Colorado Springs Colorado

[suncatcher]

That is a nice coop and run!

 

[buffchicks]

Thanks. How have your hens been laying with this cold? Do you use a heat lamp?

 

[suncatcher]

I don't use heat, and am only getting one egg a day from seven hens, hope they pick up soon!!!

 

[buffchicks]

I am brand new to this, but I have heard from some people they will lay better if provided heat. Have you heard that? Do you live in the city or county?

 

[suncatcher]

From what I have read it has to do with light, and the shorter days causes them to not lay as well as they do during longer days. Some people put a light bulb in the coop to encourage hens to lay during these shorter days in December and January. I don't do this, as I don't mind them taking time off from laying, is just how nature works! I am not sure about the heat though, have never done any research on it.

Nope, do not live in the city, but in the country. This ia a great place to learn all about chicken keeping, Tons of info here.

 

[Camp Leader]

Buffchicks, my son has mentioned that his "chicken guy" told him they needed at least 40 degrees in the coop. The little waterer in my coop was frozen solid everyday for a week and the girls kept laying. Not sure of the validity of the temp thing. I have heard they like better conditions to lay well. Who doesn't like comfy conditions all the time though.

 

[buffchicks]

I agree. I have a heatlamp setup on a thermostat plug it turns on when it drops below 32F and shuts off at 42F. I have a 5 gallon bucket waterer in the run which will have an aquarium heater in the botton to make sure it does not freeze. I put those chicken waterer nipples on the bottom of the bucket they work fantastic.

 

[suncatcher]

Sounds like a nice set up, I do the fortex bowls in winter, bought them at Big R years ago. very easy to empty out, but a heated waterer would be nice!


Camp Leader it was nice to meet you and your son today. BTW, those chicks are around four months old. Hope you had a nice dive home!

 

[Camp Leader]

Nice meeting you too. Drive home was quiet and uneventful. I separated the new ones from the flock, just a little introduction period. This morning the little roo made a break and got out of the enclosure. He had a run in with one of my girls. He then seemed to settle down. Let the two new girls out. They played peeking order for awhile and coexisted all day. Had to chase them into the playhouse tonight, but nobody got excited. I think they will integrate fine.

 

[Camp Leader]

Suncatcher, meant to ask. Do you handle your chickens? We have our girls since we first got them. The little cochins really freak out when we try to hold them. If you have held them, maybe we are still strangers.