New to Chickens!

[NCquackshack]

Loving my pet chickens and fresh eggs. Living in Western NC and this is first winter. It remains mild here but does freeze, it is actually tropical to me because I moved from Minnesota! Wondering about how to be sure the chickens are warm enough. They have a great coop, but they currently huddle in their nesting boxes which I put straw in. They are thriving and laying eggs like crazy. Thanks for sharing info with me.

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

We're excited for you to be here!

 

[PioneerChicks]

Welcome to "The Flock"!

 

[NCquackshack]

Thank you, I could use some ideas on perches for chickens ?

 

[BullChick]

Don’t allow them to sleep in their boxes. Block the boxes overnight if you need to. Having a 2x4 laying 4” wide is recommended for a perch. Have it higher than the nests.
Chickens are perfectly fine down to zero degrees.

 

[NCquackshack]

Thank you

 

[cluckcluckhens]

For starters you could use old wood that you may have around the house for perches, another suggestion is a tree branch that came off from a tree as a perch. Just depends what you want.

We went with two 2x4's for their perches last year and now we have just one plus, we made a high perch. We have chicks this year so Mr Cockerel is in between all the girls except two. Hens, are on the high perch.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Hi!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC.

Here are some links to useful resources:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-chicken-keeping

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-coop-temperatures

Topic of the week - Winter chicken keeping

• List of guides on how to use the site - “How to...” guides
• Great go-to resource - Learning Centre
• Good starting point for browsing the site - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• Excellent sources of local information - U.S. States thread list

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[ValerieJ]

View attachment 1952761
Don’t allow them to sleep in their boxes. Block the boxes overnight if you need to. Having a 2x4 laying 4” wide is recommended for a perch. Have it higher than the nests.
Chickens are perfectly fine down to zero degrees.

X2

And welcome to BYC!