Michigan

[citalk2much]

The happiest thing on the news was Wednesday the temperature is going to be above freezing
Then they broke my heart by saying temperature was falling again on Thursday when I get to be out all morning in it again. Darn it.

 

[Wynette]

Sure is! I read an article that stated it must be below 10 degrees for (I believe) 4 days straight in order to kill most bad bacterias, AND insect larvae...like MOSQUITOS!!! Does anyone recall about 3 years ago how bad the mosquitos were in the summer? Supposedly, that was because we never had a long enough stretch of sub-zero temps to kill off all the larvae from the previous summer/fall, so when they hatched, plus the new ones, we had double the amount! EEEKKKK!!!

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
yep. that's why there were so many wasps also. they were emerging as young adults instead of 'babies' so to speak.

 

[wyliefarms]

too cold out this morning!!!!

Schools closed in our county. Found out too late that our homeschool classes are on. Assumed they were cancelled since the schools were. So we are enjoying a nice quiet day at home.

I am feeling much better this morning! No one else is sick so things are looking good here.

Keep warm everyone. Debating on turning on a heat lamp for the chickens....but only have one light and 3 coops....

Have a great day!
Sarah

 

[miss_jayne]

my layers have laid right through the cold! yeah! already 3 of 5 laid this morning. one is being 'processed' right now.

the ladies are busting their humps and earning their keep. of course that means i have to go outside to get said eggs...

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
nope. no lamps and no heat. they are doing just peachy.

all chickens that are layers are laying on the same schedule they have been.

 

[shelleyb1969]

I've got a red frizzle bantam cochin hen that started laying a few weeks ago and she's continued right through this cold, too! And I've got a bantam orpington hen who built her first nest yesterday...so she'll be laying any day now as well. I have a 60 watt light bulb in my 20x30 coop...it's on from around 9am until 4pm.

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
you didn't complain, just stated facts.

not a fault either, to not add lights. they have natural cycles that their bodies require. it's smart to let them rest, IMHO. it wont be long until the days are long enough to trigger their bodies to get the job done.

 

[Wynette]

Speaking of laying, I have two Isa Browns that I bought as already laying pullets from a fellow BYC-er that was selling all her birds. Anyway....the one has laid 25 days in a row (including this a.m.). I feel badly for her, and wish she'd take a break! My heck, she's gonna be all used up by next year! The other Isa lays 3-4 days on, 1 day off...those birds are amazing.

 

[Steve]

Wow...ya'll been chatty since I been gone.

Anyone got a good link/thread/explanation of molt?

One of my Buff Orpingtons has started, I need to know what to do/expect/care for her.

Now remember, I ain't a seasoned chicken farmer like ya'll

so all this is new to me.