Meyer Hatchery Chicken pics anyone??

[COChix]

It didn't get above 0 here today. So much for 7deg! It's supposed to be -7 tonight with a wind chill of -10 to -25 tonight! Brrr!
Thinking maybe I should find a way to lock the horses into their stall. We don't have a door on it so I'm not sure how I'd do that but one already has ice crystals on it's back from staying outside all day. We don't have trees or other wind breaks on our property so the stall is their only option for cover. I put more hay in there to entice them in but they usually just eat and leave.


Ok, I noticed it was getting dark while typing this so I put the computer down and went out to see where they were and give them more hay. I think they were already in the stall because I didn't see them and it took them awhile to notice I was getting hay out. Usually they are right there waiting for me to load the wagon so they can eat out of it. I started moving towards the stall and they ran for it. They are both in there eating now so hopefully they'll stay. One didn't have any snow on her so I think she's figured out it's nicer in there. We'll see how they are in the morning.
I did a quick search on it and it said the temp horses are most comfortable in is 20-40deg. That is the temp their body doesn't have to work to heat or cool itself. It also says the temp they need intervention with shelter and/or extra food is -15! It said it takes 10-20 days for a horse to acclimate to colder weather. Too bad we only had 1 day! We've had a few cold spells prior to this but lots of nice warm weather in between. Our Tennessee Walker is bigger and has a much thicker coat of hair so I think he doesn't mind it as much but our Arabian is much smaller and I think she gets colder faster. I think that's why she is in the stall more often. 

I checked on the outdoor kitty. I opened the door and he stuck his head out of his crate. I was glad to see him in there. That's where it is the warmest and comfiest for him. It is a small crate with a moving blanket and towel shoved in there near the 2 lights keeping things above freezing. 

Yes, too cold too fast it is a little scary given it is only November. I am hoping it isn't a sign of things to come. On the horses front, they will stay were they are warmest, or should. Also do you have any horse blankets, you could toss on them? At least if they wander from the stall you will worry less about them, in theory, I know your an animal lover. On the Arabian, given the genetic heritage if theat breed, they are definitely less cold hardy. Had one growing up in the mountains of colorado, she didn't like the cold much.

Hooe all goes well for you and your criters overnight. Did you force your friends chicken inside?

 

[trsturself]

Ok so went out and the coop was -1 at like 3pm. So had to change the material on all the opening of the coop except the top vent. So of course it was the calamity of errors, wrong drill bit, the wood we had for coop window last year got used somewhere else, so had to round that up, I had to dig out plastic for part of a window and tack both inside the coop and outside. Boy was the gang unhappy with me climbing in the coop and staple gunning plastic on the upper windows, drilling a 2x4 into the ceiling and loudly hanging two infrared heat lamps. Of course they were happier with the outcome at lights out, meaning the run door gets closed, the temp was 4. So that is positive, now we are under a winter advisory overnight and windchill tomorrow am is expected to be -10 to -20. Definitely going to worry about the gang, but aside from brining them inside, which I am sure my bf and four dogs would object. Or maybe the dogs wouldn't

. I have done all I can do for them today. They do have about 2 - 3 feet of deep bedding on the floor of the coop, roosts off the ground and insulated coop, so all should be fine.

please tell me it will.....

On a positive we got 17/23 eggs today, I expect less tomorrow given today's scenario.

I have read that chickens don't start suffering ill effects from the cold until -20deg but can suffer ill effects sooner if heat is added. So don't worry about them as long as they have a dry place out of the wind they'll be fine.

 

[NotableNancy]

It didn't get above 0 here today. So much for 7deg! It's supposed to be -7 tonight with a wind chill of -10 to -25 tonight! Brrr!
Thinking maybe I should find a way to lock the horses into their stall. We don't have a door on it so I'm not sure how I'd do that but one already has ice crystals on it's back from staying outside all day. We don't have trees or other wind breaks on our property so the stall is their only option for cover. I put more hay in there to entice them in but they usually just eat and leave.


Ok, I noticed it was getting dark while typing this so I put the computer down and went out to see where they were and give them more hay. I think they were already in the stall because I didn't see them and it took them awhile to notice I was getting hay out. Usually they are right there waiting for me to load the wagon so they can eat out of it. I started moving towards the stall and they ran for it. They are both in there eating now so hopefully they'll stay. One didn't have any snow on her so I think she's figured out it's nicer in there. We'll see how they are in the morning.
I did a quick search on it and it said the temp horses are most comfortable in is 20-40deg. That is the temp their body doesn't have to work to heat or cool itself. It also says the temp they need intervention with shelter and/or extra food is -15! It said it takes 10-20 days for a horse to acclimate to colder weather. Too bad we only had 1 day! We've had a few cold spells prior to this but lots of nice warm weather in between. Our Tennessee Walker is bigger and has a much thicker coat of hair so I think he doesn't mind it as much but our Arabian is much smaller and I think she gets colder faster. I think that's why she is in the stall more often.

I checked on the outdoor kitty. I opened the door and he stuck his head out of his crate. I was glad to see him in there. That's where it is the warmest and comfiest for him. It is a small crate with a moving blanket and towel shoved in there near the 2 lights keeping things above freezing.

Yes, too cold too fast it is a little scary given it is only November. I am hoping it isn't a sign of things to come. On the horses front, they will stay were they are warmest, or should. Also do you have any horse blankets, you could toss on them? At least if they wander from the stall you will worry less about them, in theory, I know your an animal lover. On the Arabian, given the genetic heritage if theat breed, they are definitely less cold hardy. Had one growing up in the mountains of colorado, she didn't like the cold much.

Hooe all goes well for you and your criters overnight. Did you force your friends chicken inside?

Good idea about the blankets.

 

[autumnhearth]

LOL!
My phone looks the same...oh except I have collages of their possible eggs too.

There is something wrong with us!

Love it! I totally have egg collages and chick collages too! I wouldn't say I'm OCD about anything, except perhaps this.

If it were me with those choices I would pick: Welsummer, SS, SLW, and BLRW. You need some black/white and blue/red in the mix.

See originally I was going to wait on the Wyandottes until I can have a few of them. I think a SLW and two BLRW one blue and one splash would look lovely together. I also think the Speckled Sussex looks better with some laced chickens in the flock. And yes we are definitely lacking the cooler colors. I chose our first breeds to be warmer colors, even the Silver Grey Dorking (my husband's pick) has a rust colored breast. We don't really like the look of Barred Rocks and I'm not a big fan of the Columbian pattern, I think Delawares are pretty with the more delicate black on their necks but not the most exciting breed. I really really like the white Easter Eggers with bits of black that look like snowy owls:


but I'd have to get a started pullet to chose color. The Bantamn EE on the Meyer Catalog Cover is gorgeous too! I think SLW are gorgeous and elegant but are pretty bold compared to the rest of our flock, I also love BLRW but I also would want a Blue Orpington to go with it! Okay so perhaps the OCD is more than making collages. I definitely over think these things.

VERY restrained.... what if one doesn't make it or is a male by accident... I think you need to add a 4th!!

For me, I wouldn't go with an RIR... I think personality wise they can be so hit or miss. I had a horribly evil mean one I sold then heard through the grape vine she had to get rid of
her too she was so mean. My other one is fine. But nothing special. I would def. go with a BLRW or maybe a SLW? I don't think you have any black/white combo birds? SS, EE and Welsummer would be nice for both looking pretty and nice assorted egg color.

Haha! You are such an enabler. I am totally going to use that logic on my husband.

Your RIR logic is very sound. I was thinking it may be more docile in a small brood and being introduced to the older girls she would probably be lower ranking. But I definitely don't want an evil hen.

See my crazy Wyandotte and black and white logic above, lol.

If our son is allowed to choose one he will probably choose another EE or a Blue Orp.

Wow, that was from a while ago!

How about a few more then and now pictures?

Whiri the Light Brown Leghorn:

Love the then and nows. Little chipmunk chicks are so irresistible! Do you have any pics of your Speckled Sussex and Partridge Rocks' eggs. Are the SS light, tinted or pinkish?

 

[trsturself]

Yes, of course age and health always factor into things. I don't have any blankets as I usually think they do more harm than good. If I had them I would've put them on though since I know their coats aren't grown in enough yet or enough time to acclimate to this col. But I think they'll stay where they are warm and I'm upping their hay. All I can do for them now. Luckily this cold spell won't last too long.

 

[COChix]

@autumn - love the EE white with the black beak and wing tip, definitely look like an owl.


Ok so I have a question, define obsessed about chickens? I have to admit maybe I have an issue, but don't think I am obsessed, yet. On the collage pics, do you mean like this?

Does that fit the obsessed criterion, please give me your honest and brutal truth, I am one tuff chick.....baaahhhhhhh I couldn't resist!

 

[autumnhearth]

@autumn - love the EE white with the black beak and wing tip, definitely look like an owl.


Ok so I have a question, define obsessed about chickens? I have to admit maybe I have an issue, but don't think I am obsessed, yet. On the collage pics, do you mean like this?

Does that fit the obsessed criterion, please give me your honest and brutal truth, I am one tuff chick.....baaahhhhhhh I couldn't resist!

I'd say it depends how much time you spend on it. It looks to me that you are just proud of your chickens. Love the Bruno stamp and your white EE is beautiful!

 

[COChix]

I'd say it depends how much time you spend on it.  It looks to me that you are just proud of your chickens.  Love the Bruno stamp and your white EE is beautiful!

I would say I spend more time online here reading, this thread to name a few. The iPad has its limits as far as how easy it is for someone like me, with nerve damage in my arms can spend on stuff like the computer in general. Now given that said, we have no tv, no cable to speak of we stream Netflix, but we usually read, a lot online, as that is easy access. Also due to my nerve damage, I cannot bake as much as I would like, or cook as elaborately as I like right now, so the iPad and reading books really are about it in the cold winter months.

Thanks for the Bruno and Isis complement, we think they are beautiful as well. Both from Meyer...

 

[KurtG]

I just orderd my Meyer chicks, now we have to wait until nearly the end of March- 15 Maran pullets - 5 black copper, 3 blue splash, 3 golden cuckoo, and 4 cuckoo.

 

[autumnhearth]

I would say I spend more time online here reading, this thread to name a few. The iPad has its limits as far as how easy it is for someone like me, with nerve damage in my arms can spend on stuff like the computer in general. Now given that said, we have no tv, no cable to speak of we stream Netflix, but we usually read, a lot online, as that is easy access. Also due to my nerve damage, I cannot bake as much as I would like, or cook as elaborately as I like right now, so the iPad and reading books really are about it in the cold winter months.

Thanks for the Bruno and Isis complement, we think they are beautiful as well. Both from Meyer...

I think reading and dreaming about chickens is a great way to spend the colder months we don't have cable either, love Netflix.

I just orderd my Meyer chicks, now we have to wait until nearly the end of March- 15 Maran pullets - 5 black copper, 3 blue splash, 3 golden cuckoo, and 4 cuckoo.

Excellent, you should have lots of beautiful dark eggs come fall! Will these your first chicks?