electrcity free ways to keep hens cozy in the northern climates

[arlee453]

Quote:
It must be global warming...

 

[verthandi]

Polish and showgirls here in Central Maine. It can hit 20 below or better on a few days out of the winter. I have two waterer for each coop. One in the coop, and one thawing out. Draft free coop with southern exposure windows. I open the coop door most days on the south side until 1pm then close everything back up.

Vasoline on wattles and combs if 0 or below. The roost is just big enough for all of them to sleep on and the footing is wide enough that when they crouch down that their bodies nicely cover their feet. Scratch at 1 when I leave for work, and new waterer put in coop. They have never shown signs of being cold....even when I am whining that it is.

Shavings over plank raised flooring.

 

[crazy4chicsinBC]

Quote:
I don't miss ontario winters!!

 

[Wildsky]

If I put bales of Hay in my coop - will they still be able to be fed to my horse at a later date - if they don't get pooped all over?
I have about 2 tons of baled hay in my garage to keep it dry - but heck if I can use it to keep the chickens warm, and then later still feed it to my horse - well then its done double duty and been well worth the $$$
Edit to add: My coop is pretty darn big for the number of chickens I have. its about 8x20 and I have 12 chickens.

 

[McGoo]

I've got a totally insulated, but small coop, for my 8 chooks, and when I open it up in the morning the temp inside is fine.

I have also lined the pen (where the wire mesh is) with clear plastic (like you use for windows) so that they can stay out of the wind and still be outdoors during the day. It really is like a coldframe/greenhouse. Today it snowed and they loved coming in out of the snow and yet not having to be inside.

 

[annmarie]

Thank you all so much for the loads of helpful advice! Pat, I know exactly what you mean about the weather being much colder than normal at the moment. I think that's what got me asking this question in the first place. December in Vermont is typically cold, but the nights have been getting down to 5-10 F and it looks like an arctic tundra out there, which is more typical of February. I thought I'd have time to work up to that kind of extreme!

I'm also glad someone mentioned them getting their wattles wet when drinking. My RIR has frostbite on the tips of her wattles and I've been coating them like mad with petroleum jelly at night. I couldn't figure out what was going on but I bet that she's getting them wet when she drinks during the day, and the days right now are staying well below freezing. Hmmm... that will be something to work on. A little wattle bra?!
Hi Gretchen, fellow Vermonter! I'm from the Connecticut Valley region, an bit over an hour south of Montpelier. My girls came from the local feed store down here "the feedstore special" I call them! One Barred Rock, one Rhode Island Red, one "Golden Comet".
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go cook up some bricks and rocks!

 

[verthandi]

Quote:
Wildsky, I have 12 in about the same area. They will poop all over the hay bales that you put in there unless you cover them with something. I wouldn't chance feeding them to horses after due to the dust, even if I covered them.

My chickens do like them to roost on though, so I put one or two in there in the winter time.

 

[patandchickens]

I would definitely not feed hay bales that have been in the coop to horses. There is the dust issue; there is likely to be excessive waste (parts the horses won't eat), and while it may be very rare, I know someone whose horse died of salmonellosis that was almost certainly related to free-range chickens pooing on hay.

I have piled up an igloo hut sort of thing using the plastic bales of shavings. With a little wood and wire to keep things from slipping and falling. Dunno how it will work. Has anyone else used blastic-bagged shavings instead of hay or straw in this way?


Pat (where, by the way, the temperature bottomed out at -19.5C [few degrees below 0 F] in early evening then rose all night, go figure)

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
Wildsky, I have 12 in about the same area. They will poop all over the hay bales that you put in there unless you cover them with something. I wouldn't chance feeding them to horses after due to the dust, even if I covered them.

My chickens do like them to roost on though, so I put one or two in there in the winter time.

Thanks Verthandi, I'm not sure I want to use up my hay - I had a tough time finding it in the first place.... mmmm I'll have a chat to DH - perhaps one or two bales near the chicken door inside the coop to keep any kind of breeze from going in during the open daytime hours.

 

[kayri]

I'm in coastal RI, and while I think we are a bit warmer then you nothern guys. It has been 20 at night and not been above freezing for the last week. My coop is very small 5 X 4 x 3 and is made of 1 inch thick wooden boards. I am trying to use the deep litter method (but I think I may need another inch or so). I tacked rigid pink styrofoam boards to the outside and wrapped the whole thing in tyvek. I found that if I fill a small (1 quart) waterer with very warm water and place it in the coop just before I shut them up at night, it has only frozen a couple of times. I was thinking of experimenting with hot plates you heat up in the microwave to keep your food warm. . .