California - Northern

[ronott1]

Ron my Crele Rooster got a good amount of Frostbite
the Empordanesa , Black Penedesenca and younger Crele rooster really did not.

I rubbed everyones comb with Vetrex and really rubbed his good and rubbed his wattles rubbed them all except I could not reach the younger crele but his comb is small anyways. Ill do it again tomorrow.
Vetrex is oily like vaseline but also helps them fire colds and is healing

I hope that works for the combs. It is going to be another cold one here tonight. Will it be as cold up there too?

 

[Nikon]

Hey guys! We got around 6" of snow in Grass Valley and about 4" where we are. The chickens were so funny! They hopped and flew over the melting bits of snow so they wouldn't have to get their chicken feet cold.

I put Bag Balm on the roos combs and wattles (especially the Orp) and on the girls' that have single combs. Everyone seems fine.

Question time:

We got home and the person that had wanted us to put a heat lamp (we didn't) in the coop had put an electric garage light (the plain bulb type that hangs from a hook and cage) in the coop.
Wasn't very happy with their decision because of the 24 hour light exposure they received and because I'm worried about dependency upon the supplemental heat, even if it's just a bulb.

The question is, will they just bounce back if I remove the light?

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I hope that works for the combs. It is going to be another cold one here tonight. Will it be as cold up there too?

It is supposed to be 18 tonight which is what it was when I went outside at 7am today
it should help the drying for sure.

There is still so much snow. it only hit 33 today for maybe a hour it is 28 now

 

[ronott1]

Hey guys! We got around 6" of snow in Grass Valley and about 4" where we are. The chickens were so funny! They hopped and flew over the melting bits of snow so they wouldn't have to get their chicken feet cold.

I put Bag Balm on the roos combs and wattles (especially the Orp) and on the girls' that have single combs. Everyone seems fine.

Question time:

We got home and the person that had wanted us to put a heat lamp (we didn't) in the coop had put an electric garage light (the plain bulb type that hangs from a hook and cage) in the coop.
Wasn't very happy with their decision because of the 24 hour light exposure they received and because I'm worried about dependency upon the supplemental heat, even if it's just a bulb.

The question is, will they just bounce back if I remove the light?

Are you worried about them not being used to the cold or laying eggs? I would leave the light on at night until the temp goes up and then remove it. They really do not need heat here--Except for some really big combed roosters at higher elevations.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

We've been doing that, but by the time we get home from work, it's frozen solid again. Is a tea kettle of water, morning and night enough hydration for them?

I empty there waters at night and put very warm water in with vitamins. My Acv was frozen rock solid so they did not get that.
It should make it to the low to mid 40's tomorrow which will defrost your water.

today my water froze but slightly they could peck through that. the main issue is no one left the coop.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Are you worried about them not being used to the cold or laying eggs? I would leave the light on at night until the temp goes up and then remove it. They really do not need heat here--Except for some really big combed roosters at higher elevations.

I was thinking about using the lights but don't have enough extension cords to run down to the runs.
I think they will be ok though. I should of done the Vetrex Friday and Saturday night though. Lesson learned

 

[ronott1]

I was thinking about using the lights but don't have enough extension cords to run down to the runs.
I think they will be ok though. I should of done the Vetrex Friday and Saturday night though. Lesson learned

Sorry Jason, yes you should be fine. I like the vetrex idea too. Now if it was going to be -18.....

 

[Nikon]

Does it thaw during the day there?

If not and it happens for a lot of days, you may need a heated water fountain.

I had to use the tea kettle to thaw out an auto water fountain this morning.

The high today was only 33F. The 3-4 inches of snow we got is melted out of the coop-run and we put some straw down in the run to keep the mud at bay and to make it warmer on their feet.

We have an auto waterer, but it's supply was the lake pump and that gets taken out every winter so it doesn't freeze and explode. So, the chickens have been back to their plastic tube waterer. Even with it inside the coop at night, it's still freezing.

Do you know where we can get a heated waterer? I found something like this at work.... would it work if I wrapped it around the waterer?

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Heat-AHB-019-Weather-Heating/dp/B00002N6MB

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Sorry Jason, yes you should be fine. I like the vetrex idea too. Now if it was going to be -18.....

lol have you priced extension cords lately lol.
all 4 of my runs are at least 60 feet to 75 feet from the house.
I bought a Generator Friday night and figured I should my 2 more 50 cords and a splitter
it was 90.00 for just the extension cords lol
luckily I already have 3 or I would of spent a lot more

 

[Nikon]

Are you worried about them not being used to the cold or laying eggs? I would leave the light on at night until the temp goes up and then remove it. They really do not need heat here--Except for some really big combed roosters at higher elevations.

Worried most about taking away the light if they've gotten used to it. We had never planned on putting one up, but since it's there now I'm concerned about them being dependent on it for heat. Or do you think since it's only a regular light bulb that it isn't putting out enough heat to make them depended on it?