HELP!! - 7 Degrees in NW Georgia!!

[Sjisty]

We just put an extra layer of shavings down in the coops. Tonight it's going to get in the mid 20's here, which is the coldest we've had for 3 years. I'm not worried about water freezing, because it won't stay below freezing tomorrow. After all this is Florida, and I keep telling myself that, but it's cold out there even now! My daughter is laughing at me because it's already in the 20s in Texas where she lives.

See, this cold weather is getting me off subject! Anyway, the chickens will bunch together and keep themselves warm. If you're home tomorrow, I'd just change their water every couple of hours to keep it from freezing solid. They can peck through a small film of ice on the surface.

Crazy weather - by Thursday, it's supposed to be 81 degrees here!

 

[YlwBrchHobbyFrm]

It's tough when you have animals who are not used to the cold, nor have been given the opportunity to acclimate slowly. This morning we had -30 with -50 windchill, but with the steady cold we've had, my chickens have been able to adjust and are doing just fine.

As long as they have roosts where they can get up on off of the ground, they will keep on another warm. Try giving them some cracked corn in the afternoon so it can digest overnight; cracked corn digests more slowly and produces more energy (like having a little heater going on inside) . I also like to give my chickens warm oatmeal with a healthy shake of cayenne pepper in the mornings. Cayenne helps with circulation. And definitely bring warm water out twice a day. I use rubber feed pans because if they do freeze, they're really easy to get the frozen water out of (I smash them against the ground and the ice pops right out).

If you'd like any other ideas on winter chicken keeping for future reference, I've written a helpful article here:
http://yellowbirchhobbyfarm.blogspot.com/2013/11/combat-cold-lets-talk-winter-chicken.html

Good luck to you and your chickens! I'm sure all will be just fine- it sounds like you've taken the proper steps

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

Yea, I've already had to change the water out there once today. It froze all the way through in the red rim. The wind is so cold here!! Our wind chill is below zero!! You can't go outside without your hands, head, and face covered up. BRRR!
I don't know how people up north put up with worse weather than what we've got right now.

That being said, I'll also certainly be complaining during those humid summer days we southern states are famous for...

 

[Viollettt]

Quote:

Hey there. I saw your other post in the GA thread and just saw this one. Sounds like you are doing great keeping them warmer. For the future I wanted to tell you I don't buy any hay/straw anymore. I just use all the leaves I can get from my trees and others raked up leaves. I got lucky this week because someone left a truckload of them across the street from me. My husband and I spent 3 hours yesterday getting them all. We spread them out all over their run. They are so happy with those leaves. I use the deep litter method anyway and just keep adding to it. It's like a very thick carpet. Warm and soft.

Thats a great idea! I'll have to try that next time.

I should have said that THEY spread them out all over the run. I put it in with a wheelbarrow and leave it in a pile. Who needs a gym when you have chickens. They play Queen of the Pile. Hilarious, too.

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

Haha, yup. I do a lot of exercise purely related to chickens! If this keeps up, I wont have to try to lose the winter weight, lol. And yes, chickens are highly entertaining.

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

It's tough when you have animals who are not used to the cold, nor have been given the opportunity to acclimate slowly. This morning we had -30 with -50 windchill, but with the steady cold we've had, my chickens have been able to adjust and are doing just fine.

As long as they have roosts where they can get up on off of the ground, they will keep on another warm. Try giving them some cracked corn in the afternoon so it can digest overnight; cracked corn digests more slowly and produces more energy (like having a little heater going on inside) . I also like to give my chickens warm oatmeal with a healthy shake of cayenne pepper in the mornings. Cayenne helps with circulation. And definitely bring warm water out twice a day. I use rubber feed pans because if they do freeze, they're really easy to get the frozen water out of (I smash them against the ground and the ice pops right out).

If you'd like any other ideas on winter chicken keeping for future reference, I've written a helpful article here:
http://yellowbirchhobbyfarm.blogspot.com/2013/11/combat-cold-lets-talk-winter-chicken.html

Good luck to you and your chickens! I'm sure all will be just fine- it sounds like you've taken the proper steps

VERY Informative article. Thanks for sharing!

 

[luvmypets]

It was 7 degrees all day today we have to broodys. Ones eggs are due in three days. She has a heat lamp on her.

 

[luvmypets]

The one mama is in a secluded box in the stall ( we use horse stalls) which has 20 or so chickens. The other is in a nest box. Also the mama has a heat lamp.

 

[pdirt]

Probably I'm too late here, but how about taking a freezer ziplock, filling it with very hot water and placing it in the waterer? It will radiate heat for a bit longer than otherwise.

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

Probably I'm too late here, but how about taking a freezer ziplock, filling it with very hot water and placing it in the waterer? It will radiate heat for a bit longer than otherwise.

great idea. I'll try that next time.