Minnesota!

[destiny_56085]

They are at the fairgrounds. Dates aren't set yet, but usually 1 per month starting at the end of january. They start at 7am and people are heading home by 9-10 am. $3 admission for anyone over 16. If bringing birds to sell, make sure you meet the state's requirements for blood testing. If coming to buy, just bring plenty of carriers.

 

[TinkyFeathers]

I just turned the heat lamp on in the coop! It's so dang cooold!!
I'm so excited for more snow though lol

 

[Anna_MN]

I am a pround Minnesotan! I live in the Princeton area, about an hour north of the cities. I went out to my coop this morning and it was only 20 degrees in there!!!! I even had a 175 watt bulb- time to upgrade to the 250. My electric bill isn't going to like that!

 

[destiny_56085]

Unless you have some tiny finches or chicks out there, your chickens don't need the coop heated. They need a source of open water, no drafts, and clean dry bedding. I saw temps regularily in the -20's last year and my barn isn't heated. The birds do just fine.....

 

[sparkles2307]

Quote:
My BO roo got frostbite on his comb, and I had to hang a heat lamp during the coldest weeks because the heated fount-waterer froze. But otherwise, my chooks over-winter in an old grain bin with solid wood 2-layer walls and a ten inch thick cement pad floor so they do very well.

 

[destiny_56085]

We used to have some minorcas and exhibition leghorns....huge combs. They froze when we closed things off too much. We had to keep things clean and dry, but yet still have enough ventilation without having the coop drafty.

 

[Anna_MN]

I heat my coop because I want them to still lay for me every day. And since I only have 4 hens, it's not like there is a lot of body heat going around in my 6ft x 8ft coop! On the days I heat, I always get 4 eggs. On the days I don't heat, I only get 1 or 2.

 

[colleensstuff]

Quote:
I love my Silkies, they come running to see me when I open the door. I have to keep from stepping on they're toes when all crowd around my feet. Most of mine are Catdance.
My Barnevelders lay huge eggs, unfortunately I don't have rooster but I plan on getting a really nice one to breed to them

 

[phasianidae]

Quote:
I love my Silkies, they come running to see me when I open the door. I have to keep from stepping on they're toes when all crowd around my feet. Most of mine are Catdance.
My Barnevelders lay huge eggs, unfortunately I don't have rooster but I plan on getting a really nice one to breed to them

How do your Silkies do in the winter? My only Silkie decided that yesterday (-6 degrees) would be a great day to go broody

 

[TinkyFeathers]

Quote:
I try to go without the heat lamp for as long as I can but when it gets in the 10 and under range I turn it on. I don't want anything to happen, just a worry wart over here!