Maine

[buckabucka]

What are these heated dog bowls?  We want to do something heated for this year for the girls so we don't have to chop ice and refill constantly. 

Last winter we ran a heat lamp in the coop just running an extension cord.  This year we'll nix the heat lamp (I read here I think that is is better to let them adjust to the cold) but we'll put a light on a timer in the coop.

Our girls rarely go out in the winter - is there a trick to getting them outside?  I feel bad that they stay in their coop all winter but it is by choice, they just have such a nice big run it would be nice to see them use it and get some fresh air in the winter.

 

I bought my heated dog bowl on Amazon. It made it through two winters and is still working, so I bought two more. I got this one: http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovato...id=1349005145&sr=8-8&keywords=Heated+dog+bowl

Our chickens don't like to go out in the winter either. We ended out covering their run, but some of them wouldn't even walk on the little amount of snow that blew in on the sides. This year, I'm covering all sides (except the door) with tarps and plastic sheeting. Most of them went out in the dry parts of the run during the winter, but there are always a couple who hunker down indoors for the duration.

Too bad SCG gets up so early! Breakfast will be cold by the time I arrive.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

You could have made it, we just finished. Topped it in Bacon Farms Dark Maple Syrup (we made a trip out there yesterday just to get some syrup for this morning).

Tried my jam, too. It was really good. It was cooked, boiled for 20 minutes then simmered another 15. It had the flash on so it looked a bit different than it was. I do know if I make it again I'll more than likely puree the apples in the food processor instead of doing the grater.

 

[MustardTiger]

Hrmm all these recipes are making me hungry. I have plans to go out and pick 4 lbs of crabapples from our tree, and some hot peppers and make some jelly with those two - even if the rain doesn't ever stop I am gonna do it today ******!


Does anyone have any experience with herbal or all natural wormers like Verm-x?, or making your own out of garlic/apple cider vinegar etc? eventually we want to certify our small plot as organic so I am thinking I may want to keep away from chemicals. These chickens will never pass since I didn't get them as day olds, but just to be in practice I'd like to avoid chemicals. I read that Ivermectin is okay for some livestock in certain situations but saw nothing that related to chickens in the documentation.

 

[ashandvine]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/107951/cookie-tin-water-heater

OKAY.... check this out! 25 watts is cheap, especially on a timer!
I was talking with dh about taking the 1 gallon tops right of these LG waterers I have and submerging them in the plastic dog dish we use to water the ducks (yes, they have a pool too but they are in separate areas of the acreage) so we weren't trying to unscrew them. Its hard on my hands and kids sometimes can't open them at all. I also like the idea of inserting a milk jug (with opening sliced into sides for access by chickens) of water into the heated bowl area so that I am able to lift it out and just change the jug-- much easier on my hands. The quantity of water available at that point is less but getting the time or DH to make the 5 gallon pail waterer that I want isn't happening. (insert grumbles here).

 

[ashandvine]

Does anyone have any experience with herbal or all natural wormers like Verm-x?, or making your own out of garlic/apple cider vinegar etc? eventually we want to certify our small plot as organic so I am thinking I may want to keep away from chemicals. These chickens will never pass since I didn't get them as day olds, but just to be in practice I'd like to avoid chemicals. I read that Ivermectin is okay for some livestock in certain situations but saw nothing that related to chickens in the documentation.

I have been thinking about this as well. I have to research more of what I know are natural wormers. Pumpkin is one so feed them lots of that. I want to learn a bit more (and maybe you can help do some leg work) on how tolerant chickens are to eating flea bane (grows wild). Permethrin is derived from chrysanthemums so I would imagine you could argue that its organic. If you can get to a point of high preventative measures on a regular basis you might be okay not to treat at all. DE, Pumpkin, garlic, vinegar water, oregano... not sure what else. You might want to read on the use of lime in keeping down disease/mareks in poultry houses. I have a link somewhere but you could find it easily by doing a search as well.

 

[ducklucky]

There are all plastic waterers out there that run on extension cord, much cheaper than the metal base. Haven't tried one yet, but have one on order, they run about $34, (gosh, those metal heater bases run $50 new!) self contained, no base or anything, and go on and off automatically, good to -0.. Holds 3 gallons. Will let you all know when I receive if it looks any good, I too have problems unscrewing the metal waterers, maybe this will be easier. It has a one year warranty, so must be fairly durable.

 

[hoppy]

not as loud as you might expect. I never really notice the crowing and it does seem alot less then when they are at the fairs (probably because they only come in for the day, not several days)
we have quite a bit to see and not all of it is in the poultry house so it won't be as crowded there unless it's raining. we use the new sheep building and the prime show ring. sellers will be set up around the poultry barn area. last year we had the ducks separate from the chickens, gave us alot more room.

Hoppy, yes I was asking about the loud noises of a show. The small one at the fair was quiet but knowing how big this one at Windsor will be I was concerned that there would be a LOT of crowing going on and then all those people. I am asking my family to consider coming with me. My son is getting more and more into chicken information and he enjoyed the show at the fair with me so it will at least be me and he and baby. I would like (I think) all of us to go... but I might regret that later. Three kids, two adults and a baby. Not sure how we will all fit down the aisles but I am excited to see the birds DONE WELL.

 

[ducklucky]

Unfortunately, water is the lifeline for our girls (and boys). They do tend to drink less in winter, think they sleep a lot more and since they are producing less eggs, they don't need as much. I keep a mess of gallon milk jugs of water in the coop so I don't have to haul every day, especially when those north winds are blowing, the body heat of the chickens keeps them from freezing solid, so I can refill the waterer as needed and only haul a couple of gallons a day to replenish when I feel like it. There are plastic 3 gallon waterers out there (just google electric chicken waterers) you can get them as low as $34, shop around, good to below zero. They turn on and off automatically at like 45-35. They are all one unit, no base required, just a heavy duty extension cord. We have the same cord for 10 years that has buried itself underground, and it works just fine. Believe they run on regular house current. There are a ton of gadgets out there for waterers. Also being preggers, grab yourself some 5 gallon buckets with secure lids for their feed and put them out there as well, not much can get into them. Ice cream shops sometimes just discard them, so if you have one nearby, ask now to get them. They might get a little poopy, but who cares when it's -20? Like to stock my coop after T-giving. And remember, hot water freezes faster than cold water...there's some kind of scientific factor you can google, something to do with water vapor, so no need to raise your hot water bill filling your jugs with hot water. If you're keeping a bulb on come Jan. on really cold nights, you should be fine. We all worry about the winters, we are well overdue for a hard one this year. Time to get ready now (I should talk, way behind prep).

 

[hoppy]

and this is what i spent the last 2 weekend doing.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

and this is what i spent the last 2 weekend doing.

Now THAT looks worthwhile! How many pens, total?

Edited to add... and for comparison, here's how I spent my weekend: