Live in a Very Cold Winter area? Post link to your personal page here!

[elmo]

Quote:

But how cold does it get in the coldest part of Mass. as a winter low. Maybe -10 F? Not really so cold...

Correct me if I'm wrong,

Pat

-35, actually!

http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/ma_geography.htm

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Good idea...I'll have to get some pics & a page once the weather gets really cold.

 

[Momma_Cluck]

I've read many of the replies here.. but didn't see anything about "Igloo's"???

We have a Nigerian Dwarf goat in a 8 x 17 Dog kennel that has the roof tarped.... inside is a large "igloo" dog house that he has been sharing with my Silkie hen and roo.

Normally, all our chickens are in a 14 x 16 insulated "coop" that was once an office.... but these 2 were being mercilessly pecked and starved out by the other hens and roo's .

All 3 sleep together in the igloo-- and we also covered the westerly side of the Kennel since that is where we get the most wind & snow from.

We are due a BIG snowstorm and single digit temps tonight and tomorrow--- and usually in January our temps can get as low as -20.....

Should I move them into cages inside the coop, or should they be ok as-is? They are outside the igloo all day even with temps of 20f.... but I worry.

Thanks!

 

[anjbagley]

I hope someone hasn't already answered this questions since I haven't read all 18 pages, if so please forgive me! I live in a zone 4 climate. It is freezing! I have a very well insulated coop that I run a light in for 14 hours a day for the layers. I also have a heat lamp over my bantams smaller roost all the time. My bantams are still not doing well. I know they are smaller so more affected by the cold but I am not sure what to do different. I have half of my bantams living in cages in my house right now so I can give them meds and watch them. They have swollen eyes that they won't open and a little runny noses. I have been watching closely in the coop and taking any sick looking ones out. My regular chickens are all fine. Any ideas about bantams and the cold? What are they are getting sick for and if the antibiotics in the water is going to help? Thanks!!!!!

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

a round calf hutch works good for winter, Poly-Dome, add a door and cover the bottle hole and you have a good winter draft free coop that when its sunny will heat up even when the temps are below zero. unless its real cold and sunless you don't even need a heated waterer

 

[cluckcluck42]

Quote:
Thanks for your post. I have been wracking my brain, trying to decide if I am going to heat my coop over the winter. I am in Eastern Ontario, and it gets pretty cold here. I've been giving them light til around 9:30 at night, I need to get it on a timer though, add that to the list of projects.

I think I am going to try it without a heater, and see how it goes. I am so terrified of fire I would prefer to try it without. But then I am a new chicken owner and terrified they are going to be freezing!

Have you ever tried a huddle box? Not quite sure what it is but have heard it mentioned a few times.

I have about a foot of open space at the top of the coop (it is a big shed sectioned off and turned into a coop) and the roof hangs over it so no wind really gets through. Would this be too cold for them or provide good ventilation? I can't decide!!! The opening is far above where they roost, it is a tall structure.

Cheers.

 

[accio! chickens]

Pat this is a great idea! I'll get right to work on a page for this thread

 

[accio! chickens]

Quote:
Thanks for your post. I have been wracking my brain, trying to decide if I am going to heat my coop over the winter. I am in Eastern Ontario, and it gets pretty cold here. Giving them light til around 9:30 at night, need to get it on a timer though.

I think I am going to try it without a heater, and see how it goes. I am so terrified of fire I would prefer to try it without.

Have you ever tried a huddle box? Not quite sure what it is but have heard it mentioned a few times.

I have about a foot of open space at the top of the coop (it is a big shed sectioned off and turned into a coop) and the roof hangs over it so no wind really gets through. Would this be too cold for them or provide good ventilation? I can't decide!!! The opening is far above where they roost, it is a tall structure.

Cheers.

CluckCluck, where in Eastern Ontario are you? I know what you mean about the water freezing. I crack open the horse troughs twice a day (which reminds me I need to fill them tomorrow!).

 

[cluckcluck42]

Hey there, I am about an hour out from Ottawa.

We got our chickens this weekend, so we haven't had them very long and it's all a learning curve. I've been researching away for at least two months about chickens, and still have so many questions!

We've been changing the water twice a day, we're going to make a heater to put under it using a tin container and light socket/light. We bought some Royal Dans cookies today, makes a great container for it and a great excuse to eat some cookies!

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

WE live in Canyon Creek MT, 25 miles NW of Helena, it was -26 last night (wind chill roughly 30-40 below zero) our coop is about 120 sq ft and it stayed at about 45 degrees last night. DH says the birds live better than we do! Of course! They're house is smaller and easier to heat!