INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Faraday40]

Going down to -6'F tonight. Brrrrrr (wind chills below -20'F)
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.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Going down to -6'F tonight. Brrrrrr (wind chills below -20'F)
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.

Great pics! BRRR for sure!

 

[Faraday40]

I went out at 2am & brought the remaining bantams inside. They weren't happy being crammed into one cage (like battery hens) but they were at least warm. I kept them inside until 11am when the temp got up to 2'F. (Today's high will be 5) They'll be coming inside again tonight because the temps will be about the same. No signs of frostbite but as I recall it may take a couple days to look white or gray. They're in the run now eating & scratching around. I really wish they'd go up inside the heated coop area to warm up.

 

[weezerfish]

Hey all! I'm back after a loooong BYC absence. Upcoming weather got me thinking about things I need to do in prep. Figured I'd pop back in and see what others doing to get ready. I've got a new batch of chickens, 5 barred rocks and 5 silver laced wyandottes. They're all about 6 months old and seem to be doing really well, even with the cold temps this past week. It's nice to not have to worry quite so much about their combs. Had RIRs and black sex links last time around. Never had any major frostbite problems...just a few of the tips. Wednesday looks pretty nasty though with the daytime high still sitting below zero. Think I'm going to pass on putting any heat on them but take a good hard look at where any drafts might be. Also plan to add some extra shavings to the coop today. Maybe get some cracked corn for late afternoon snack. Any other tips anyone can think of?

 

[Faraday40]

Not planned, but I have a bunch of "house chickens" right now.

Our "useless chickens" (aka bantams) were in a heated coop in the screened patio. They did great until Thurs night when the panel heater couldn't keep the water liquid. I got pretty worried. Since 2 are seramas & 2 are serama chicks, I brought them inside. The OEG has a tall comb, so she also came inside. Well I couldn't leave the silkie & the orp chick out by themselves, so now all of the "useless chickens" are inside. They're going to stay inside until it warms up.

Then I had a Cupcake with a scratch down her side - probably from a roo's foot. She healed up well & I can't even find her scratch anymore. She "should" be back outside, but I thought it would be cruel to put her outside during the snowstorm last weekend. And now, it's below zero temps after spending 2 weeks in a warm house.

Yesterday, I found Blizzard with a peck injury / blood by her comb. She only needed a clean up & some Veterycin .... but it's way too cold for her to have any moisture on her head. I also want to make sure it stays clean, so she'll stay inside until it warms up.

I'm not happy with all the cages of chickens in the house, but at least I know that these birds will not be getting frostbite this week. I'm also taking the time to give each bird a thorough pedicure..... and some cuddle time.

As far as the main coop, It's got ventilation & as draft free as I can get. The water has a heater to keep it liquid. My flock has been trapped inside the coop /run for months because of the hawks. They are enjoying the sunlight through the vinyl windows and dust bathing. I may make them some warm oatmeal & scratch grains as a special treat. I also plan to hang up some vegetable pinatas. Those have worked well in the past.

I'm getting eggs - but sadly many are found frozen.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Hey all! I'm back after a loooong BYC absence. Upcoming weather got me thinking about things I need to do in prep. Figured I'd pop back in and see what others doing to get ready. I've got a new batch of chickens, 5 barred rocks and 5 silver laced wyandottes. They're all about 6 months old and seem to be doing really well, even with the cold temps this past week. It's nice to not have to worry quite so much about their combs. Had RIRs and black sex links last time around. Never had any major frostbite problems...just a few of the tips. Wednesday looks pretty nasty though with the daytime high still sitting below zero. Think I'm going to pass on putting any heat on them but take a good hard look at where any drafts might be. Also plan to add some extra shavings to the coop today. Maybe get some cracked corn for late afternoon snack. Any other tips anyone can think of?

HEY! Welcome back!Only thing I can think of make sure your coop has roof line ventilation. Helps prevent frostbite, and ammonia buildup both of which can hurt your birds.

 

[weezerfish]

HEY! Welcome back!Only thing I can think of make sure your coop has roof line ventilation. Helps prevent frostbite, and ammonia buildup both of which can hurt your birds.

My ventilation was adequate the past two winters but I only had 6 chickens then. Hoping the extra 4 didn't put me over what my vents can handle. There's a pic below of the inside of my coop. I think that's what you mean by roofline ventilation, yes? At the right you can also see the end of a little sliver of a triangle vent that extends all the way to the front. What do you think about that upper roost bar? Too close to the triangle vent? Will the chickens move down one if its too drafty for them or is the urge to roost higher too much?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

My ventilation was adequate the past two winters but I only had 6 chickens then. Hoping the extra 4 didn't put me over what my vents can handle. There's a pic below of the inside of my coop. I think that's what you mean by roofline ventilation, yes? At the right you can also see the end of a little sliver of a triangle vent that extends all the way to the front. What do you think about that upper roost bar? Too close to the triangle vent? Will the chickens move down one if its too drafty for them or is the urge to roost higher too much?

View attachment 1654458

Should be ok, your birds are mature enough. Watch your Br's combs, they are small now but the combs do get bigger. The dominant hens will go to higher roosts. If you have any doubt at all, move the roost. I've learned to trust my instincts.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

My Maran hatched! Ive got 3 healthy chicks so far. 3 eggs are still possible but I'm not seeing internal pip or movement . My guess right out of the incubator is a trio. The 1st hatched has more size and build. Most outgoing and a bit bigger than his siblings. My other 2 are mostly black, the bigger chick has white eyebrows.
group photo and individual chicks

I have over a dozen leghorn and 1 OE locked down due 1/28.

 

[weezerfish]

Should be ok, your birds are mature enough. Watch your Br's combs, they are small now but the combs do get bigger. The dominant hens will go to higher roosts. If you have any doubt at all, move the roost. I've learned to trust my instincts.

So far, all ten of them have been squeezing onto the top roost. So nice when they get along! Lol! One of the BR ladies has a bigger comb than the rest of them. Was thinking maybe I got a little cockerel, but she hadn't started crowing. Was very certain she was a she when she squatted for me yesterday! Anyway, sounds like the rest of their combs may catch up.