Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Dreamzchaser]

Welcome catmama!

 

[chickflick]

 

[Dreamzchaser]

Hi lovelies! It getting colder,lol The quackies go through more than 7 gals of water a day. I am getting spooked when I have to trail in the snow just to get water to them twice a day. For now since temps are not under 35, I still plug the house but I would not be able once it goes lower. Any other advise can help. Raz, how did you do it?

 

[Folly's place]

An all weather hydrant is the answer! If at all possible, do that.
Mary

 

[bigmrg74]

Coop is slowly getting buttoned up for winter. Up by the garage so I can plug in the lights and I probably should get the waterer in and plugged in as well. Got a new pallet to rebuild my pallet table for in the coop as the old pallet was just falling apart on me. New one is a heavy duty thing that I got from a guy who I gave away a lot of our moving boxes to. Happened to have it in his basement for years. Got one of the straw bale walls up from last years straw, and got the fencing up around to keep them penned up, as long as they don't hop over the dog yard fence. Miss Belle would love that. Need to go get some more straw to finish off the south wall and around the coop itself. Got a bale of straw already in the coop, along with 3 loads of leaves from the big 10 cubic feet wheelbarrow. will probably dump in some more tomorrow if they're dry.

 

[RaZ]

Hi lovelies! It getting colder,lol The quackies go through more than 7 gals of water a day. I am getting spooked when I have to trail in the snow just to get water to them twice a day. For now since temps are not under 35, I still plug the house but I would not be able once it goes lower. Any other advise can help. Raz, how did you do it?

I have a 2.5 gallon heated waterer that is for ducks. I don't remember the brand and the label is missing now. I also trudge out a couple of regular founts when I open the coop and then again later in the day. I rotate about 6 of them during the day. I think that I'll be getting another heated fount in the near future.
Toting water in winter is a PITA chore but it gets me off my arse and outside a few times a day. I also have to go out for firewood on a regular basis. I just set my mind to it. For the benefit of the birds and also for me.

 

[Dreamzchaser]

An all weather hydrant is the answer! If at all possible, do that.
Mary

What is an all weather hydrant? The hydrant I know is the one on streets that firefighters plug into.

 

[Sally PB]

My neighbor is bagging up fall leaves and using the bags as a wind break. Then she can also dump them into the run if the chickens need something to scratch through.

Leaves are something we have plenty of around here! Just gotta rake them up.

 

[Folly's place]

A water line has to be buried below the frost line, we did it with a rented trencher. Miserable, but doable. The line goes from the house or where ever the water originates, here it's our well to the house. The hydrant can be cheap or more expensive, and the better ones do last longer. Instant fresh water all year, right where it's wanted!

This one is next to our coop (with little friends!) And apparently is the best brand. We had it installed by a well company this time, didn't do it ourselves.
Mary

 

[Sally PB]

Mary, is that a hand pump? We've talked about putting in one of those. How do you keep it from freezing up in the winter?