Chickymom1251
In the Brooder
- Jul 29, 2018
- 3
- 16
- 23
Hi all!
My name is Debbie and we have a small flock of hens here in the Cariboo, BC. We are in a Zone 3 environment and have chosen to raise our cold hardy hens as naturally as possible. We do not heat or light the coop during the winters, which can get down to -30. I constructed a well insulated, vented coop and they have a fair sized 4-season, covered outdoor run. During the Winters, we use white corrugated sheets to block the majority of the wind, but let in the light. During Summer, we plant Scarlet Runner beans along the walls to shade from the hot sun but that still let the breeze in. The only electric element is a heated dog dish for water during Winter. We feed them a 3-grain blend with added lentils, black oil sunflower seeds, oyster shells, crushed egg shells, and a dried herb blend. We also feed them raw meat and black fly larvae, aside from kitchen scraps.
I’ve connected here because we are far from skilled chicken keepers and need to ask questions now and then. My biggest fears are sick chickens and need to learn more about how to care for them in their time of need. Beyond that, I love improving on what we have and love seeing what others have done. So, here’s to backyard chicken farming! Bak Bak!
My name is Debbie and we have a small flock of hens here in the Cariboo, BC. We are in a Zone 3 environment and have chosen to raise our cold hardy hens as naturally as possible. We do not heat or light the coop during the winters, which can get down to -30. I constructed a well insulated, vented coop and they have a fair sized 4-season, covered outdoor run. During the Winters, we use white corrugated sheets to block the majority of the wind, but let in the light. During Summer, we plant Scarlet Runner beans along the walls to shade from the hot sun but that still let the breeze in. The only electric element is a heated dog dish for water during Winter. We feed them a 3-grain blend with added lentils, black oil sunflower seeds, oyster shells, crushed egg shells, and a dried herb blend. We also feed them raw meat and black fly larvae, aside from kitchen scraps.
I’ve connected here because we are far from skilled chicken keepers and need to ask questions now and then. My biggest fears are sick chickens and need to learn more about how to care for them in their time of need. Beyond that, I love improving on what we have and love seeing what others have done. So, here’s to backyard chicken farming! Bak Bak!
Welcome to BYC!!! 
Fun times!
You would then want to post in our Emergency section.
