asking for reassurance from the deep freeze

[carladababe]

I'm sorry for the loss of your little one. I bought chickens that were bred to be cold tolerant so when we had that horribly hot summer couple years back, that's when I lost 4 of my chickens. You provide the best you can. Love them while you have them.

 

[annagarret]

Maybe you should turn the heat down. I am in Michigan and don't heat EVER, not even the water. I have no rooster's and my hen that has the tallest comb has a little white on top, a touch of frost bite. I am not able to run electrical to the coop nor do I want to. I take an old fashioned approach. I allow them to acclimate to the cold weather naturally. I feel it's the healthiest approach. Chickens will not dehydrate themselves if there is some form of liquid available i.e. ice or snow. I replenish the water bowl with fresh snow twice a day. Granted it's not as ideal as hot water but will support them nevertheless. I read up on this from some Canadian and Alaskan owners who could not keep running hot water out to the waterer. Even warm water in the coop can add extra condensation. Of course when it is about 30 degrees and above I DO have water for them.. I give them lots of greens...spinach, cucumbers, carrots that naturally have a lot of water in them.


I am glad it's warming up!!

 

[annagarret]

I'm sorry for the loss of your little one. I bought chickens that were bred to be cold tolerant so when we had that horribly hot summer couple years back, that's when I lost 4 of my chickens. You provide the best you can. Love them while you have them.

This is what I worry about more than the cold as I have Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks....

 

[Granny Hatchet]

thank you.

i did let the chickens out into their run today but i left the heat on till morning, i will turn it off. they have their choice of in or out. how very depressing. i wonder how they will look when/if they heal up? i only have chickens for their looks and personality. now part of that is gone.