Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[1muttsfan]

Haha, That works until you step in a fresh one

 

[Chickin Fairy]

Well, now that we're speaking of fitness trackers... Hubby got me an Oura ring for Christmas, so I've been learning it and I'm really amazed at how well it tracks my sleep and stress (and my cycle)! It'll take about a month to fully calibrate, but it is really fascinating. I use FitBit to track my exercise. I walk/run intervals in the mornings (easing back into it) for 30 minutes. This morning I burned 284 cals. I think the trackers are much more accurate (especially now) than the phone or treadmill. My treadmill is always way low, but that's because it doesn't measure heart rate or intensity.

It's so cold. I know, I'm preaching to the choir. So cold I had to bring my waterer in to thaw because my heat plate failed It seems to work better at higher temps. The birds are in the coop most of the day, unless I bribe them with treats to come out. Out of 7 hens, I'm getting 3 eggs a day. I wasn't expecting that and randomly opened up the nesting box to find a BUNCH of frozen eggs (first pic). I had kind of written them off for laying at all in the winter because they are almost 4 now, and I expect them to start slowing down.

Nice to get a few fresh eggs a day, I water glassed a ton last year so I wouldn't have to buy any and those are holding up well.

I will say, even though it is cold, it is still so beautiful and quiet outside, as long as you don't stay out too long

 

[Folly's place]

Heat plate issues here too. The 125W and 110W units are doing well, the 80W unit can't keep up with the cold. Just ordered another 110W unit, best price from Amazon, arriving Tuesday. I hope. Meanwhile a dog dish on the 80W heater tonight, and a heated dog water dish tomorrow if this fails tonight.
We love winter!
Mary

 

[Sally PB]

We love winter!

We do???

-17° this morning. It hasn't been that cold since the brutal winter of 94-95 when we had -30°.

Funny, but a mere zero overnight low doesn't seem that bad now.

 

[Folly's place]

I know, better that -25F, but not fine when it's 'only' -14F. May it not be that chilly again this year!
I saw -35F in Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, at least, last night. Ouch!
I do have some birds with single combs, and some frost bitten tips this morning.
Mary

 

[Chickin Fairy]

I know, better that -25F, but not fine when it's 'only' -14F. May it not be that chilly again this year!
I saw -35F in Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, at least, last night. Ouch!
I do have some birds with single combs, and some frost bitten tips this morning.
Mary

I have the 125 W heat plate, and it crapped out too!

My poor boy with big waddles has frostbite on them. I know we arent supposed to, but I'm definitely putting some heat in the new coop, just behind the roosts and those supplemental heat plates, no heat lamps or anything. Only to be used when it gets THIS COLD. Guys, I'm not built for this.

 

[1muttsfan]

My biggest combs are on my bantam speckled Sussex roosters, so far they look great. The coop is well insulated and ventilated but not drafty, so far so good. I do think they are all getting pretty bored at being closed in all day.

 

[Chickin Fairy]

My biggest combs are on my bantam speckled Sussex roosters, so far they look great. The coop is well insulated and ventilated but not drafty, so far so good. I do think they are all getting pretty bored at being closed in all day.

I'm pretty sure my ventilation is not as good as it should be in the old coop, but none of my other birds (even ones with larger combs/waddles) have issues with frostbite. This guy just has ridiculously large waddles and a large comb, especially for here in the cold. I rescued him from the UP so I'm assuming he gets frostbite every year. His comb looks fine so far, but still I definitely need to supplement a bit of heat for him. Nothing crazy, but this year is just rough.

 

[Folly's place]

Last night I had a 175W heat lamp up in the main coop, and changed it out for the 250W lamp tonight. It's a bigger coop, so will only take the edge off the ambient temperature, which won't be a cold as last night anyway.
The last two winters have spoiled us, and now we're in the real thing!
Wonderful doggy just vomited dinner and ?? on the floor, at least not on the LR rug! Why we have pets...
Mary