BYC members in Massachusetts?

[Jujubara]

Is anyone doing anything differently for the single-digit weather we have coming tomorrow night? I am keeping my feather-picked hen in my basement because I think she has too many bare spots….but otherwise hoping my 2 ducks will be fine under the coop, and my 5 hens will be fine inside it with extra bedding….

We did some cleaning and put in extra bedding. Also cracked corn about an hour before roost. I'm a little worried about our roo and his comb, but I'm sure they'll be fine.

 

[Powerhour]

After a long weekend during which I was able to let my birds have all 3 days till dusk to free range the neighborhood still no eggs. I was getting at least 2 per day from 4 birds right up to 2 weeks ago. They are 11 months old and not molting since this is there 1st winter. I feel like I am missing something. They have plenty of grain and I give them a generous fist full of meal worms at least 3 times a week. Any suggestions to promote laying. At least one of them has taken to roosting in the nesting box and even pooping in there. This behavior also just started with the winter solstice.
Thanks Ken

 

[ShrekDawg]

We aren't quite as cold here, mid 20s and getting to teens tonight I think. Was supposed to be snow showers but it's been coming down pretty steady. When I heard it was going to be teens tonight I made the decision to completely empty out the coop and add new shavings as it hadn't been cleaned in a while (was overdue) and didn't want any humidity given it's pretty small. Good thing as some bedding in one nest box near the bottom was kind of wet, I think there's a gap and rain maybe came in. Need to check it. But anyhow, the last few days they have been using the roosts as opposed to all piling in one or two nest boxes but,I added thick shavings to all, so thick in main part and especially thick in nest boxes, so hopefully they stay toasty. Also refilled water and food as water was empty almost and put it undwr the coop so no need to go in the snow. Just basic chores really but paid some extra special attention. Also just went out and gave them some suet I had made last week but hasn't been at all cold enough. Opened back door and offered before putting it down and they LOVED it, started devouring it, but now refuse to come out of the coop to eat it lol prissy things. Hopefully they will eventually get thirsty and come out. May fix up a roof but don't know if it's possible in the weather. Hopefully they will come out and eat it or I might out it inside but they do need water too.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I take that back... they are all out and devouring the suet!!!

 

[KrisCVT]

Phew! Mine did fine. It's my first winter with birds- and this was my first single-digit night. I got up just before sunrise and threw on boots and a jacket and ran out to check….what a relief to hear my 2 ducks quacking away and the hens just stirring. Looked like my ducks had slept around the heated bucket. It's 10 degrees right now but the sun is out so I will probably let them out shortly so they have the option.
I guess I can stop being so paranoid now…seems they do just fine in cold weather.

 

[Powerhour]

8 degrees out and my birds are fine, all are out of the coop and huddled together by the frozen water. The inverter I set up with the Harbor Freight solar system was emitting a loud scream and not turning on the light bulb i have in a cinder block under the water font. I brought fresh water and will need a new inverter. Love my birds but the eggs are the most expensive eggs anyone will ever eat. Kind of like fishing. Hundreds of dollars for a pound of fish, if your lucky.

 

[Jujubara]

After a long weekend during which I was able to let my birds have all 3 days till dusk to free range the neighborhood still no eggs. I was getting at least 2 per day from 4 birds right up to 2 weeks ago. They are 11 months old and not molting since this is there 1st winter. I feel like I am missing something. They have plenty of grain and I give them a generous fist full of meal worms at least 3 times a week. Any suggestions to promote laying. At least one of them has taken to roosting in the nesting box and even pooping in there. This behavior also just started with the winter solstice. 
Thanks Ken

Could they have a secret nest somewhere ? And my spring pullets went into a semi molt. No eggs for at least a month from those two. You might try asking one of the experts, they can usualy fogure it out.

 

[Jujubara]

Definitely a freezing night and day for us. The flock stayed in the coop longer today, but eventually came out and did really well. Of course I'm sure the cracked corn and warm oats helped.

 

[kidfarmer]

I think they are starting to not care about the snow!

 

[CountryGeorge]

I'm in the hills of Worcester County and my temps are about the same as Orange. My feathery bunch is going on four years old and they don't lay in the winter any longer but should start up again in the Spring, I provide no extra light and let them have a vacation for the winter. They seem to care little about the cold and I just make sure the coop is a balance between being well ventilated and draft free and so far so good. They like extra corn in the winter to digest during their snoozing time so they get some every night.