It's 13 degrees outside...And I am worried

[RaZ]

I forgot to mention in my earlier posts...
A good tool to have in your coop is a remote thermometer. One that has a hygrometer. You'll be able to monitor temp and humidity. They are not all that expensive.

I'm a bit of a weather buff so I a few weather stations that monitor everything; temperature inside and out; humidity, barometer (air pressure); anemometer (wind speed); rainfall; etc. Remotes are stationed everywhere: coop; garage; pasture clearing; and even in the deep woods. Yes, I am a nerd.

 

[NHMountainMan]

@NHMountainMan , is this the waterer you have?

Yes - Very pleased with it so far. I will say that it's really well insulated so when you are filling it, don't get any water on the sliding interlocking mechanism, as it will freeze closed tightly. I've really needed to muscle it open to refill until I started being careful in filling.
Also - my chickens had never used the nipple waterers. But just like with dipping chicks beak in water - once one chicken figured it out - everyone had to come over to try for themselves. I just tapped on the nipple (which are red) and they lead pullet just had to try it.

 

[kcan2]

I will say that it's really well insulated so when you are filling it, don't get any water on the sliding interlocking mechanism, as it will freeze closed tightly. I've really needed to muscle it open to refill until I started being careful in filling

Thanks for the heads-up, I will remember that because "muscling" is not a personal strong point of mine... always good to know a product that works well the first time, thank you!

 

[Relleoms]

@NHMountainMan , is this the waterer you have?

@NHMountainMan & @kcan2 , I also have this waterer & love it, but one other quirk I’ve found-you must make sure the connection is absolutely dry before plugging back in or it will trip the circuit. Once a week I dump out all the water, rinse the unit inside & out and refill. But I find it’s extremely difficult not to get the connection wet. So just make sure everything is good & dry before plugging back in

 

[NHMountainMan]

@NHMountainMan & @kcan2 , I also have this waterer & love it, but one other quirk I’ve found-you must make sure the connection is absolutely dry before plugging back in or it will trip the circuit. Once a week I dump out all the water, rinse the unit inside & out and refill. But I find it’s extremely difficult not to get the connection wet. So just make sure everything is good & dry before plugging back in

haven't had that problem myself but it makes sense - I'll be more careful.

 

[Birdsong 82]

I forgot to mention in my earlier posts...
A good tool to have in your coop is a remote thermometer. One that has a hygrometer. You'll be able to monitor temp and humidity. They are not all that expensive.

I'm a bit of a weather buff so I a few weather stations that monitor everything; temperature inside and out; humidity, barometer (air pressure); anemometer (wind speed); rainfall; etc. Remotes are stationed everywhere: coop; garage; pasture clearing; and even in the deep woods. Yes, I am a nerd.

Well if your a nerd then your in good company. I keep constant watch on the weather because I'm a nerd and work. Sometimes have to the cloud cover for work. For s coop I think the most important Wouk be temp and humidity. Even with well below freezing temps there shouldn't be frostbite or really any issues as long as humidity isn't too high

 

[aart]

<raiseshand>Also a weather nerd!

 

[NHMountainMan]

<raiseshand>Also a weather nerd!

ditto - nerd here

 

[Kat2141]

Here is an inside shot of what we call 'The Palace'. I had our neighbours collect their fall leaves in two large feed bags. On really cold or snowy days I bring in a big bin of them and the chickens have a great time searching for bugs and digging through them all. I scatter some chicken scratch with them to add a little corn to their diet on those days as well. View attachment 1984502

I love "the Palace"! Last year I had bagged up some grass that I mowed in the hayfield after haying was done and offered that mid-winter... They LOVED it and the crickets that were in it. I actually let it dry well, just like we do with hay and then used a lawn sweeper to pick it up. It worked great, so did more for them this year. I'll wait until they have not had access to grass for a while... right now we have had snow but some thaws and they've had access to the grass in their pasture.

I give you lots of credit... not sure I would have outdoor critters if it were that cold all winter here. I can deal with NY cold but BRRRRR... you have REAL cold!!

 

[hayley3]

Here is an inside shot of what we call 'The Palace'. I had our neighbours collect their fall leaves in two large feed bags. On really cold or snowy days I bring in a big bin of them and the chickens have a great time searching for bugs and digging through them all. I scatter some chicken scratch with them to add a little corn to their diet on those days as well. View attachment 1984502

The palace looks warm and cozy with the perfect amount of straw.