cold

[under the radar]

I am changing out my waterers every hour or so and it's 7 here in Nashville. The pullets are twice their normal size, all puffed up trying to stay warm.

 

[cesjds]

I'm in Nashville, too and my chickens just came out of their coop about 5 minutes ago for the first time today! They (and really all of us) are not used to such cold weather. I've replaced their water 3 times today and will have to do it again. It seems like they are eating the snow a little, so maybe they can also get water like that? I'm just glad to see them out in the sunshine, even if it is 7 degrees!

 

[the3ofus+oursixchicks]

oh yes they have great place to roost. I have decided they were warming their legs. they periodically during the day.

 

[xmonster0]

Does the heated water bowl run on batteries? I can't run electrical out to my coop.

i run a couple hundred feet of extension cord to my coop works well

 

[the3ofus+oursixchicks]

finally above freezing

 

[annagarret]

I'm in Nashville, too and my chickens just came out of their coop about 5 minutes ago for the first time today! They (and really all of us) are not used to such cold weather. I've replaced their water 3 times today and will have to do it again. It seems like they are eating the snow a little, so maybe they can also get water like that? I'm just glad to see them out in the sunshine, even if it is 7 degrees!

Yes, chickens will eat ice or snow to keep themselves hydrated. Mine do. I have one that loves little ice pieces over water !

I learned about this behavior from a Canadian and Alaskan owner.

 

[Going Quackers]

I'm in Nashville, too and my chickens just came out of their coop about 5 minutes ago for the first time today! They (and really all of us) are not used to such cold weather. I've replaced their water 3 times today and will have to do it again. It seems like they are eating the snow a little, so maybe they can also get water like that? I'm just glad to see them out in the sunshine, even if it is 7 degrees!

Yes, they will, all that said i ensure the birds get actual water at least twice a day.

 

[mudbogs]

no the dog bowls are electric and the electric heaters for the chickens have the wires as well and the water still freezes at the temperaters we get, yes we have caulked and use straw in coop and in the run area we clean often we have 5 different breads of chickens 1 of each bread, they don't like the snow at all. we have found from suggestion as well as trial and error, to keep the lights on all the time, you can get the battery lights for those who do not have electric, and we do change the water 3-4 times daily we have a rotation in place now. we will def be trying the sand to help keep the air from underneath. i have also since this was posted placed a construction garbage bag full of shavings underneath the coop to help as well, we are cleaning the nest boxes out as well.

thank you for all the advice we are will to try anything and we are averaging 3-4 eggs a day with at least 5 eggs a day 3 times a week.

thank you again..

 

[xmonster0]

Did you wrap your coop with tarps?

a really good idea as well

 

[chicojoy]

Take a round cookie tin. Cut hole in side (centered from top to bottom) large enough for lamp replacement kit from hardware store. Put 40 watt bulb in, set waterer on and plug in. I have one and helps with water not freezing. Plus wrapped water container with heating pad. Good luck!