How to keep the eggs from freezing?

[clinkski]

I live in northern Vermont and this is my first winter with chickens and I need to know how I can prevent the eggs from freezing. I leave for work at 6:30 am and don't get home until 4:30/5:00 pm. My coop is not insulated and the nest boxes jut out from the main roosting area. I'd appreciate any and all advice. Thanks!

 

[shortstaque]

Good question. For the time being I am at home, but wonder how often I should check for eggs to avoid freezing. Maybe a good guage would be if the water inside the coop isn't frozen, the eggs shouldn't be either? Extra bedding in the nest boxes may help. Anyone have an answer for us?

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

Heat lamps over the nesting boxes?
Close off the nesting area with tarps and keep a low wat bulb in that area?
An elec heater turn to low setting hung from the roof?

These are just Ideas Good luck yall

 

[woodmort]

Put a lot of straw in the nesting boxes (or hay but shavings seem to pack down and not insulate) then hope one of the birds stays on the eggs to keep them warm. Even so, you will probably have some freeze. I habitually collect twice a day in the cold weather and still lose a few. You can scramble or use a frozen egg for baking but, IMO, the quality deteriorates too much for frying.

 

[rungirl]

This is what I'm going to try... I use a light on a timer inside the coop for a few hours in the morning and evening. They usually finish laying around noon. So, I'm thinking of letting them wake up at sunrise without the light, which will be later in the winter and then increasing the lighting in the evening hours until, say 10 PM. My thinking is that this may get them to start laying a little later in the morning and then if I get home around 5, they won't be in the nest box as long. If it really is a problem, I think a regular 60 watt light bulb near the nest box should throw off some heat also. I prefer to stay away from using a heat lamp. I don't want to burn down the coop.


Lisa

 

[SmartyChick]

Just my 2 cents: I collect a couple times a day all year long. In the winter, sure some eggs freeze, but I have never had a problem with a frozen egg, just don't use it right away. I let them thaw a little in the fridge for a day or so before using them. They've never looked or tasted any different to me.
ETA: as far as I'm concerned a heat lamp in the coop in a big no no. heat lamp=fire

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
You might want to reread this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=411434&p=1 about how someone almost burned down their coop using a light bulb.

 

[TajMahalChickens]

I have a small coop with 3 1/2 inches of insulation. My coop stays about 40 degrees in the winter, sometimes it has reached 50 degrees. I don't put in a heat lamp and I only have had four hens in the 4x8 coop. There body heat just stayed trapped inside and kept it above freezing. I wasn't cheep to build, but it is quite nice. No frozen eggs or water

 

[hitnspit]

hello vermonter. Have not run across many on here. From Vermont myself now living in Monkton. But anyways I have had chickens for 3 years now and only one frozen egg. That egg had fallen or was layed on the floor. They will keep them warm for you. Jim s

 

[MAGGIE2014]

I have an ole green house that we converted in to a coop, but alot of drafts and cracks, this is the first time I got a frozen egg, its 15 here today and I cant keep up with the demand so I dont want frozen eggs, I have a water that has a heater in it, so the water stays good but I also have 2 ducks and the duck egg is what froze to where it cracked the shell, I won't sell cracked eggs. Any other suggestions.