Michigan

[Opa]

Good morning Gotweim and welcome to the Michigan thread. Keeping your birds warm isn't as big an issue as keeping them draft free. They can handle zero temperatures with no issues as long as they are dry and able to get out of drafts. However, you don't want to have a coop that doesn't allow ventilation. Ammonia buildup can cause respiration problems. As long as there is ventilation above their heads you shouldn't have any problems.

Be sure to click on the link in my signature line. It will give you information about our upcoming Chickenstock. It's a great opportunity to meet some really nice folks, see some nice birds, and have a great time talking about chickens.

 

[SillyChicken]

I don't use anything to heat it. They're doing fine!

 

[newchickky]

Quote:
I haven't heated my coup at all this winter. I have RIR, leghorns, EE, and a possible cuckoo maran. They all seem to be doing just fine without the heat. There is a very interesting thread that was started by a guy in Alaska who raises chickens and he swears by no heat, and his chickens fare weather down to neg 20! when i find the thread I will post the link, that is unless someone else does before I do.

 

[newchickky]

found it!!

 

[newchickky]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=421122

 

[gotweim]

WOW! I really have been "baby-ing" them!! My husband will be very, very happy to hear this considering our electric bill was over $230 last month!!


Thanks so Much!!!

 

[Riverdale]

Quote:
Hi from the middle of the big mitten.
We have a flock of 14 hens and 1 roo.
Our coop is not heated, and the chickens decide
whether or not they want to go outside.

Last cold snap, a couple of them stuck their head
out the doo and went back in

 

[Riverdale]

Quote:
We are going to have one of our broody Buff Orps
hatch out a batch or chicks this spring.

She will get ther own "apartment" and a clutch
of a dozen eggs or so. If that works, we might
do a couple more over the course of the year.

 

[Olive Hill]

59 Days Until April 1

Unfortunately, we may be getting closer to spring but it's not nicer out there today. It's COLD. Brrr.

weim - Welcome to the Michigan thread. I'll just say I think your coop is too warm and leave it at that because everyone on this thread already knows that I feel -- strongly, so -- that heating coops is a no-no.

Jared - I do believe 5 is the bottom-side cut-off. Vicki should be able to tell you for sure. We've never done birds before, but my kids show horses. If 5 year olds can show horses, they can handle a bird so I wouldn't expect the age to be any different.

 

[vicki2x2]

Welcome to our new MI friends!

I am a 4-H leader. Regular 4-H member starts at 9 for full showing rights etc. but cloverbuds start at 5 and they still get to show, just in a more limited compacity so I doubt you are too young Jared. Glad to see more kids interested in 4-H, it is an awesome program!