Maine

[Gallina Sarda]

-12 projected for Tuesday. How concerned should I be about my flock of four? They are in a hoop house that is covered and very protected from the wind but uninsulated. They do have a small coop they can get into within the hoop house but it too is uninsulated. Should I be bringing them in by the woodstove or just let their downy feathers protect them? They seemed fine when we got to neg. 3... First time chicken mommy here, can you tell?!?

 

[Mainechick168]

-12 projected for Tuesday. How concerned should I be about my flock of four? They are in a hoop house that is covered and very protected from the wind but uninsulated. They do have a small coop they can get into within the hoop house but it too is uninsulated. Should I be bringing them in by the woodstove or just let their downy feathers protect them? They seemed fine when we got to neg. 3... First time chicken mommy here, can you tell?!?

I worry too! This is also my first winter with chickens, and our coop is also not insulated. They have been fine so far, the coop is solid, 99% draft free and I've got a lot of bedding down. I've also got some ventilation up high... I'm hoping they are all alright!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

-12 projected for Tuesday. How concerned should I be about my flock of four? They are in a hoop house that is covered and very protected from the wind but uninsulated. They do have a small coop they can get into within the hoop house but it too is uninsulated. Should I be bringing them in by the woodstove or just let their downy feathers protect them? They seemed fine when we got to neg. 3... First time chicken mommy here, can you tell?!?

That sounds like a fine set up. They'll survive. Add some hay in a corner of the coop if they want to huddle there, they will.

My ducks will be in their house with open/wire sides and a quilt draped over the top to slow the wind, some hay to snuggle down in. I'm not worried about them one bit.

 

[Keric]

-12 projected for Tuesday. How concerned should I be about my flock of four? They are in a hoop house that is covered and very protected from the wind but uninsulated. They do have a small coop they can get into within the hoop house but it too is uninsulated. Should I be bringing them in by the woodstove or just let their downy feathers protect them? They seemed fine when we got to neg. 3... First time chicken mommy here, can you tell?!?

what breed or breeds is your flock? We used to have a rooster we called old smoothed comb because his comb spikes got frostbite. Bringing your chickens inside would not be a good thing, they should be acclimated to the outdoors.

 

[Keric]

probably one of the most important thing is to make sure that they have access to all the food they want. In the winter I have no problem feeding them extra scratch grain for the extra corn that is in it.

 

[hoppy]

the only thing I will have for sale are paint silkie hatching eggs and once I separate out my girls, wyandottes eggs. i will have some spares from eggs i bought but i can't count them as they have not hatched yet.
(you know the saying...)

So, what kind of eggs will you be selling Hoppy? I'm hoping to get some Marans and/or Americaunas from Ashandvine but her girls aren't laying yet. I have a gal who's interested in Silkies.
Thanks,
Melinda

 

[dowgirl71]

Something funny this AM when I let my girls out: they thought they could fly over the snow that had collected in their run. It's only a 6x6 former dog kennel and there was no bare ground in it after the dusting of snow we received, last PM. But they tried!

 

[Gallina Sarda]

what breed or breeds is your flock? We used to have a rooster we called old smoothed comb because his comb spikes got frostbite. Bringing your chickens inside would not be a good thing, they should be acclimated to the outdoors.

, we have hunting dogs, so they wouldn't last long in the house, yikes! Besides my hubby wouldn't be keen on it either. I will put some extra bedding down as well as some hay as suggested! Thanks so much for all the responses.

I've got RIRs and PBRs. No frostbite yet and I def. supplement with scratch, eggs, sprouted lentils, Boss.

 

[Gallina Sarda]

I worry too! This is also my first winter with chickens, and our coop is also not insulated. They have been fine so far, the coop is solid, 99% draft free and I've got a lot of bedding down. I've also got some ventilation up high... I'm hoping they are all alright!

Sounds like we're in the same boat! What kind and how many do you have?

 

[Gallina Sarda]

Something funny this AM when I let my girls out: they thought they could fly over the snow that had collected in their run.  It's only a 6x6 former dog kennel and there was no bare ground in it after the dusting of snow we received, last PM.  But they tried!

my sissies won't even think about walking on the snow. They look outside and just shake their heads at me! Not gonna do it.