Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[1muttsfan]

I don't really mind my hens taking a break this time of the year. Gives them a chance to fatten up, grow in their new feathers, and store up pigment for eggshells and yolk color. Plus it's usually so cold this time of the year that the eggs tend to freeze before I can get them collected, so they often go to waste anyway.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm getting some eggs, but not many. Some hens are older, some just beginning to lay, and some are molting. So a total of 37 hens and pullets, and 9 to 14 eggs per day. I'm so ready for spring, and it's not quite Christmas!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

This morning I placed a chick order with Cackle hatchery, for delivery in early April. A friend and I go together on an order, and this is the earliest we've ever done it. Ordering later, we usually couldn't get all the breeds we wanted, so this time we jumped right in!
Thinking spring again...
Mary

 

[1muttsfan]

I placed my Sand Hill order back in October - Delawares, Speckled Sussex and Buff Catalana. They have really good Delawares, and you can't get them unless you order early.

 

[Folly's place]

I have three SS hens, and love them! I didn't order any more today, hoping they do well for another year or more.
Mary

 

[robyn8]

What do you all do about freezing water in winter? I had a rent a coop heater that the bucket with horizontal nipples sits on. Worked great all last winter and this year up until last night. It appears to have quit on me. Hubs will check it out when he's home before dark this weekend. But assuming it's broken I'm looking into other options.

 

[Folly's place]

I use the heated bases with the galvanized waterers on top, not a nipple system. I have two set up with three gallon waters, and a backup plastic heated waterer in the barn for emergencies (I dislike it intensely) so there's always an extra. For the horses, a 150 gal water tank with a heater, and another empty tank, and new heater, available when/ if the one in use fails.
Have a backup! They will quit at very inconvenient times, especially if you are gone and have a friend doing chores, or on a holiday.
Mary

 

[aart]

rent a coop heater

What is this?
ETA: Found it?
https://www.rentacoop.com/all-products/waterer-heater


This DIY heated waterer has worked well for 3 winters headed into the 4th now, down to -12F.

 

[1muttsfan]

I also use a purchased heated base with galvanized tank, love it. I feel uncomfortable using home built electronic devices in a place where there such a high risk of fire as a chicken coop.

 

[chickflick]

I use a heated dog dish. Works great for me. I have no roosters, or hens with large combs or wattles so no fear of getting frost bite