Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[snowflake]

No doubt about it. It is cold. While not quite as cold as it has been, and not as cold as it is going to be, it is still miserable. The cold weather definitely is cause for concern. Eggs freeze if not collected often. Providing adequate water is also a cause for concern. Yet the reality is the cold is harder on us than it is for the birds.

thank you a little reassurance was needed

I think I will add an extra layer of hay, maybe bring the water in for the night, not sure it will heat enough to stay thawed at -20 and I always give a little extra scratch, BOSS added before bed

 

[Opa]

An additional aid to keeping your birds warmer would be to feed them some cracked corn late in the afternoon. They love it, plus digesting it will increase body temperature.

 

[mrcush]

I have refrained from using the heating lamp to heat my coop this year after the negative things I read over the summer but between tomorrow and Tuesday the temps are suppose to be below zero. So far my hens have been fine but should I consider doing something over the next few days? The coop is not insulated but stays dry. I just don't know what to do... Help please!

 

[gladahmae]

Well I guess I'll consider myself lucky in the temperature department. We're "only" supposed to be in the 3-5 below zero for temps because the big lake hasn't frozen over this far down yet. They're predicting it to freeze in the Traverse City/Leelanau area with this temperature dip though. That should really cut down on the lake effect snow if it happens. I won't mind too much.....we're already 30in over average for snowfall at this time of the year!


I'm a bit befuddled as to what to do about my cockerel situation. I'm actually considering putting one of my silkie cockerels in the pullet coop now that my big Wyandotte boy is gone. Right now I have 3 cockerels and 3 pullets in the silkie coop (which I KNOW isn't a good idea, but no one is laying/mounting that I've seen).


I feel like I need a new "chicken project." I've had so much bad luck with the BLRWs that I feel like I should choose something else. Failed hatches, dog attacks, birds drowning themselves at 10 weeks, and now this business with the roo. I was really excited about it, and now not so much.

 

[aart]

gladahmae sorry about all your blrw woes, that really stinks.


Nice warm 30 degree day doesn't feel so warm with the wind...but still.
Dreading the drop in temps and forecasted 4-10 inches of snow in the next 36-48 hours.
Hope my back keeps getting better and the snow is the light fluffy kind.
Headed out for some supplies if the van battery hasn't died, it's on it's last legs.
Everyone enjoy the relative heat wave if you can.

 

[Trefoil]

This time of year we all worry about our birds being outside in the cold. The decision whether to add heat or not is an individual one, depending on the individual situation. I've never thought heating the coop was a good idea, for one because I tend to loose power at least once or twice a winter and if I heated my coops that would put my birds at risk. That said,I consider giving additional heat during a particularly cold spell sometimes a good idea. It may save birds that I would otherwise lose. One of the ways to do this is to use a heated roost, they are easy to make and while nothing is risk free, they have proven pretty safe as long as the necessary precautions are taken and not so expensive that its a waste to only use a couple of nights a year. Hope everyone is keeping warm in this wonderful weather.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

I have refrained from using the heating lamp to heat my coop this year after the negative things I read over the summer but between tomorrow and Tuesday the temps are suppose to be below zero. So far my hens have been fine but should I consider doing something over the next few days? The coop is not insulated but stays dry. I just don't know what to do... Help please!

My coop is uninsulated 3/4 inch plywood, with substantial (ok, overkill) venting at the roofline and peak. I have about 3-4 inches of shavings as bedding and my birds are fine. Yesterday we got down to -10*F at night and didn't get over 5*F during the day. They just stood around on one foot and fluffed themselves up to trap extra heat. I just make sure that they have warm water to drink and supplement their feed with corn tossed into their bedding. You can expect a drop in egg production though if they are using a lot of energy to warm themselves.

I feel like I need a new "chicken project." I've had so much bad luck with the BLRWs that I feel like I should choose something else. Failed hatches, dog attacks, birds drowning themselves at 10 weeks, and now this business with the roo. I was really excited about it, and now not so much.

I feel the same way about my Black Copper Marans project I had started last spring; bought a bunch st run chicks, had one get killed because of my own stupidity, ended up with more than 75% roosters, then lost one of the few hens to a hawk attack, shipped eggs in from supposed "show quality" birds, out of 14 only 2 hatched (luckily both are girls) and the one has a messed up beak. After reading the marans threads, I feel so guilty about wanting to breed my tiny-bit-better-than-hatchery-quality-birds, I think I'm just going to throw in the towel on them. At least the roosters are good watchdogs.

 

[preciouskitty]

Thanks all for the "heat vs. no heat" suggestions. Gonna opt for the "no heat" & some xtra corn treat. Chances are I won't be driving to work Monday based on forecast, so will be able to keep fresh water, get eggs, etc. (have been off work since 20 Dec, so was kinda looking forward to getting back & seeing everyone; particularly since I am only in this week, then out of town the week after).

Spaz will continue to "live" in the house for the time being. Just gave her a bath to clean her rump. Doesn't seem to want to eat today, drinking fine. Still bad runs w/some bright green. No blood. No mites, lice, creepy crawlies that I can see. Don't know what to do....& she is my "favorite". Think she sneezed...but really nothing runny/crusty...I did get a pic of a dropping yesterday. Should I post under my profile? Feel kinda weird posting a poop pic....but I am now stymied..

Here's a pic with Kitty watching over her after her bath yesterday...

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I think that pic is terrifically awesome @preciouskitty

Lots of chatter over on The Duck Side about temperatures. Here is a link that I bet will be of use and interest to all you Chicken Folk. Im on page 6 of 49, but a very interesting, oldie but goodie thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/421122/think-its-too-cold-for-your-chickens-think-again

Today all but one of my ducks was away from the IR light, all were eager to get right outside and they did attempt to wander the yard too. But that didn't last long, right back into the pen they went. Not inside the barn, but back to the pen. The other interesting discussion pertaining to ducks has been about how ducks can regulate their metabolisms to deal with fluctuating temperatures. I would bet that chickens have this ability also.

Stay warm y'all. I hear "Big Snow" is a-comin, so make sure your farms are ready.

P.S. one thought I had about plans for 2014... It would be really neat to have at least one Processing Day School, taught by experienced folks. What do y'all think of that?

 

[naglady]

So sorry sillychicken about your kits, thats alot of babies,