Ideas for Blizzards

[Welshies]

Your setup is beautiful, but if the temps will be cold, move their food and water inside. They need to eat to generate body heat.

 

[3bird]

Your setup is beautiful, but if the temps will be cold, move their food and water inside. They need to eat to generate body heat.

Even if it's just for overnight?

 

[Welshies]

Even if it's just for overnight?

Yes, I suggest it. They'll be warmer because of it.
But it is up to you

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't put food and water inside over night just way to messy trying to clean up frozen water and food. I keep it right outside during the daylight hrs and they come out and eat and have the choice of going back inside to get out of temps and wind. I use heated buckets and bowls since I feed fermented food, But I have tried the food and water inside just isn't worth it. I have been doing this ever since 2004 and haven't lost anyone yet from not having food and water over night. It's dark inside their houses anyway they are asleep.

 

[aart]

Gorgeous setup.....is there human access to the house?

 

[3bird]

Gorgeous setup.....is there human access to the house?

Thanks! It's working okay for us.

There is a three-door opening in the back for maintenance, clean-out and mealworm feeding.

 

[SueT]

Do any of you far northerners have bantams? This is my first year w bantams (chickens) and the Sebright especially seems most reluctant to come out of the coop. We've been having lows in teens, highs in 20's and 30's, but next week it will be single digit lows, highs in teens. (Fahrenheit)

 

[aart]

Thanks! It's working okay for us.
There is a three-door opening in the back for maintenance, clean-out and mealworm feeding.

Excellent structure design...that's a great 'dutch' door.
Good that you are thinking to bolster your run protection from wind and snow,
so they have more opportunity to eat and drink.
I've never had ducks, don't want 'em because of the wet-mess,
but agree having water in the coop/house would not be a first choice.

I remember seeing some duck vids where his ducks were susceptible to frostbit feet and one actually froze to the ground. hey seem impervious to the cold, but not totally.

Best of cLuck(quack)!

 

[PirateGirl]

I saw someone mention they put the food and water right near the door in poor weather. I realized I too do this. The food and water go right at the bottom of the ramp and under the coop (which is raised and sheltered.

Also I want to say you are doing the right thing. You have lots of advice. You have an arsenal of things you can try. Every storm, duck, and setup is different, so yes, keep observing your flock and modify things as needed. Only you can best figure out what works for your unique situation, and now you have the experiences of others to guide you.

One more thing to add, check for eggs more often! I've had a few frozen ones this winter. I either missed seeing them in the dark (it seems there's never sun these days) or the cold really just got to em.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do any of you far northerners have bantams? This is my first year w bantams (chickens) and the Sebright especially seems most reluctant to come out of the coop. We've been having lows in teens, highs in 20's and 30's, but next week it will be single digit lows, highs in teens. (Fahrenheit)

I live in NC mountains and the week we had 11" of snow and temps down into teens my OEGB didn't come outside I ended up putting food and water inside for them. The last few days we have had wind chills down into singles and they all came outside so now I am pretty sure it was the snow and ice that kept them inside.
Try going to the Sebright thread and asking.https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/sebrights.1192619/#post-18856046