new to chickens in western ky

[liz9910]

 

[reinvestment]

I'm rather new to this site also. I live in No. Ind but I have acreage in Ky, so.central. It's beautiful and FOR SALE. W ish I could pick my whole family and move back down there.
Australorps are great layers but I have Wyandottes too and they are also. They also do well temp wise. I have a thermometer in my coop and it usually registers over freezing. I have a 100 watt bulb (with a shield) over their water so it won't freeze. (at below 20 it will but they chip the ice away and drink lots)The Austrlorps were touted at McMurray's as laying all winter. One hen gave them 364 eggs one year.
I would like a hen to set and give me more chicks for the fun of it. I'm not sure how I can tell when the weather is condusive when not to take eggs away from the hen, if she wants to hatch them. I just hope I don't get a lot of roosters. Austrlorp roosters are mean and unpredictable!
In the summer they must have vents high up in the coop to release the heat but the vents must be small enough to keep predators out. More vents and small would be the answer.

 

[Kevin565]