/ Register

  1. Check out our Random Pics Page here, or learn more about it here.

Keeping eggs from freezing

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by BriardChickens, Oct 26, 2014.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Oct 26, 2014 #1
    BriardChickens

    BriardChickens Songster

    2,324
    120
    168
    Jul 9, 2014
    Northern Alberta
    I am located in Northern Alberta, Canada and are expecting more snow and a colder winter then last year. Last year we had snow from middle of October until May. Temperatures drop in February/March to ~-30°C plus windchill, those temperatures lasted for close to a month. The rest of the time we averaged -20C. This is our first winter with chickens. During the chicken breed selection I made sure to pick winter hardy breeds. Today is 2°C, cloudy and the chickens still hang out in the run rather then the coop.

    I do plan to have a ceramic heat lamp on in the coop once it gets cold enough. My work schedule allows me to check for eggs before 5:30 am (so before any eggs are laid) and after 6:30 pm. I'd like to find a way to keep eggs from freezing!

    Ideas please!?

    Has anyone tried the reptile heat pads in their nest boxes?
     
  2. Oct 26, 2014 #2
    sunflour

    sunflour Flock Master Premium Member Project Manager 5 Years

    15,005
    7,493
    732
    Jan 10, 2013
    Macon,GA
    No experience with the kind of cold you have, but seems it should be safe as long as there is a temperature control and you buffer the chickens from getting too hot. Here's a link to Chicken Chicks nest warmer. Not exactly what you are thinking about but shows how she insured her hens would not overheat and eggs would not cook. You may be able to warm the nest in mornings only?

    http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/01/frozen-eggs-nest-box-cozy-winter-food.html

    hope this helps, good luck.
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by: