Maine

[lazy gardener]

Dbl again.

 

[CoopChick719]

Did someone say they want goats? I have two girls who would be perfect for someone. One nubian and one dwarf/pygmy. The nubian is older (12) but still going strong. The little one is 6-7 for a guess and full of life.

Oh Widget, right now we're just talking about it. We would need to build a shelter first.

Sorry for the goat talk, that was my fault. Nigerian Dwarfs also have the smallest teats of them all - I've heard it makes it slower to milk.

My boss near Brunswick got about 2 inches of snow. When he called this morning and was talking about the snow I thought he had gone crazy. Nothing but cold and wind up here.

My son posted a picture of a snow angel he made in Auburn. All we got was cold & wind too!

I am frozen to the core. Spent the bulk of today and yesterday buttoning up the coop and the added sun room. the girls looked miserable. Especially RIR who looks like a puffed up porcupine. I hope the ground is not too frozen tomorrow to get some re-bar posts pounded into the ground to complete their temporary run. It'll require about 50' of fencing.

I did the same thing. Thankfully I only had to add 1 tarp since we buttoned up most of it a while ago. The girls who were sitting in the run while I was putting up the last tarp were puffed up but 5 minutes later were running around the temporary pen scratching around.

I did hang a heat lamp on a timer in the coop tonight since I saw the low could be 11. It's 36 in the coop right now. I'm going to drape a curtain inside the coop door to cut down any drafts.

 

[quailtrail]

Its only Nov, and my 1st winter with chickens, and I am going nuts!!! Between the snow and freezing winds I feel so bad I want to bring them all inside so they are warm. We were gone most of the day. Whenwe got home my little 10yo farmer ran into the house and made them some hot oatmeal.

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[MustardTiger]

I feel like i am back in Wyoming! sheesh. That wind was sa little scary out here with all these tall.....old pine trees. We cut two dead ones just a few weeks ago and I am glad we did! yikes!

I got a heated base for my metal waterer and have it setup inside the coop. So far it has been the savior of my mornings.

Tomorrow the girls get their second lice dusting. A job I totally detest!

 

[IZZYBELLA]

Adorable goat, SCG and love the nest, Bucka!

Water heater question... I have two electric outlets in the coop. One is in the ceiling and one is on the wall. I'm trying to decide which would be safer to use. Using the one in the wall and running the cord along the ground would definitely be easier. Has anyone had issues with chickens pecking at extension cords, though?

 

[CoopChick719]

Its only Nov, and my 1st winter with chickens, and I am going nuts!!! Between the snow and freezing winds I feel so bad I want to bring them all inside so they are warm. We were gone most of the day. Whenwe got home my little 10yo farmer ran into the house and made them some hot oatmeal.

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Take a deep breath &repeat after me, "chickens have down coats they will be okay." I think we have all been there!!! That being said just watch your girls if they are puffed up looking miserable you'll know if you need to make adjustments. I keep an eye on the weather & the temp in the coop.

Tomorrow the girls get their second lice dusting. A job I totally detest! 

I don't like having to dust them myself either!

[quote name="IZZYBELLA" url="/t/1370/maine/11160#post_

Water heater question... I have two electric outlets in the coop.  One is in the ceiling and one is on the wall. I'm trying to decide which would be safer to use.  Using the one in the wall and running the cord along the ground would definitely be easier.  Has anyone had issues with chickens pecking at extension cords, though? 
[/quote]
I had to run mine through some PVC pipe because of pecking & trying to roost on the wire going up to the ceiling. Silly chickens!!

 

[ashandvine]

"Chickens have down and they will be okay." he he he Unless they are foolish like my one hen who is molting. I kept them all in the barn yesterday and today. Even the geese and ducks were sitting on their feet most of the day. We did get snow. Still have it. And ice in one of the bathroom potties. Oh yes, I said that. Tin warmers are plugged in, thankfully. I have to figure out something for the ducks. More than just a bucket. They need a bath now and then. Some of you might recall the pics of the pair I had in the tub last year. I wasn't fond of cleaning it after.

I am surprised Leery didn't suggest Runner ducks for eggs since I believe they are known to lay as many or more than most chickens. I didn't mean to have muscovies. They were bonus in a deal, freebies, and I find it tough to turn down chocolate anything. I knew they would be good broodies so I hope they can help me manage brooding geese.

Stupid question about snow fencing: its just meant to keep the snow from drifting, right? I was hoping it wasn't expensive and I could use it for temporary fencing and a bit of a wind break for the birds as well.

 

[dowgirl71]

Yea!! Got another egg, today. But it's a pretty good sized egg. What are the chances? Could it be that one of my BOs laid 2 eggs or I'm thinking that my BA might be responsible for it? She's a pretty big girl, but it would be her first. Still really nice to see 4 eggs in the boxes!

 

[anyasmifya]

Quote: I used to worry about the chickens in the winter too! What helps me, is reminding myself of all the birds out there who survive winter with no issues like ravens, crows, and the little chickadees!

Last year I had my cord run through a PVC pipe, this year I have it looped into the fencing and running up above, haven't had any pecking issues.

Finally, our foam is being covered up with dirt, so the little jerky birds can roam free again and not eat it! yay! I'm so glad the wind has subsided!

 

[anyasmifya]

p.s. I have just spent the last hour or two looking at desert properties! They are pretty cheap. I seriously want to be a snow bird!