Minnesota!

[Minniechickmama]

I usually clean the coop and goat stall every week or two or three...going on three right now and the critters are spending a lot of time in there. It smells stronger than it has in the past. Tonight I really needed some chicken/goat tv so I bundled up, went out there, got some clean hay to sit on, and just parked my butt right there in the goat stall. The chickens obliged me with their presence (they can get in the goat stall and roost on the wall that divides their coop space from where the goats can hang out.) The smell truly wasn't too bad, it was there but not at all overwhelming. The goats got their attention and the the rooster, though he kept an eye on me, didn't seem too bent out of shape by my presence. Anyway, all this to ask, since the smell is simply there and not enough to chase me out, and since I was comfortable in my boots/coat/hat/mitts...then the barn must not be overly in need of cleaning and it must not be overly cold in there, eh?

I don't think it will hurt to let them go until after this cold snap breaks. If you had to take down some of the smell, you could use some barn lime in the litter for the time being. So long as you don't have a lot of moisture, I think they are fine. I swear, you would flip to go into my barn. I wasn't below zero in there today, just down to about 4-5 degrees. Putting the extra plastic up on the runs sure makes a difference. It is cold and their water freezes, but there isn't any wind blowing in, so it feels significantly warmer.
I only wear cheap jersey fabric gloves, and after the first few minutes my hands warms right up. They are cold until I get working and moving around, then they warm right up. If I get them wet, that is another story. I do have waterproof gloves I can put over them, but they get really cold and take a lot longer warm up from working. As long as one keeps moving and working and keeps the blood pumping, that will keep the hands warmer. DH thinks I am nuts. If I were carrying metal the whole time, that would be a different story, but all my handles and scoops are plastic that I use for the most part.
I will say, the top layers of the heated dog bowls freeze in this stuff. The birds keep a hole open on top, but I have break about a half inch layer of ice off most of them. I am hoping this is our last cold cold spell, but I know that is a long shot.

 

[Minniechickmama]

@Minniechickmama

Really like the color of Buckeyes, such a rich brown. What made you decide on this breed? Other than it's the only APA breed created by a female.

One thing you don't want to say to a Buckeye breeder, is that their birds look brown. The color should be a rich, dark, mahogany bay. That is more along the lines of red. In fact, in her writings about the breed she developed, Nettie Metcalf, the creator of the Buckeye breed stated that "their color should be so dark of red that from a distance they appear black". That was over 100-years ago, and the APA has put their own twists on the breed since then, but still, the goal of most of us Buckeye breeders is to make them as dark as we can without having black showing where it shouldn't be and keeping the color more red than brown. Not as easy as it would seem, especially when you also have to maintain a slate under color on the back as well. It gets tricky.

 

[lalaland]

What was the coffee you tasted overseas?

cafe au lait - I was freezing so wanted something hot. when I got home, I wanted that same taste so....

glad some of your hens are dropping the broody routine!

I usually clean the coop and goat stall every week or two or three...going on three right now and the critters are spending a lot of time in there. It smells stronger than it has in the past. Tonight I really needed some chicken/goat tv so I bundled up, went out there, got some clean hay to sit on, and just parked my butt right there in the goat stall. The chickens obliged me with their presence (they can get in the goat stall and roost on the wall that divides their coop space from where the goats can hang out.) The smell truly wasn't too bad, it was there but not at all overwhelming. The goats got their attention and the the rooster, though he kept an eye on me, didn't seem too bent out of shape by my presence. Anyway, all this to ask, since the smell is simply there and not enough to chase me out, and since I was comfortable in my boots/coat/hat/mitts...then the barn must not be overly in need of cleaning and it must not be overly cold in there, eh?

very good reasoning!

That was most definitely a selling point for me, but I find them to be the most functional, practical breed available. They are, in my opinion, the best dual purpose breed. Not all lines are the same, but the ones I have produce a very good number of eggs, laying almost daily from the start of their season, which they have already been laying for a couple of weeks, until about July, then they do drop down on production during the hottest weather. Then they will stop for molt. As for the meat side of the DP, a 24-week cockerel will give you about a 4-4.5# dressed carcass, very good sized drumstick and a good amount of breast for a pure breed. They have a wonderful temperament and the only time you find a mean one is either where a breeder was careless and didn't take temperament into account or there was a just a mutant in the bunch. I have never experienced a mean Buckeye in my flock, ever. The hens are plenty to eat when their laying days are behind them as well. I have some hens who tip the scale at 8 pounds.
They are super hardy, they have pea combs that do not get frostbite easily and very slight wattles as well. As far as durability, these are the best I have ever had. I don't find anything about them that I would say is a trait I don't like. They aren't as flashy as some breeds/varieties, but they make up for that in everything else.

everytime you talk about buckeyes I want some from your lines! maybe things will go right this spring with timing and hatching eggs, for sure I will have plenty of broodies.

 

[lalaland]

flock is pretty miserable this morning. everyone fed and watered and hunkered down. rescued one egg before it froze.

have a great day everyone and stay warm!

 

[LTC Steve]

I only have 4. Most stay out, but I have seen some coming out when I get closer to the pen.

 

[destiny_56085]

Happy Birthday Minnie!!!!!!!

 

[holm25]

Happy Birthday!!

 

[FoxyChicken]

-7 is quite pleasant once the wind dies down. My buckeye is actually venturing outside, everybody else is roosted up in the greenhouse soaking up the rays.

Happy birthday Minnie!

 

[holm25]

Minnie are birthdays are a week apart!! Mine is next Monday!

 

[scandiafowl]

Happy Birthday Minnie!