Colorado

[lazy gardener]

Hawks are still putting in an appearance. A friend a few miles away had a bird taken by hawk last week.

 

[manjari108]

Hi everyone,

I'm concerned about the 40 degree temperature drop we are going to have in Aurora. I haven't made any provision for heating the coop due to the fire concern and the fact that the birds can gradually acclimate to cold weather. This temperature change will be anything but gradual! Could my birds go into shock from the sudden summer to winter?

Also, two of my girls started the squat thing yesterday. Could this weather set back egg laying? I've been checking every day for a month! They are 24 weeks old today.


Thanks in advance,
Melinda

 

[Percheron chick]

It's nothing to worry about. Send them to bed with a full crop, block any draft that is strong enough to ruffle their feathers and if it makes you feel better throw down some extra leaves or straw in the coop. Or be like me and Don't do anything.
24 weeks is pretty average depending on the breed. I've has pullets start Christmas week so it will happen soon.

 

[showmanshiptop]

Hi everyone,

I'm concerned about the 40 degree temperature drop we are going to have in Aurora. I haven't made any provision for heating the coop due to the fire concern and the fact that the birds can gradually acclimate to cold weather. This temperature change will be anything but gradual! Could my birds go into shock from the sudden summer to winter?

Also, two of my girls started the squat thing yesterday. Could this weather set back egg laying? I've been checking every day for a month! They are 24 weeks old today.


Thanks in advance,
Melinda

It could but it is expected. If you have pullets they should keep laying. Now for coop heating Murdoch's has heaters. I am also in Aurora, but near Parker.

 

[lomine]

Give them a place to get out of the wind and they should be fine.

I only have one pullet out of four laying and they are all over 29 weeks. I'm thinking at least two of them aren't going to lay till spring because they show no signs of being close. My EE has me wondering though. She is a week older than the rest. Her comb got much darker/redder and she has been sitting in the nest every morning for at least 6 weeks but still no egg from her. I'm not too worried since she seems healthy and happy. But man, it just had to be the one I'm most curious about egg color. I really want a green egg but at this point it almost has to be a golden egg to make this waiting worth it.

 

[manjari108]

Thank you all! LOL @ the golden egg!

Melinda

 

[aim0474]

I worry about my 2 out there tonight but I know they will be fine. THe 4 I have in the brooder will probably get the radient heater out with them for a little while when they go out in the next week or two. MOstly for my comfort. LOL they are still getting neck and head feathers.

Murdochs did have 2 different heaters when I was there yesterday. I like that you can attach it to the wall of yhe coop with screws if you want to. then they can lean agaimst it. i have my little one hanging in the brooder so they can all get under it. not sure what i will do when thry move up.

I have had a ton of crows hanging close the the girls the last few days. i dont thunk they can hurt the hens but I am not sure.

 

[lomine]

Some folks have said crows attacked their chickens but I think they mostly go after little chicks. Crows are actually pretty territorial so they are good in the sense they will chase hawks away.

 

[showmanshiptop]

I worry about my 2 out there tonight but I know they will be fine. THe 4 I have in the brooder will probably get the radient heater out with them for a little while when they go out in the next week or two. MOstly for my comfort. LOL they are still getting neck and head feathers.

Murdochs did have 2 different heaters when I was there yesterday. I like that you can attach it to the wall of yhe coop with screws if you want to. then they can lean agaimst it. i have my little one hanging in the brooder so they can all get under it. not sure what i will do when thry move up.

I have had a ton of crows hanging close the the girls the last few days. i dont thunk they can hurt the hens but I am not sure.

That's good that you found some. What Murdoch's did you go to?

 

[Percheron chick]

Going to be a long night. He showed up 10 mins after I turned the chickens and geese out this morning. He left but showed back up for dinner. Geese are locked up with the chickens. If the geese would leave the dogs alone I'd put them in the coop too.