Minnesota!

[AmericanKraut]

Thank you for the welcome Chickenchick11! No, I don't think I want to go out at -20 and do the bag balm lol. I think some heat source could help. But I think Cluckies or someone had said their chickens go out into the run during the day no matter the cold and don't want to be in the coop until night anyway.

 

[cmom]

Some of my brothers birds. They prefer to go into his barn and won't use their coop.

 

[lalaland]

Hi again -
I don't know if they have nerves in their combs or not. Maybe someone else knows the answer to that one.

The RIR roo that lost part of his comb last year has shown no signs of frostbite this year, not even a tiny bit of greying. I wonder - have others found this to be the case as well?

You should start chicks on starter (20-22% crude protein). I use unmedicated, but you may decide your situation warrants it. Some switch to grower at some point (18-20% crude protein), but I keep mine on starter until butchering day or just before point-of-lay or when I introduce them to the main laying flock, at which point I begin offering layer ration (16-17% crude protein plus minerals necessary for optimal laying).

As far as local feeds, I will pm you so this doesn't get too lengthy.

I would love to hear what you have found locally - I'm upriver from you between Pine CIty and HInckley - still not totally pleased with the feed mills I have acces to. Either PM or maybe just paste your info on the thread? Never know who is reading and not posting or who else might be itnerested too - thanks!

 

[AmericanKraut]

cmom, they look lovely out in the snow!

Lalaland, she knows of a place in Amery and one in Cannon Falls, maybe she'll get the details. So not near by but it sounds like the Cannon Falls one delivers up this way a few times a year for a fee.

 

[Chickenchick11]

Thank you for the welcome Chickenchick11! No, I don't think I want to go out at -20 and do the bag balm lol. I think some heat source could help. But I think Cluckies or someone had said their chickens go out into the run during the day no matter the cold and don't want to be in the coop until night anyway.

I understand completely, I have a RIR hen with a large comb who has gotten frostbite terribly this year, and going out when it's -20 to put Bag Balm on her comb is no fun. LOL.

I know plenty of people who's chickens enjoy the snow. Mine on the other hand think it's a chicken eating monster. LOL.

 

[lalaland]

cmom, they look lovely out in the snow!

Lalaland, she knows of a place in Amery and one in Cannon Falls, maybe she'll get the details. So not near by but it sounds like the Cannon Falls one delivers up this way a few times a year for a fee.

yup, dandelioness pm'd me with some info - really good info on what she has found re health of birds on various feeds from her experience or friends experience.

I get feed from askov/mooselake feed mill - a grower feed at 18% but it does have soy. haven't found an affordable soy free or gmo free feed. I'm thinking of raising some birds for meat this summer - and it was interesting to hear her experiences.

 

[duluthralphie]

Lalaland..

Just so you know, it is snowing here today.....

I am remembering how you taunted Mother Nature!!!

have a good one

 

[lalaland]

yeah, but its so beautiful! light fat flakes....snow globe....and its still plenty warm. almost 25F. she's not thumbing her nose at me. yet.

 

[Minniechickmama]

American Kraut - Welcome to the world of chickens! and to the thread!
I do believe chickens have nerves in their combs, they must to feel when you touch them. Getting frostbite on your birds pretty much sucks, but in this climate, the only real way to avoid it is to get breeds that have more suitable combs for the climate, like pea combs, cushion combs, or walnut combs. Some rosecombs can handle it, but with those who have the longer spikes on the backs, they too get bitten off in the cold. I keep single combs anyway and find that those kept inside and DRY will suffer less frostbite. If they get wet in rain or slush or wet snow then it gets below 20-degrees, they will get damage. Now, I am mostly referring to the males. Females with larger single combs will get some damage as well in those cases. I have Welsummers and the males just can't make it through without losing half their combs and half their wattles. It is not fun to see that happen to them, but it is what it is. I love the breed and even with the use of Vicks or Bag Balm or Vaseline, I have not been about completely stave off frostbite on that breed. However, I used to breed Minorcas for the last 4 years (decided to cut back on some breeds this year and they went), and those birds got very little if any frostbite, and I am certain it was because their combs were thicker and therefore had more heat going to those parts. I don't add heat and I don't believe in adding heat and I even go so far as advising against adding heat to coops except for brooding chicks and juvies. What I do advise is keep your coop and birds clean and DRY DRY DRY. However, as many of us experienced this year, there are days when the humidity gets so high that keeping moisture out is near impossible.
Now, to plug my favorite breed for this climate... BUCKEYES!!! They are a fantastically hardy breed, developed as a northern bird that will withstand the cold. They are also (in my opinion) the perfect dual purpose breed which will produce a very good number of eggs and grow a very substantial carcass in a relatively short time compared to several other dual purpose breeds I have bred and raised. My Buckeyes have indoor/outdoor runs, and not a day goes by that they are not out in that run. They are the least bothered by the cold. They are also a very calm and even friendly without handling kind of breed. Rarely is a male aggressive toward humans and even aggression toward other birds is somewhat minimal, although, the hens do like to dominate other breeds when I turn them out on pasture.
Also, I find good sized Easter Eggers with small combs to hold up well in the cold, as well as Ameraucanas, Cochins (thought not great egg layers, are super friendly/calm).

Good luck with your start and enjoy this new world you are entering. It will take over your day in a hurry, but also in a good way. Just know, you have plenty of support here!

 

[duluthralphie]

If you keep talking about them there BUCKEYES< I might just have to get me one, or two..

I have frostbite on all my roosters combs,

With the exception of my CX rooster, Bert. Bert, and his two girl friends live in an old garage I have screen fence on for the front, it is as close to open air as you can get, By some miracle Bert has escaped damage to his comb.

even my turkeys have some spots on their waddles and snoods, but over all they have done ok, The turkeys Toms are too stupid to go into any of the buildings or even under cover of the leantoos I have around here.


My feather loss on the backs of my chickens is clearing up and I see feathers coming back in, after moving the Guineas to "Gulag Guinea".