Illinois...

[Molpet]

No, we do not backslop. We tried the never ended bucket method at at first (take some add some to replace) and it got GROSS! After that I chose to go to the polar opposite and start with a clean container each time. I was thinking about growing a mother culture like sourdough and adding a small amount to each batch, but that may get gross too. We get fairly good results with a 3 day ferment. Not sure if the 1/2 gallon containers will be different than the quart jars in results after 3 days. We will have to see. I could always go 4 days if needed by just adding another container to the cycle.
I do add pepper to it sometimes. I like to just mix the pepper right into the scratch mix. We also will sometimes just chop peppers and give them to the birds. I may start playing with turmeric too. I hear/read that it has a lot of health benefits for the birds (and us).

Only need 12 to 24 hrs with back slop, or it could get gross and the birds think so too

 

[BReeder!]

Only need 12 to 24 hrs with back slop, or it could get gross and the birds think so too

That's what scares me. What may bits am I talking from the old batch and adding to the new batch. Ideally I just add healthy probiotics, natural yeasts, and other good stuff; but there's bound to be mild spores, pathogens, and other nasty stuff. I just have peace of mind starting fresh and waiting it out for a few days. That's just what I am comfortable with - not saying your method is any worse or less effective.

 

[Molpet]

That's what scares me. What may bits am I talking from the old batch and adding to the new batch. Ideally I just add healthy probiotics, natural yeasts, and other good stuff; but there's bound to be mild spores, pathogens, and other nasty stuff. I just have peace of mind starting fresh and waiting it out for a few days. That's just what I am comfortable with - not saying your method is any worse or less effective.

Best to do what you are comfortable with

 

[HushMeadows]

I love how my fluffy butts have become so popular here. They just keep popping back up.

I absolutely adore their fluffies! That's is one of multiple reasons I have chosen Orpingtons.

 

[Faraday40]

Going down to -6'F tonight. Brrrrrr
Teddy & Xansie + her chicks are in DD's room. The little heater inside the "useless bantam" coop was switched to high last weekend, but this is the 1st real test. The waterer inside the coop was partially frozen by evening. I hope the OEG, serama, & other silkie will do OK tonight. I keep telling myself they'll be fine...... but then I feel like bringing all of them inside.

I took some pics of our handsome Teddy today:


The chicks will be 8 weeks on Sat.

 

[BReeder!]

Going down to -6'F tonight. Brrrrrr
Teddy & Xansie + her chicks are in DD's room. The little heater inside the "useless bantam" coop was switched to high last weekend, but this is the 1st real test. The waterer inside the coop was partially frozen by evening. I hope the OEG, serama, & other silkie will do OK tonight. I keep telling myself they'll be fine...... but then I feel like bringing all of them inside.

I took some pics of our handsome Teddy today:
View attachment 1652425 View attachment 1652428 View attachment 1652426 View attachment 1652429 View attachment 1652430 View attachment 1652427

The chicks will be 8 weeks on Sat.
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I'm freaking out a bit too. Not home yet because I had dinner with a friend in the city after work. On the Metra now headed home. I think I am going to put a heat lamp or at least a 60 watt incandescent bulb in the shed/coop. There's not much of a draft in there, but it's not insulated. There's a light socket just above the roosts, I think a 60 watt should help keep the ambient temp there a bit warmer for the birds. Currently its a low wattage LED bulb - no noticeable heat output. The problem is I didn't cover the bulbs because the LED bulbs are plastic and not likely to break or shatter. So I'll need to add a protective housing of some sort... and I'm not getting home until 10:00 I'm sure, even later if I need to stop and pick up some housing. Only Walmart will be open, not sure what I will be able to find there.

 

[Molpet]

After the freezing rain Tuesday till yesterday morning and then the temp drop 2 of 8 boys have frostbite on waddles... Always happens when 100% humidity and just below freezing, usually in early spring.
I have had no frostbite at-17.

 

[Faraday40]

@BReeder!
You have winter hardy breeds & no big rooster combs. Good ventilation, draft free, dry, & a few chickens to cuddle with and they'll be good. The seramas are not made for Chicago winters. Very small, not much body mass, light thin feathers w/o excess down, tall thin combs. Seramas are made for hot humid climates, so that's why I'm nervous.

I checked on the main coop & all were well. I did play a little musical roosts to put my Sebright between 2 big orps and forced the Leghorn to sleep inside the insulated coop instead of the run. I only heat the chicken waterer - not the coop.

You'll want to check on the chickens when you get home, but you probably won't need to heat. Just make sure they all have cuddle buddies & that you don't see any crystals condensing inside the coop or feel any drafts blowing on them.

 

[BReeder!]

@BReeder!
You have winter hardy breeds & no big rooster combs. Good ventilation, draft free, dry, & a few chickens to cuddle with and they'll be good. The seramas are not made for Chicago winters. Very small, not much body mass, light thin feathers w/o excess down, tall thin combs. Seramas are made for hot humid climates, so that's why I'm nervous.

I checked on the main coop & all were well. I did play a little musical roosts to put my Sebright between 2 big orps and forced the Leghorn to sleep inside the insulated coop instead of the run. I only heat the chicken waterer - not the coop.

You'll want to check on the chickens when you get home, but you probably won't need to heat. Just make sure they all have cuddle buddies & that you don't see any crystals condensing inside the coop or feel any drafts blowing on them.

Thanks for calming me a bit. This is really cold weather now, and it's a first for me dealing with chickens in this this kind of cold. I will likely need to put the Orps on a roost. They have been sleeping together on top of the nesting boxes. Hoping they'll be able to cuddle with the others all together. If it's problematic, I'll let them sleep in the larger nesting box together rather than on top of it.

 

[BReeder!]

I am home and checked on the ladies. They are doing fine. Had to refill their feed and found an egg. One of the Brahmas seems to be laying later in the day. Wife went earlier and gathered 3 eggs and then this one wad laid later. It was not frozen surprisingly. I think one of the hens was sitting on it because they like cuddling up under the nest boxes, which is also where they have been laying mostly.
The shed is certainly warmer than outside. It is not insulated and there's only 7 hens in a 12'x10' shed (sectioned into only a 4'x10' portion of it). While I do need to add more ventilation still, there is no condensation or frost in the shed, not even on the window or the metal tools I have in there. Seems like the ladies will be fine without an added heat source.