Hi,
With this awfully cold weather (I think it was something like 4 degrees this morning), I have been worrying about frozen eggs. So I am going out as often as I can to gather them up and check on the chickens. Im not sure what to do, but I havent let them out of the coops, as I feel they will be a bit warmer in a smaller, enclosed area. Tonight, hubby is coming home with some heat lamps, so that should help. I have left some lights on for them all along, but they arent heat lamps.
But, in the coop where I keep my Silkies, I dont think I have to worry about the frozen eggs at all! Three out of seven are broody and they are keeping themselves busy gathering everyone elses eggs and sitting on them. So I doubt those eggs will ever freeze! This may be a good solution to avoid frozen eggs! If your hens will get along with some Silkies, it might not be a bad idea to add a few to your flock come spring so they will be ready to set by next winter. Out of my seven Silkie hens, there are usually at least two or three that are broody at any given time. I know it sounds a little crazy, but its working for me!
I even have some Leghorns with the Silkies (I did add them when they were only about 3 months old) and they have been together since June with no problems. I also added a young EE later on who began laying in November (gorgeous green eggs) and she gets on with the Silkies, also.
I hope everyone is faring well with this dreadful cold snap and that it will be over soon! Genie
With this awfully cold weather (I think it was something like 4 degrees this morning), I have been worrying about frozen eggs. So I am going out as often as I can to gather them up and check on the chickens. Im not sure what to do, but I havent let them out of the coops, as I feel they will be a bit warmer in a smaller, enclosed area. Tonight, hubby is coming home with some heat lamps, so that should help. I have left some lights on for them all along, but they arent heat lamps.
But, in the coop where I keep my Silkies, I dont think I have to worry about the frozen eggs at all! Three out of seven are broody and they are keeping themselves busy gathering everyone elses eggs and sitting on them. So I doubt those eggs will ever freeze! This may be a good solution to avoid frozen eggs! If your hens will get along with some Silkies, it might not be a bad idea to add a few to your flock come spring so they will be ready to set by next winter. Out of my seven Silkie hens, there are usually at least two or three that are broody at any given time. I know it sounds a little crazy, but its working for me!
I even have some Leghorns with the Silkies (I did add them when they were only about 3 months old) and they have been together since June with no problems. I also added a young EE later on who began laying in November (gorgeous green eggs) and she gets on with the Silkies, also.
I hope everyone is faring well with this dreadful cold snap and that it will be over soon! Genie
