First post, first chickens, first coop

[jovial_cynic]

Winter is nearly here - it's getting colder and colder at night. Is there any need to provide any extra warmth for the birds, or are they fine as long as they stay dry?

 

[orcasislandchickens]

I live not too far from you and they should be fine as long as they are dry. Keep plenty of clean shavings or hay down for bedding. Whether to provide extra heat/ light is one of those frequently debated topics here on the board.

 

[JennsPeeps]

!!

There are lots of us in WA State. I'm not too far from you. Be sure to post in the "Where am I? Where are you" section. We've got a chatty "Washingtonians" thread going over there.

 

[gottaknit]

Very pretty hens! What a cute coop - can't believe you could build that in 2 days. Impressive.

I was worried about our dog when we got chickens. She's a mutt - some kind of herding dog mix - and chases everything. She "herds" squirrels, cats, flies, kids.... you name it.

BUT she is submissive to our chickens. When they come near her, she rolls over on her back and wimpers.

It's good to be careful of dogs, but don't worry, they aren't all killers.

 

[chookchick]

Hey, I just noticed you're from Lacey! Right next door from me. Yes, we have a lot of coons here, my crazy neighbors down the street are feeding them cat food so they don't bother me--I hope they don't stop! Good job for 2 days of work!

 

[jovial_cynic]

With no artificial light or heat, what kind of egg production should I expect to see from my birds this time of year? During the spring and summer, I was averaging 5 or 6 a week per bird. I'm lucky if I see one a week these days.

Is that normal?

Also, should I expect their food consumption to increase or decrease during the colder months?

 

[digitS']

You are at about 47° northern latitude in Lacey.

Sunrise there will be 7:55 a.m. & Sunset at 4:25 p.m. on the 21st. Then we will all "turn the corner" and begin slowly to get a little more daylight.

It probably doesn't help to say so but with only 8 1/2 hours of sunlight every day, you might count yourself lucky to get that one egg each week.

My experience and reading makes me think that chickens are eating about one-third more feed at freezing temperatures than they are thru the Summer. You can look at this thread on Cold Weather Feeding where I explored this a little with other BYC'ers. It is well below freezing here right now but the most important thing in the way of feeding I can think to do for the birds is to make sure they have plenty to eat.

You can put a light in their coop, it should be just enuf light to read a newspaper by. You can then start to lengthen their days. They are spending an awful lot of time on their roosts right now with only 8 1/2 hours of sunlight.

If you don't want to install a light - it won't kill them and they should start to produce again in late Winter.

Steve

 

[destorieswind]

are those colors on the egg or dirt?
really cool chickens

 

[jovial_cynic]

Quote:
Dirt.

Thanks! I think my chickens are beautiful. Except when they're molting, during which they are hideous.

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Hey jovial welcome aboard!!

I got one word of warning for ya! Two hens are NEVER enough!

My DH started with three little babies and a sweet little coop. We're on coop 3.0 and up to 11 chickens!!

Be afraid be very afraid this gets addictive very quickly!! The chickens the forum......