Illinois...

[Justso]

Does anyone here live near the northwest suburbs of Illinois? I really need a pal to talk chickens with, and my husband doesn't really engage.

Hi I'm in DuPage County but would love to hear all! Please share what you have and what's going on in your coop.

 

[Justso]

Cant believe I found this before @cavemanrich
View attachment 2523199

I really want these.

A friend of mine just sent me this, she asked and I'm wondering too, wouldn't they get their feet caught?

 

[Molpet]

I really want these.

A friend of mine just sent me this, she asked and I'm wondering too, wouldn't they get their feet caught?
View attachment 2524134

Hawks have been known to reach in for lunch

 

[EllieDeg]

I have 6 chickens who stopped laying about two weeks ago. I was shocked to find these eggs out there today! Its way colder now than it was 2 weeks ago. I'm guessing it must be that I switched back to higher protein feed last Friday because it was going to be so cold.

This is my first winter with chickens and I've lost sleep a couple of nights worrying about them I guess they are fine! I use the deep litter method and haven't used any heat yet. Everytime I check on them they aren't huddled together or even have their feathers fluffed out I was expecting to need to bring them into our garage Monday. Anyone else still not using heat?

 

[Faraday40]

I have 6 chickens who stopped laying about two weeks ago. I was shocked to find these eggs out there today! Its way colder now than it was 2 weeks ago. I'm guessing it must be that I switched back to higher protein feed last Friday because it was going to be so cold.

This is my first winter with chickens and I've lost sleep a couple of nights worrying about them I guess they are fine! I use the deep litter method and haven't used any heat yet. Everytime I check on them they aren't huddled together or even have their feathers fluffed out I was expecting to need to bring them into our garage Monday. Anyone else still not using heat?

I have 2 coops. My main coop (Orpingtons) is not heated. Even when we had that polar vortex with -40'F temps, they were fine. I do have a heater inside the bucket waterer to keep it just above freezing. That is more for my comfort than theirs. Ventilation to prevent moisture build up is more important than heat.

My 2nd coop is for my "useless bantams." (aka seramas) That one is in the garage and has a small wall panel heater. That breed is not made for cold temps. I admit they are inside right now. A few seramas are in my basement and a few are staying inside a neighbor's house.

 

[Molpet]

I have 6 chickens who stopped laying about two weeks ago. I was shocked to find these eggs out there today! Its way colder now than it was 2 weeks ago. I'm guessing it must be that I switched back to higher protein feed last Friday because it was going to be so cold.

This is my first winter with chickens and I've lost sleep a couple of nights worrying about them I guess they are fine! I use the deep litter method and haven't used any heat yet. Everytime I check on them they aren't huddled together or even have their feathers fluffed out I was expecting to need to bring them into our garage Monday. Anyone else still not using heat?

I have 4 coops and 60 + chickens and 30 turkeys. Never have heated and hens are fine. Straight comb Roosters do get frost bite on the combs. I am switching to pea comb to see if that helps.

 

[SnootyHen]

I have 6 chickens who stopped laying about two weeks ago. I was shocked to find these eggs out there today! Its way colder now than it was 2 weeks ago. I'm guessing it must be that I switched back to higher protein feed last Friday because it was going to be so cold.

This is my first winter with chickens and I've lost sleep a couple of nights worrying about them I guess they are fine! I use the deep litter method and haven't used any heat yet. Everytime I check on them they aren't huddled together or even have their feathers fluffed out I was expecting to need to bring them into our garage Monday. Anyone else still not using heat?

I have 12 pullets (7 are 11 months and 5 are 4.5 months old) in the coop. No heat, no electricity. They're doing fine. My Leghorn's comb is a little purple at the tips but I think she got it in snow trying to eat it. I did cover 3/4 of their run in plastic sheeting to prevent the wind and drifting snow and I throw straw in the run and coop so they have something better to walk on than frozen PDZs but otherwise, they're just chickening along like nothing has changed except they miss grass.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

Should I worry about his comb? He doesn't like to be photographed so it's tough to get a good picture..

 

[Molpet]

Should I worry about his comb? And @Molpet Since you just mentioned it lol. He doesn't like to be photographed so it's tough to get a good picture..
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View attachment 2524687

Yeah those points don't look too good, not bad yet but on the way.
So far my pea comb half dark Cornish are looking great

 

[SnootyHen]

My Leghorn's is a bit more purple and the responses to the thread I posted said it's not too bad and should be okay