Minnesota!

[lalaland]

nope, not too cold. After they've gone to roost, go check them. Pick them up and stick your fingers under their feathers, you will find they are toasty warm.

Not sure about the stall wall top. When they are roosting, look to see if you can see their toes sticking out. If so, you might want to put up a 2x4 flat , so they are on the 4" part. That way, they are basically sitting on their feet and their toes are covered with feathers. My roosts have always been the flat side, so I haven't had this experience myself of a bird freezing its toes but I was cautioned way back when about that potential problem. So could be old folks tale, could be true.

Its a good idea to try to routinely pick up your birds and check them out. roosting time is good for this. I manage this maybe once a month, more if something is going on. It lets you notice someone who is losing weight, etc. Not at all practical when you have lots of chickens, like minniechickmama, but for those of us with smaller flocks, very doable.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Bovan Brown are some kind of egg layers, a fellow near us was selling them. They produce like crazy for 2 years then burn out. We like the eggs but in the future we will go with heritage breeds. Love the Barred Rocks.

The bulb is a 175 watt bulb...didn't want to put a 250. So even though the poop is frozen solid it's not too cold? Scares me...and I'm a novice.

Yup. If they have a roost, then they will keep themselves warm on that. Take a look at my profile. The big building is not heated, and I have big windows on the south side their are open year-around. I have a roof over the outdoor runs and I am closing the ends and have plastic over the gates, but no heat, ever. Keep it dry, keep out drafts, and birds can withstand the temps.

 

[lalaland]

klopklop, those mice will stick corn everywhere

 

[cottonlouie]

The stall wall has a 4x2 for roosting because i figured they would roost on it. Guess my girls and roo will be okay! Last night my husband said "i don't think we can have outside animals, you worry so much!" He was only half joking. But I love those critters... And trying to be reasonable about livestock....

 

[Cebarmlds]

Cottonlouie are you the one with the unexpected baby goat or did I dream that?

 

[lalaland]

todays chicken report: I didn't get any eggs yesterday from the girls because they were so freaked by the new chickens. At dawn, there was a pileup at the only nest box they will use, poor girls needed to lay right now!

tonight, spent an hour and a half out in the run at dusk watching the new hens. They knew it was time to go in the coop, but couldn't figure it out. Some of them watched the 19 other chickens go in up the ramp.....but.... clucked and complained. The buff jumped up on the ramp, but couldn't figure out what to do next. I ended up putting each one on the ramp and kind of popping them in. They really really hate that 90 degree turn - they are looking ahead at a wall instead of to the right where the coop is.

absolutely dreading tomorrow night getting home in the dark and seeing where they are. And.....it is supposed to snow a bit tonight so who knows if the new ones will go outside to eat and drink if there is white stuff all over? And......I won't have a clue whether they went out or not. Tuesday will be the same.
Wed, I will be home.

Any opinions on whether the new chickens will eventually head out for water at least?

If I put water in the coop, they won't learn to go out. dang. I need a web cam.

 

[lalaland]

cotton louie, that's perfect!

and as for worrying, lol, see my post above!

 

[cottonlouie]

Cottonlouie are you the one with the unexpected baby goat or did I dream that?

Not me....but I sort of recall someone talking about that.

 

[cottonlouie]

Bovans, Asian Blue roosters (no longer with us), and me applying pressure to a wound on my goat. The goat is healing..

 

[cottonlouie]

Oh, and Margaret is the first pic....goofy chicken. I guess she is an ee.