Chickens Freezing?

[Geckolady]

Hang in there. The first winter will be the one you worry about them the most.
They are a color variety not readily available as far as I know. I will be interested to hear how they do with the laying.

Thanks, you've been a big help. The man who sold them to me is pretty serious about chicken shows, and was not pleased with their color/markings. He said they'd be "egg laying machines." In the spring, I want to incubate some of their eggs. I already have the incubator and egg turner. Now if they can just last the winter. This rookie is worried about messing things up!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thanks, you've been a big help. The man who sold them to me is pretty serious about chicken shows, and was not pleased with their color/markings. He said they'd be "egg laying machines." In the spring, I want to incubate some of their eggs. I already have the incubator and egg turner. Now if they can just last the winter. This rookie is worried about messing things up!

If it helps any.....we will be 5 below zero here. I have 3 elderly bantams (the oldest is 11) and 8 adult full size hens then the kids....the young have a heat lamp in their 6x8 walk in coop with TONS of venting (open sofits) they are 7&8 weeks old. They are the only ones with added heat. That lamp is secured with chains to prevent falling. There are 4 coops. Chickens are in 3 and the 4th has 7 ducks.
The only thing I am worried about is that lamp.

 

[Geckolady]

If it helps any.....we will be 5 below zero here. I have 3 elderly bantams (the oldest is 11) and 8 adult full size hens then the kids....the young have a heat lamp in their 6x8 walk in coop with TONS of venting (open sofits) they are 7&8 weeks old. They are the only ones with added heat. That lamp is secured with chains to prevent falling. There are 4 coops. Chickens are in 3 and the 4th has 7 ducks.
The only thing I am worried about is that lamp.

That helps a lot. I've been waiting to name the hens just in case something goes wrong, because it's harder to lose a named pet. Reading these forums gives you lots of examples of things going wrong. They're such nice hens. Even the rooster is good tempered. Loving the new pets!

 

[aart]

I already have the incubator and egg turner.

First, get a bigger coop.

 

[Geckolady]

First, get a bigger coop.

Already in the works.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ant-should-i-use.1417576/page-2#post-23286857

 

[RainbowHen]

Beautiful birds! Congratulations! You are gonna do great

 

[aart]

Already in the works.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ant-should-i-use.1417576/page-2#post-23286857

I'd put your little coop inside that building for the winter.

 

[M Brennen]

They look similar to my Barred Rocks. Lovely birds! Good luck.

 

[Geckolady]

I'd put your little coop inside that building for the winter.

A 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 foot coop will not fit through the door, never mind trying to lift it.

 

[Geckolady]

Thanks to the well-wishers. They are used to people and quite tame. When I held one of them at the show, she just snuggled down. So soft and pretty! Then I had to have them. I was planning on a flock of chickens for some time, and everything was already here and ready, including the feed.

The rooster pretty much named himself. I grew up using those wind-up alarm clocks that are marked Big Ben, the ones everybody used before the world pretty much switched to electric alarm clocks. He's an alarm clock wanna-be, but the joke is on him. I'm up before he is. So, he is Big Ben. He has a nice big comb. Around what temperature should I put vaseline on it to protect it?