Going to tractor supply today.....

[Brooks_]

You have a LOT of winter ahead of you and a lot of hauling of extra waterers and changing out of frozen ones.

I just can't wrap my head around that. I would probably give up if I really had a winter.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Maine

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I just can't wrap my head around that. I would probably give up if I really had a winter.

I want to laugh - but look at my profile. Its 40 here, wet, and wind at 10-12mph out of the North. I'm seriously considering long sleeves and a thin pair of gloves. Already in sweat pants...

Seriously, a heater for the water source would be my top priority in Maine, after the water source itself.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Maybe. Kind of pricey, and I don't want electrical cords everywhere.

Just make sure if you opt for no electric that you are avid about checking your chickens waterers several times I day. We had a full month of below zero weather here and even with replacing waterers 3-4 times a day I was still having waterers and buckets that were completely frozen solid. It's VERY easy to become dehydrated in the winter and dehydrated chickens+freezing temps is not a good combination. We moved from a much warmer climate into our new house right at the beginning of the subzero temperature month and I was not prepared for the cold cold. This summer I had the whole barns electric updated and opted to buy heated waterers and stock tank heaters. So far no frozen water and it's been down to 14 degrees here already.

 

[Brooks_]

I want to laugh

It's no joke. I'm in jeans, flannel, and my light blue Mr. Mom robe. 59 F, drizzly, overcast, nasty.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

It's no joke. I'm in jeans, flannel, and my light blue Mr. Mom robe. 59 F, drizzly, overcast, nasty.

59? I'll laugh. I'm not a good person.

Come late January/February, I wish you a hot cup of coffee (or three) each morning - the human version of a heated waterer.

 

[NatJ]

Just make sure if you opt for no electric that you are avid about checking your chickens waterers several times I day. We had a full month of below zero weather here and even with replacing waterers 3-4 times a day I was still having waterers and buckets that were completely frozen solid. It's VERY easy to become dehydrated in the winter and dehydrated chickens+freezing temps is not a good combination.

I've dealt with times like that, too. I don't know whether heated waterers did not yet exist, or whether my parents were just unwilling to buy them, but I've certainly carried enough gallons of water through snowy winters!

I also like to serve them wet chicken food: put chicken food + water in a dish and let it soak up just as much water as it can (5-10 minutes), then put it out for the chickens to eat. If they stop eating, bring the rest back into the house to stay thawed and offer it again later.

They will eat it much faster that way, as compared with going back & forth between the feeder and waterer. That means they get more water into them before the waterer freezes again. I still provide liquid water a minimum of twice a day, and leave the dry feed available at all times, but I do think a good cropful of wet feed in the morning and evening helps them get enough.

 

[Brooks_]

59? I'll laugh. I'm not a good person.

Come late January/February, I wish you a hot cup of coffee (or three) each morning - the human version of a heated waterer.

Yes. I know it will get worse, but I am a winter wimp.

 

[DickMidnight]

Hey all, I'm going to TSC today. I have a gift card for their store as well. I want to get something useful. What do you think I should get? Right now I need:

- fake eggs
- egg cartons
- hanging feeder
- hanging waterer
- boredom toys

But all of that would cost at least $50, and I don't want to spend that kind of money right now. Please help.

food and water above all else.

if you had the same $50 and had to choose between food and water or toys for yourself, which would you choose?

 

[Brooks_]

food and water above all else.

if you had the same $50 and had to choose between food and water or toys for yourself, which would you choose?

Presumably OP will buy food anyway and have water at home. Though I agree that keeping water in a liquid state should be a priority.