Minnesota!

[duluthralphie]

My chickens think frogs, toads, and the occasional red bellied snake are treats. LOL. I also once found a dead mouse in the coop.

I keep my feed in barrels to try and keep mice out. It fails!


The darn things get into the barrels but cannot get out again. The other day there were 2 of them in the barrel. I scooped them up in the corn "pitcher" and threw them to the chickens. They love the treat. The Black Australorp Rooster was the first to pounce. They must eat them I never find a dead one lying around. I wish I had more mice. Good cheap protein!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

My Feed is kept in the car garage away from the coop in aluminum cans. But the lids are usually kitty wompass or there's too much fee to get the lids on tight. But just emptied out the can two days ago and two mice were in there and couldn't get out (because the bag was gone to prevent them from climbing out. My son took 'em out for me while I was gone to conferences. I don't think he took them to the chickens though. The coop is about 250 yards away from the garage.

 

[jailerjoe]

Huh... I've been mostly lurking since back in February/March when I decided I needed chickens and just now found this Minnesota thread.

Hello from sunny Park Rapids!

I've learned so much from BYC but the more I learn the more questions I have!

Anyway, I'm nervous as heck about about my chickens and the cold weather and I know it's only going to get worse. They seem to be doing great but it's winter in Minnesota for crying out loud. :/ I love those stupid chickens and I'm sure I worry too much.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Welcome jailerjoe:

what breeds do you have? Hens or roosters? Winter is a nasty beast here for chickening...but they thrive nonetheless. Sounds like you care a great deal for them. Keep an eye on them. Everybody has a different style on wintering birds.

 

[jailerjoe]

Thanks!

We have a variety (see my signature). We bought 12 chicks back in April and ended up with eleven beutiful girls and one gorgeous Silver Laced Wyandotte rooster. I'd say that's just about right! Of course chicken math has kicked in since and I'm planning on placing an order for twenty more this week for arrival in March. The coop I made this last spring is way too small so this fall we bought a really nice 12 x 20 shed built by a local Ahmish guy. My wife was very skeptical last spring when I talked her into chickens but she was the one that suggested we spend close to $3k on the new shed!

 

[FoxyChicken]

Bogtown I just saw your coop over on facebook! Looks like BYC is featuring it as coop of the week or something. You probably already knew that, but I just got excited when I saw it. Hey! I know that coop!

 

[Rani]

Huh... I've been mostly lurking since back in February/March when I decided I needed chickens and just now found this Minnesota thread.

Hello from sunny Park Rapids!

I've learned so much from BYC but the more I learn the more questions I have!

Anyway, I'm nervous as heck about about my chickens and the cold weather and I know it's only going to get worse. They seem to be doing great but it's winter in Minnesota for crying out loud.

I love those stupid chickens and I'm sure I worry too much.

I live at this site when I'm neurotic about my first flock. First winter. I'm taking the old-timers word for it that our chickens will be just find. Last night, it got down to the single digits outside - my coop down to about 10F. This morning they all looked quite happy. One looks like she may have a wee bit of frostbite on the very tips of her comb. I'll have to ventilate the roof a bit more. But otherwise, they seem fine. It's hard to believe until I see those little chickadees at my bird feeder and then I think . . . huh. . . I think my pampered hens will be fine. Still...

Did you buy an remote temp gauge with humidity reading? That's been kind of nice to have - especially since it's my first winter. I can keep a close eye on the humidity. BTW, our hen house is not insulated and we are not heating it.

The shed sounds nice!! I'm envious of your large flock and rooster. I'm not even supposed to have chickens in my city limits, so a rooster is definitely not an option for us.

What winter modifications have you done?

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Thanks!

We have a variety (see my signature). We bought 12 chicks back in April and ended up with eleven beutiful girls and one gorgeous Silver Laced Wyandotte rooster. I'd say that's just about right! Of course chicken math has kicked in since and I'm planning on placing an order for twenty more this week for arrival in March. The coop I made this last spring is way too small so this fall we bought a really nice 12 x 20 shed built by a local Ahmish guy. My wife was very skeptical last spring when I talked her into chickens but she was the one that suggested we spend close to $3k on the new shed!

You should be good. The rooster's comb type is perfect for MN. The wife is just ensuring that the property value goes up. LOL. Good girl.... Sounds like spoiled chickens. I guess with winter. Keep the coop ventilated and without drafts. Wide perches (broad side of a 2 x 4 up) to cover toes. keep the poop frozen or cleaned out.

Bogtown I just saw your coop over on facebook! Looks like BYC is featuring it as coop of the week or something. You probably already knew that, but I just got excited when I saw it. Hey! I know that coop!

Thanks Foxy. I just saw it too.... oh my gosh. I feel really self conscious right now. if only they could see that ram shackle up close. you'd all laugh.

 

[jailerjoe]

I live at this site when I'm neurotic about my first flock.  First winter.  I'm taking the old-timers word for it that our chickens will be just find.   Last night, it got down to the single digits outside - my coop down to about 10F.  This morning they all looked quite happy.  One looks like she may have a wee bit of frostbite on the very tips of her comb.  I'll have to ventilate the roof a bit more.  But otherwise, they seem fine.  It's hard to believe until I see those little chickadees at my bird feeder and then I think . . . huh. . . I think my pampered hens will be fine.  Still...

Did you buy an remote temp gauge with humidity reading?  That's been kind of nice to have - especially since it's my first winter.  I can keep a close eye on the humidity.  BTW, our hen house is not insulated and we are not heating it. 

The shed sounds nice!!  I'm envious of your large flock and rooster.  I'm not even supposed to have chickens in my city limits, so a rooster is definitely not an option for us.  

What winter modifications have you done?

Yes I have a remote gauge. Hummidity is hovering around 50. Don't know if that's too high or not. I hope not. I can put in more ventilation if it gets too high. I did insulate but altough I wired it with a receptical for a heat lamp, I'm too chicken to turn it on. After reading about every thread I could about wintering chickens, I think I did the right thing. I'll probably change my mind when it hits -40.

The only real modifcation was that I wrapped half my run in plastic. I'm thinking about doing more after today as I'm pretty sure none of my chickens left the coop.

 

[jailerjoe]

You should be good.  The rooster's comb type is perfect for MN.  The wife is just ensuring that the property value goes up. LOL. Good girl....  Sounds like spoiled chickens. I guess with winter. Keep the coop ventilated and without drafts.  Wide perches (broad side of a 2 x 4 up) to cover toes.  keep the poop frozen or cleaned out.

Thanks Foxy. I just saw it too....  oh my gosh. I feel really self conscious right now. if only they could see that ram shackle up close. you'd all laugh. 

 

I was actually kind of speechless when she suggested it and then recovered enough to put up token resistance so I could remind her latter that it was her idea. LOL.

I'm deep litter here and made my roosts out of 2 x 4's. Not sure the poop will be frozen or not since I've heard that with DL composting continues in the winter and will put off a little heat. I'm skeptical.