Neighbor Concerns: Are they valid? [winter/cold climate]

[apriljohnson11]

Hi everyone,

I've just heard a second-hand complaint about how I care for my backyard hens. I'm just not sure how to feel about it. The complaint was passed on to me via my neighbor, who is also my hen sitter, and a self-proclaimed "animal-lover" who calls/talks to me frequently about the state of my birds. She is a really sweet lady, but I personally think she might be too emotionally invested.

Anyway. She just called me, crying, to relay concerns from "other neighbors" that think my birds are not being cared for well enough. I just want to check with all the experts out there in similar situations...are my "other neighbors" correct?

We live in North Dakota, and we sometimes have winter storms that dump several inches of snow at once, with wind. I knew the weather would be tough for some breeds, so I made sure to find cold-hardy breeds. My six hens live inside an insulated and heated coop, inside a 10x10x6 chain link dog kennel with a roof and tarped walls (for wind break). They get special food supplements in the winter to help put on fatty insulation. They have heated drinking water. I clean their coop regularly and rake/clean their run. I think the birds are thriving.

I need reassurance, or correction. I need to hear from people who raise hens in cold climates. Please help me make the right changes for the girls if any are necessary. I really don't think they are suffering, but my "animal-lover" neighbor is making me second guess myself.

Thanks!

-April

 

[alwaystj9]

Can you ask your neighbor for specifics? That complaint is too broad and how many of your neighbors, aside from her, know the details of your chicken-keeping? It sounds as if you are doing fairly well, what size is your coop? I see your run is 10x10x6, is the coop inside that?

 

[NatJ]

My six hens live inside an insulated and heated coop, inside a 10x10x6 chain link dog kennel with a roof and tarped walls (for wind break).

The neighbors might be seeing the dog kennel with tarp, and not know about the coop inside it.

 

[nuthatched]

I'd ask your neighbor for specifics, and ask her to tell anyone who has concerns that they should go to you instead of gossiping about it.

 

[apriljohnson11]

I'd ask your neighbor for specifics, and ask her to tell anyone who has concerns that they should go to you instead of gossiping about it.

I told her exactly that. I have a feeling that these "other neighbors" are really just her.

 

[apriljohnson11]

Can you ask your neighbor for specifics? That complaint is too broad and how many of your neighbors, aside from her, know the details of your chicken-keeping? It sounds as if you are doing fairly well, what size is your coop? I see your run is 10x10x6, is the coop inside that?

The coop is inside the run, in the most weather-protected corner. Snow doesn't touch the coop itself.

 

[Sapphire Sebright]

Hi everyone,

I've just heard a second-hand complaint about how I care for my backyard hens. I'm just not sure how to feel about it. The complaint was passed on to me via my neighbor, who is also my hen sitter, and a self-proclaimed "animal-lover" who calls/talks to me frequently about the state of my birds. She is a really sweet lady, but I personally think she might be too emotionally invested.

Anyway. She just called me, crying, to relay concerns from "other neighbors" that think my birds are not being cared for well enough. I just want to check with all the experts out there in similar situations...are my "other neighbors" correct?

We live in North Dakota, and we sometimes have winter storms that dump several inches of snow at once, with wind. I knew the weather would be tough for some breeds, so I made sure to find cold-hardy breeds. My six hens live inside an insulated and heated coop, inside a 10x10x6 chain link dog kennel with a roof and tarped walls (for wind break). They get special food supplements in the winter to help put on fatty insulation. They have heated drinking water. I clean their coop regularly and rake/clean their run. I think the birds are thriving.

I need reassurance, or correction. I need to hear from people who raise hens in cold climates. Please help me make the right changes for the girls if any are necessary. I really don't think they are suffering, but my "animal-lover" neighbor is making me second guess myself.

Thanks!

-April

That is quite a broad complaint, and looking at your other posts, your birds seem to be well housed. My own coop is quite spacious (it used to be a small barn for goats) and has no heating -- just the wooden walls and a bunch of bedding. I live in Maine, and have yet to lose any birds to the cold; they just snuggle up in a ball of feathers on the perch.
Perhaps you could show her your setup and explain how they're insulated and well cared-for, in addition to a quick reminder that chickens have quite a layer of insulation of their own and are surprisingly hardy -- especially when there are several who can cuddle up together.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Hi everyone,

I've just heard a second-hand complaint about how I care for my backyard hens. I'm just not sure how to feel about it. The complaint was passed on to me via my neighbor, who is also my hen sitter, and a self-proclaimed "animal-lover" who calls/talks to me frequently about the state of my birds. She is a really sweet lady, but I personally think she might be too emotionally invested.

Anyway. She just called me, crying, to relay concerns from "other neighbors" that think my birds are not being cared for well enough. I just want to check with all the experts out there in similar situations...are my "other neighbors" correct?

We live in North Dakota, and we sometimes have winter storms that dump several inches of snow at once, with wind. I knew the weather would be tough for some breeds, so I made sure to find cold-hardy breeds. My six hens live inside an insulated and heated coop, inside a 10x10x6 chain link dog kennel with a roof and tarped walls (for wind break). They get special food supplements in the winter to help put on fatty insulation. They have heated drinking water. I clean their coop regularly and rake/clean their run. I think the birds are thriving.

I need reassurance, or correction. I need to hear from people who raise hens in cold climates. Please help me make the right changes for the girls if any are necessary. I really don't think they are suffering, but my "animal-lover" neighbor is making me second guess myself.

Thanks!

-April

Your doing fine

 

[MTKitty]

I’m in south central Montana. The last two nights have gone below zero. We have winds constantly - anything under 10 mph is “calm.” Most of the time it’s 12-15 mph, at least.

I have 17 chickens in an uninsulated, unheated 80sq ft coop. I use deep bedding on the floor. They haven’t stepped foot outside since the temps went to the teens. My only concession to the cold weather is to swap out water buckets three times a day to be sure they have water and to top off the feeder twice a day.

They’re four months old and a cold-hardy breed. When the weather is better, they will come out and do chicken things. For now, they stay inside and entertain themselves.

Based on the set-up you describe for your chickens, they are pampered by comparison to my flock.

 

[apriljohnson11]

That is quite a broad complaint, and looking at your other posts, your birds seem to be well housed. My own coop is quite spacious (it used to be a small barn for goats) and has no heating -- just the wooden walls and a bunch of bedding. I live in Maine, and have yet to lose any birds to the cold; they just snuggle up in a ball of feathers on the perch.
Perhaps you could show her your setup and explain how they're insulated and well cared-for, in addition to a quick reminder that chickens have quite a layer of insulation of their own and are surprisingly hardy -- especially when there are several who can cuddle up together.

Hi Sapphire. My neighbor is very familiar with the coop/run since she is my go-to chicken sitter. I have given her all the stats/facts about the breeds. She has heard me defend their welfare numerous times.

I'm glad to hear from another cold-climate chicken raiser. I'm starting to feel better about the situation. Her complaints have just gotten me...doubtful I guess. But I think either all my research and observations for the past three years are wrong...or she is.