Hudson Valley NY *chat thread*

[laura760]

You might also want to try Tractor Supply. I saw one on clearance there after I bought mine and it looked like a lot for the money.

 

[JerseyHen]

Thank you Laura760, I will check out that site next. I do already expect that I will have to make some of my own modifications on almost any coop I purchase, so I will keep your experience in mind and will definitely let you know which coop I decide on. Thank you again for the warm welcome! I am excited to be a part of this great group!

You could consider buying an inexpensive shed and modify it. You only need to add a roost bar and a nesting box. If you want an enclosed run you can do that any number of ways and a pop door can be cut and hinged easy enough. If you get a shed bigger than you need, you will have room to expand your flock, or you can divide it and use the "people" space to store feed and supplies.

 

[MeggyC]

Thanks JerseyHen! You are the third person to recommend that very idea to me TODAY! It sounds like a great and inexpensive way to start, since I already have a half empty shed to use! Thanks again!

Also, has anyone ever applied for a variance? Our property has been agricultural for years- now I find out today that they recently re-zoned it as medium density residential (!!!) because commercial developers bought the lot behind ours. The developers are not going to be building as their plans got denied and I live on 6 acres so I see no reason why I couldn't have chickens. What do you guys think? The regulations for R1 don't mention anything about keeping fowl.

 

[MeggyC]

What do you guys do to keep the chickens warm in the winter? I searched the site, but since you are all local you would know what our winters are like. I expect that my chicks will be heading to their outdoor home just in time for fall/winter weather. what are some warming strategies you all use? thanks again!

 

[laura760]

I'm wondering about that too. I read somewhere that the heat is more of an issue than the cold, but after this past winter, I'm a bit concerned. Looking forward to the responses.

 

[JerseyHen]

Check out the right to farm rules for NY. For instance, in NJ I have right to farm as long as I have 5 acres. That might be a start. Also, I would think they should have notified you if they were rezoning your property. So, if you had been ag and over the acreage for RTF, then you should be able to get them to rezone you back to ag. I would think that you would be due a variance at minimum. That said, many urban areas allow a few hens, so you might be fine regardless. Check your townships ordinance.

As to the winter issue. I do nothing special besides an extra bag of bedding on the floor. The biggest problem with cold is condensation and drafts. Condensation causes a rapid loss of body temp and bad frostbite, drafts will cause rapid hypothermia. If they can stay dry and out of a draft they will be ok. I have no heat and about 6 square feet of open ventilation all winter long. The openings are at the very top of the coop in the eaves. It allows for ventilation of moist air, but without a draft. I have seen coop designs for the wintery midwest that are long and completely open (fencing only) on one of the short ends. I think they place the open end parallel to the prevailing wind so they have massive ventilation, but no draft when they are roosting in the far end of the coop. This past winter, you all know how bad it was, I had only minor problems with frostbite combs on my leghorns and legbars (huuuuuuuge combs and wattles). It was only because the knuckleheads practically dipped their heads into the waterers and I couldn't get them dry enough (they are skittish to begin with, let alone when a human with papertowels comes at them to get them dry). I didn't even use vaseline or anything. I have one rooster in an open air tractor that has a "box" on one end. He sleeps in the corner away from the door. Not a bit of frostbite. In fact, he was one of the best looking when spring came around.

Use of lights, insulation (which they will eat if they can), heatlamps, etc, is a detriment in my opinion. It is expensive and causes them to get used to a warmer coop and then they get really cold when they go out. Keep them dry and out of the draft when they roost. They will be fine. If they get wet (like from wet snow) bring them in and dry them off. Wet feathers do not insulate at all. I think certain breeds might need supplemental heat (seramas, silkies, etc), but then again, I have friends with all of them and they do not use heat.

One variable that you may not have though... I have 40 chickens in the big coop (10 foot ceilings, 100 square). They make a LOT of heat, and humidity. If your coop is the right size for the number of birds and is well ventilated you will be fine though. My bantams are in a low ceiling coop, it is only 4 feet high. I close a lot of the vents in the winter, but they do ok.

 

[MeggyC]

Thanks again Jersey! That is extremely helpful advice because after my post yesterday I already started researching solar heat sources/panels lol. Now I know (thanks to you) that I was only making a big (and unnecessary) project for myself. I am praying that this winter will not be as bad as last years, making it a little easier for me to get a good grasp on raising chickens for the first time. I am going to inspect the shed in the next few days though to see what kind of adjustments need to be made for winter (rather do it while its nice out still). Thanks again for the incredibly helpful advice (as always)!

 

[JerseyHen]

I do have a solar light in my coop though. You won't believe how often you get caught out there after dark.

 

[carousel86]

I just have a light in my coop at night not all night. I think it's 12 hours day light they need that way they will laying eggs in the winter. if they don't have even light, they will not lay enough eggs. We have the light on a timer at 4:30 until 8:00 pm , they keep each other warm enough.

 

[Joanmcm]

No light and no heat all winter and we had eggs every day from each hen...even on the worst days. We heaped bedding on the floor and put feed bags stapled to the pen at roost level to ensure no drafts. Windows opened every day and closed at night.

They did get fermented food everyday to ensure they had enough water and food besides their automatic feeder and the heated waterer. They stayed to small area...their coop and a covered run. They were not big on walking on snow.

The fermented feed was made from layer feed we get from Lightening Tree Farms in Millbrook, NY.