Minnesota!

[holm25]

Anyone going to want ducklings this spring. I have a list with people who want some and can add more people.

 

[ejb3810]

Nathan, much depends upon what breed of bantam you have. Unless they are extremely small ( such as Dutch) or have very large combs they in all likelihood do not need supplemental heat.
I have or have kept Sebrights, Hamburgs, Rose comb Campines and Maiden Rocks with no supplemental heat. They are at night in a coop without draft or high humidity. Wet and cold is potential death to Chickens, as opposed to Ducks and Geese.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Can't wait to try it.

Blanch ranch this is for you:

And me...

 

[NathanZee]

Hi Nathan. I do not know about bantams either. Sorry. I do have geese and ducks. Are you housing the ducks, geese and chickens together in one spot? The waterfowl won't need heat.

Edited to add that the fowl and chickens should not be house together if you didn't already know that.

They are all together in one barn, but the chickens are in a section of the barn that is fenced off. I have african geese and I have heard their knobs can freeze, so shouldn't I have a heat lamp for them? And are mallards just as hardy as domestics?

 

[NathanZee]

Nathan, much depends upon what breed of bantam you have. Unless they are extremely small ( such as Dutch) or have very large combs they in all likelihood do not need supplemental heat.
I have or have kept Sebrights, Hamburgs, Rose comb Campines and Maiden Rocks with no supplemental heat. They are at night in a coop without draft or high humidity. Wet and cold is potential death to Chickens, as opposed to Ducks and Geese.

I have old english game and maiden rock. Do you still have Maiden rocks?

 

[ejb3810]

Some of the Old English are quite small, and so I might be concerned about them in below zero weather?
I don't have Maiden Rocks at this time. If I could find some I would quite likely get them again. I suspect they have died out.
I had the chance to have the original flock when Dan Powell got out of chickens but passed on it. I now regret that decision.

 

[NathanZee]

Some of the Old English are quite small, and so I might be concerned about them in below zero weather?
I don't have Maiden Rocks at this time. If I could find some I would quite likely get them again. I suspect they have died out.
I had the chance to have the original flock when Dan Powell got out of chickens but passed on it. I now regret that decision.

Okay, I think I will set up a heat lamp for them.

 

[KlopKlop]

Looking forward to hearing how camp day went today! I just took my chicken out of the smoker. Yum yum yum!

 

[Minniechickmama]

Hello, I live in Mn with 2 geese, 12 ducks, and 3 chickens. Would one heat lamp keep the barn warm enough so the little bantams don't freeze?

What kind of bantams? Are you keeping then with the waterfowl? What is your coop like?
I never recommend a heat lamp, but give us more details of your situation.

I read on and saw what you had told ejb.
I would look into something like a flat panel heater or a sweeter heater. I would look at enclosing their space a bit for so they can hold in some of their own heat.

 

[lalaland]

its my turn to whine about only 3 posts! sat down with a glass of wine and .....only 3!!!

I'm beat. worked on the quail pen - simple design but really hard to screw in frame when nothing to hold it. Had to go to town for a couple 2x4's. I'm stymied by the door...so still have work to do.

Dug up a lilac bush that was overtaking the doorway, and dug a new hole and planted it.

Took out the pen in the coop for Ralphie's creamer roo, and put it outside on a frame for Petunia, who is broody.

Dug up a big garlic bed, planted armenian and chesnok, and a little german. I was disappointed in the german, the cloves were way too small for planting. THe chickens helped me, until I realized they were really trying to distract me while the rest of the flock munched on the brussel sprouts.

Dug up the sweet potatoes. First time I've ever tried them, and they were small. A first I thought I didn't get any, but then I realized they go really deep, much deeper than potatoes.

Did laundry and hung it out.

Mowed a couple of acres.

Caught grasshoppers for the quails. My chickens are disappointed, I used to catch hoppers for them.

I miss being younger. I'm wiped out and I used to be able to do this and then head out for the evening. Now I'm headed for a hot bath and bed!