Montana

[DuginMT]

Wishing you lots of new hens, Karla! I found this nice big manufactured galvanized water base heater that looks like a very large cookie tin heater. Found it at Western Ranch Supply. I think it costs about $50. I will probably go that route instead of making a cookie-tin heater. I believe it has a thermostat in it, so shuts off during the warm days.

Doug

 

[montanachicks]

Doug: the type of heater you have is the same as mine. it stays plugged in all winter but only comes on when temps go below freezing in the coop. I used it all last winter; I know it turned on because I felt the base with my bare hand & could feel a slight warmth, but never once had a problem with any layers of frozen water, ice, etc on the water. The tin can heater would make me nervous. Got mine at Big R and I think it was around $35.00.

 

[karlamaria]

Doug: the type of heater you have is the same as mine. it stays plugged in all winter but only comes on when temps go below freezing in the coop. I used it all last winter; I know it turned on because I felt the base with my bare hand & could feel a slight warmth, but never once had a problem with any layers of frozen water, ice, etc on the water. The tin can heater would make me nervous. Got mine at Big R and I think it was around $35.00.

Is this what you are all talking about?
http://www.strombergschickens.com/prod_detail_list/fount-heaters

This last winter I decided to hang a heat lamp above the water dish, turned it on when it was super cold so the water did not freeze, turned it off during the day because unless it was below zero out side my waterers stayed Un frozen because of it being so insulated and the place being wrapped up so good to keep cold drafts out.

 

[Rhiahl]

Hi!

Thought I'd jump in here and let you all know I'm lurking

I'm in Clancy, MT (between Helena and Butte) and looking at setting up for chickens in the spring. Since I'm in a really mountainous situation, I've been going over and over what the best set up would be for up to 5 birds. I'm taking the easy route initially and going for Australorps and Buff Orpingtons. I want a dual bird good cold tolerance, yada, yada, yada. Not that I plan on eating them but, hey, you never know so I'm covering my bases!

I'm also looking at miniature cattle to come up with a milk cow that is smaller and doesn't dump 8 gallons of milk on me a day I mean my cheese making could probably keep up but I have a job So, the minis give 2 - 4 gallons a day. Manageable. So, off to Havre on Saturday and St. Ignatius on Monday to look over some mini Jerseys! I'm so excited.

My husband grew up here on a small family cow/calf operation. They had chickens but he literally hates them. When he was six, he got a baby chick for Easter and he hugged it so hard he killed it. It was pretty traumatic for him and he's out of the poultry stuff. He has told me I'm on my own. Well, dear after 26 years I had figured that out before I brought it up He is willing to help with the building, fencing and set up. How awful for a little kid though and I think he doesn't really hate them, he's afraid he'll hurt them.

I loved the thread about composting in the chicken runs, that was fascinating so my thinking of management changes every day. Now, I'm thinking of separate posts with some type of hooks so I can move hardware cloth panels down the posts as the chickens use their runs up. Add on the compost piles at the end and see if anything happens! The benefit to the post set ups would be that I can dual use the posts for fencing for the mini Jersey and the Lowline mini beef cows later (mini Angus cows). Posts stay permanent, but I can move panels and wire in standard lengths.

So much to learn and so many people with amazing ideas! Very cool!

 

[DuginMT]

Welcome Rhiahl and good luck with your set-up. I hope you find it as therapeutic as I did! Yep, Karla, the heater I am looking at is just like the one in your link. Thanks MontanaChicks for the raving heater review!

 

[Rhiahl]

Ugh, lost the first post!

I could use therapy right now. Seriously. I want some routine established with something.

I put out my travel plans for this weekend and forgot to mention I have a boat load of dogs. Herding dogs, show dogs, hunting, and guardian livestock dogs. I used to do a lot of the spay/neuter clinics for dogs and cats statewide a few years back and we have quite the transportation network set up for moving dogs and cats between shelters in Montana. Plus, the dog kennels to do it with.

So, if anyone near the Helena area needs to move chickens up to Havre I can take them. I don't have a place to keep them in Havre to continue on with them to St. Ignatius, but I could pick up chickens in the St. Ignatius/Lake County/Missoula area and bring them back to the Helena area late Monday if anyone needs them moved. Would be happy to do it.

I'm leaving Helena around 7 am on Saturday and I work nights. So, if you need transportation let me know and I'll send you a cell number and email. I can hook up with you as late at midnight on Friday.

Distance is irrelevant in Montana, our big state is open to all of us and drives are great fun for me this time of year. So, I'd be happy to do this if someone needs it.

Charlotte

 

[montanachicks]

Welcome, Rhiahl!

 

[montanachicks]

Is this what you are all talking about?
http://www.strombergschickens.com/prod_detail_list/fount-heaters

This last winter I decided to hang a heat lamp above the water dish, turned it on when it was super cold so the water did not freeze, turned it off during the day because unless it was below zero out side my waterers stayed Un frozen because of it being so insulated and the place being wrapped up so good to keep cold drafts out.

Karla, yes, this is exactly what mine looks like, only ... OMG

, you need to shop around if you get one. This price is terrible. !!

 

[montanachicks]

One thing I didn't mention about the heater, Doug: I don't put mine directly on the floor of the coop. I actually went to Ace Hardware & bought a big round stepping stone (about 1" high, and bigger across than the heater base), then set the heater on that. The stepping stone was about $3-$4.

 

[DuginMT]

Thanks MontanaChicks. Yes, I also plan to perch my heater base on a 2" thick concrete cinder block, to protect the vinyl and to help keep the trough clean on the waterer. At only 100 Watts though, I can't imagine the metal getting very hot. The thermostat is a great feature, and should save quite a bit of juice this winter!