock or chickens) can be out of the wind, the windchill factor isn't really an issue...

 

[annagarret]

Thank you, I didn't know that windchill could be an issue for them

 

[Granny Hatchet]

afternoon all, an update. i finally got the nerve up to brave the cold and check on my babies. the coop with the little heater in it i did not go in because when i peeked through the egg door i could see all was fine. i had one cat in there as well. i then went to the guinea coop with no heat and the guineas seemed ok as well but, the rirs i have in there do seem to have gotten frostbite on their combs and are holding their feet up in the air as well. they are not happy campers but so far they are alive. i had a cat in there as well and she darted out the door and ran to the pole barn which is my next stop.here i have my brooders with heat lamps on and half grown bantams and a couple polish. ALL of their waters are frozen solid, i cant remove the lids and they were sitting under the light. the chickens act like they are froze to death. being very loud and shivering. nothing i can do there. i brought the extra kitty in the house (its never been inside before) it was shivering pretty hard and it took to my mother and her fluffy robe and hasnt left her side yet. temp. is -30 with wind chill, -4 without. we are supposed to have these temps until wednesday morn. and by the weekend its going to be in the 50s.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

umm, my vinegar outside sitting next to my frozen waterers is not frozen. anybody??

 

[Granny Hatchet]

umm, my vinegar outside sitting next to my frozen waterers is not frozen. anybody??

i was wrong it froze, just took a min. more.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

talked to someone last night that had no insulation in his coop and he took straw bales and pealed off layers of it and pushed them in between the 2x4s in his coop tightly so they would stay and he said it was like a little cave in there.

 

[annagarret]

Just checked on mine. A little snow is on the run and of course their water is frozen. Gave them some warm water. They DON"T like the wind when I opened the door. I just can't believe they won't go "upstairs" where it is warmer , don't get them at all..

It's 3 degrees now with a wind chill of -20.

 

[earlybird10842]

I am in middle northern Michigan and I am nervous too.

My coop is about a 1/2 acre from the house and running electricity is out to the question. I have a small flock of 3 hens. The coop is pretty small too. I read on another thread to pile up the snow all around the sides, creating an igloo effect. We have gotten already 10 inches of snow today.

I will add more straw and pile up the snow, maybe add another tarp and pray......

I was hoping to hear from some Canadians and Alaskans on how they deal....


My girls are during good so far and are still laying

afternoon all, an update. i finally got the nerve up to brave the cold and check on my babies. the coop with the little heater in it i did not go in because when i peeked through the egg door i could see all was fine. i had one cat in there as well. i then went to the guinea coop with no heat and the guineas seemed ok as well but, the rirs i have in there do seem to have gotten frostbite on their combs and are holding their feet up in the air as well. they are not happy campers but so far they are alive. i had a cat in there as well and she darted out the door and ran to the pole barn which is my next stop.here i have my brooders with heat lamps on and half grown bantams and a couple polish. ALL of their waters are frozen solid, i cant remove the lids and they were sitting under the light. the chickens act like they are froze to death. being very loud and shivering. nothing i can do there. i brought the extra kitty in the house (its never been inside before) it was shivering pretty hard and it took to my mother and her fluffy robe and hasnt left her side yet. temp. is -30 with wind chill, -4 without. we are supposed to have these temps until wednesday morn. and by the weekend its going to be in the 50s.

Hoping your guineas are okay!