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Last week it was 70, this week only 32... day time!

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by SurprisingWoman, Nov 14, 2009.

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  1. Nov 14, 2009 #1
    SurprisingWoman

    SurprisingWoman Songster

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    May 27, 2009
    South Weber, UT
    So last week it was as high as 70 and night temps were in the 40's. They free range but live in a tractor with a small attached run.

    My girls are 25 weeks old. They have been outside in their tractor/small coop for months so they are fully feathered out.

    My coop is small and not insulated. There is adequate ventilation, with the potential for more.

    I am using the DLM with DE.

    Last week I roofed their 12 foot run and put 6ml plastic around the bottom of the run and the coop. It is as wind proof as I can make it.

    Today we got over five inches of snow. They roamed a SMALL amount around the yard. They spent most of the day huddled in the run. I have made sure they have fresh water, they got oatmeal and yogurt this AM but it wasn't eaten much, I gave them some scratch and they have free feed layer pellets.

    They free range and are so spoiled that they don't eat many scraps. They prefer what they find in the yard and the cheese we feed them every day at 4:30 (and they CAN tell time!). They can't really free range right now with everything covered with snow.

    I am currently babysitting my grandson and I can go and check on them when I get home. Is there any way to tell how well they are dealing with the cold temps? They have not had to experience anything like this and I am just concerned.

    It's 18 degrees right now and the cold front hasn't arrived yet. [​IMG]

    Any advice on how to tell how well they are dealing? What should I do if they are not dealing well? Should I bring them in and lock them in the bathroom?

    Thanks so much.
     
  3. Nov 14, 2009 #2
    Mahonri

    Mahonri Urban Desert Chicken Enthusiast Premium Member

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    May 14, 2008
    North Phoenix
    My Coop
    We were at 94 last week.

    It will be down to 40 degrees tomorrow.

    I just got up to shut off the AC... it wasn't on!!

    Brrr.........
     
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2009
  5. Nov 15, 2009 #3
    Tala

    Tala Flock Mistress

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    Apr 14, 2009
    Benton (Saline County) AR
    If you use the heat and the a/c in the same day....you might live in Arkansas!
    I've always felt kinda bad for the animals because I can put a jacket on or off whenever I want, but it takes them a while to change "coats"

    Somehow they manage though [​IMG] just make sure they have a place to get out of the wind and they will be ok I'm sure.
     
  7. Nov 15, 2009 #4
    SurprisingWoman

    SurprisingWoman Songster

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    May 27, 2009
    South Weber, UT
    Well, I just got home from babysitting and checked on the girls.

    It is now 17 degrees.

    They looked fine, everyone was on the roost. Most were close together but my "head hen" was a few inches away... looking rather disgruntled at having a flash light shined in the coop. I have a plexiglass door so I had a good look at all of them and they all seem fine.

    There was no condensation I could see.

    I think this was a great test, for all of us.

    I guess we passed.

    Thanks everyone!
     
  9. Nov 15, 2009 #5
    hen-thusiast

    hen-thusiast Songster

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    Apr 8, 2009
    Utah
    LOL - I looked at the title of the post and said "hmm that could be me...". Then it dawned on me that we're only a short freeway drive away from each other. [​IMG]

    Even our molting bird is doing just fine today. Well, if you mean by just fine they ignore the outdoor run 'cause it's covered in cold white stuff. Trust me, here in Utah I've never seen it get very cold. Utah winters are pretty mild, especially if you've had the honor of experiencing a MN winter. Try -60 with windchill, that's cold.
     
  11. Nov 15, 2009 #6
    gottalovemychickens

    gottalovemychickens SaveAChickenRideACowboy

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    Aug 19, 2009
    50 Miles SouthEast of DENVER !
    Right now were sitting at 21* with a windchill of 8* , just 50 miles southeast of denver .... My ladies are staying in the coop all day today .
     
  13. Nov 15, 2009 #7
    Wifezilla

    Wifezilla Positively Ducky

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    Oct 2, 2008
    Colorado
    When I read the thread title I thought "must be someone in Colorado"...LOL

    My ducks were a little confused by all the white stuff in their run
     
  15. Nov 15, 2009 #8
    gottalovemychickens

    gottalovemychickens SaveAChickenRideACowboy

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    Aug 19, 2009
    50 Miles SouthEast of DENVER !
    Quote:ya i thought the same thing hahah .


    Who else is in colorado haha
     
  17. Nov 15, 2009 #9
    Nostalchic

    Nostalchic Songster

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    Oct 14, 2008
    North Front Range Colorado
    How well they manage in very cold temperatures may depend on how many chickens you have, because they will huddle or roost together to stay warm, so the more, the merrier; what breeds you have, some are far more cold tolerant than others; and your location, obviously. Where are you? The relative humidity is also an issue - if high will contribute to problems like frostbite. A small uninsulated coop with a just a few chickens and a temperature dropping into the low teens or lower? Could be a problem. Not that they couldn't very well survive it, but you may have some frostbitten combs and some pretty stressed chickens. You might consider adding a heat source, insulating outside the coop with hay bales or something of that sort, and be sure you are preventing any drafts while avoiding condensation and humid conditions inside.
     
  19. Nov 15, 2009 #10
    hen-thusiast

    hen-thusiast Songster

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    Apr 8, 2009
    Utah
    What's up with all the Coloradans hijacking this thread?? You guys know nothing about the weather WAY OVER here in Utah! That's yesterday's news to us. [​IMG]
     
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