I hate this polar vortex!

[pamelajean]

So excited - its supposed to get above freezing later this week here!!!

And to those of you battling the -40°F (or worse), I cannot imagine! We've been in the single digits here through the past 3-4 weeks and I've been worried enough at that! I've learned though that my feathered friends are just fine at these temps. They do appreciate though when I dig out snow tunnels through the yard for them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Pics?

 

[DucksOhio]

So excited - its supposed to get above freezing later this week here!!!

And to those of you battling the -40°F (or worse), I cannot imagine! We've been in the single digits here through the past 3-4 weeks and I've been worried enough at that! I've learned though that my feathered friends are just fine at these temps. They do appreciate though when I dig out snow tunnels through the yard for them.

Hallelujah!
Hopefully that warmup will move to Ohio soon.

 

[arrowti]

It's been getting down the -10s at night here, barely above 0 during the day for over a week. Tomorrow and Thursday it will warm up a little BUT we are supposed to get a major storm on Thursday and then back to freezing.

Ducks have been okay. They've shown absolutely 0 interest in going outside, however, and stay in all day. A little frost on their heads and butts from them drinking water, but no frostbite. Helps that they tuck their feet in their feathers when they lie down.

Chickens have been worse off, frostbitten combs, huge fights since they have no interest in going outside and I think they're getting stir crazy.

Hope it ends soon!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope it ends soon too you all up north have really had it bad.

 

[onaharley]

Getting ready to head out for nightly routine.....they will come out for a second then right back in the pen!

 

[iluvsedward]

I keep reading about ventilation and heat panels, two things i know nothing about! But ill bite, where do you buy a heat panel from? I would love to get some heat to my two poor little call hens, even if it wasnt much, they dont need much as their house is filled with straw and mostly draft-free. I know they can manage without it, but id rather have them be comfortable and not just "managing".

 

[onaharley]

I keep reading about ventilation and heat panels, two things i know nothing about! But ill bite, where do you buy a heat panel from? I would love to get some heat to my two poor little call hens, even if it wasnt much, they dont need much as their house is filled with straw and mostly draft-free. I know they can manage without it, but id rather have them be comfortable and not just "managing".

Great questions! I am unsure about where to buy the heat panel myself, I am assuming amazon or even your local farm store might have or even direct you in the right way. I have a 250 whatt red light hooked up about a foot and half above their main living quarters. Their main quarter is large...like a 4x6 foot area. So if they choose they can lay under the light or just outside of the lighted area. Since your guys are on the smaller side a heat panel might work great for you.

Ventilation is key with ducks, mine currently have 4gauge plastic wrapped all the way around their pen. I took the top plastic off around the top about 6 inches down and 16 inches across (my pen is 10x10 foot with studs every 16 inches) I staggered each opening. It has provided great ventilation without allowing cold winds to come. I hope this helps.

 

[iluvsedward]

Great questions! I am unsure about where to buy the heat panel myself, I am assuming amazon or even your local farm store might have or even direct you in the right way. I have a 250 whatt red light hooked up about a foot and half above their main living quarters. Their main quarter is large...like a 4x6 foot area. So if they choose they can lay under the light or just outside of the lighted area. Since your guys are on the smaller side a heat panel might work great for you.

Ventilation is key with ducks, mine currently have 4gauge plastic wrapped all the way around their pen. I took the top plastic off around the top about 6 inches down and 16 inches across (my pen is 10x10 foot with studs every 16 inches) I staggered each opening. It has provided great ventilation without allowing cold winds to come. I hope this helps.

Thanks so much! For electrical reasons, i was choosing between a heat lamp or my water de-icer, and chose the de-icer because i ruled that there is no fire danger. However with something like a heat panel, i dont have to worry as much. Or i could just get a splitter for my extension cord and hook up a lamp i didnt think that through. Would definitely be cheaper... maybe in the future i can get a fancy panel

Eta: do you have pictures of your coop ventilation?

 

[onaharley]

Thanks so much! For electrical reasons, i was choosing between a heat lamp or my water de-icer, and chose the de-icer because i ruled that there is no fire danger. However with something like a heat panel, i dont have to worry as much. Or i could just get a splitter for my extension cord and hook up a lamp i didnt think that through. Would definitely be cheaper... maybe in the future i can get a fancy panel

Eta: do you have pictures of your coop ventilation?

I can give you a pic tomorrow evening!!