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?
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?