North to Alaska!

[cabbit]

Hello fellow Alaskans, cabbit here in Anchorage with my small little six bird flock. They're all nine weeks old besides the buff orpington which we think is only 8 weeks old. Here they are in their run.

 

[Alaskan]

They look great!

I see you have some grass in that run.... ...... if you toss a wire frame over a part of it, it can continue to grow and the chickens will continue to have grass to eat...let me find a photo for you....

 

[Alaskan]

Try this link:

https://chick-a-doodles.blogspot.com/p/grazing-frames.html

"Grazing frames" are the key words

 

[cabbit]

Try this link:

https://chick-a-doodles.blogspot.com/p/grazing-frames.html

"Grazing frames" are the key words

Thanks will have to see if we can see if we can fit them in, very cool idea!

 

[Alaskan]

You are very welcome.

You can make them out of any scrap, and almost any size.

 

[AlaskaEE]

Hi! I'm in Anchorage and became a first-time chicken keeper early March. I have a backyard flock of 6 girls: Four 14 week old Marans/EE mixes and Two 3-4 month old Red Sexlinks. All of them are turing bright red around the combs and wattles, so I'm hoping for eggs in the next month or so.

I'm looking forward to "meeting" some of you here on BYC. I don't know anyone else in person who has chickens, so I'd love some like-minded buddies here!

The question I've been mulling is how to prep my coop for winter. It's sturdy, off the ground by 2 feet, South facing with the house sharing the North wall, good ventilation - but no insulation. Should I be thinking about insulating it, getting a heat lamp or two, leaving it be? All my girls were bred up here for cold hardiness, but I also want them to not be in survival mode all winter.

Thanks, everyone!

 

[Alaskan]

In Anchorage insulation isn't that important...and might just end up being a rodent hotel.

Heat lamps OFTEN result in fire. ....so no.

If you want heat, there are flat panel infrared heaters that can be used much more safely.

However, Anchorage doesn't need heat either.

You DO need wide perches so that their feet can be flat. So about 3.5 inches. (Wide side of a 2x4)

Some way to keep their water thawed is great, everyone has their favorite method...lots of choices....or you can just bring out water twice a day.

The biggest thing is to make sure that there is enough venting. Especially with a small coop, all of the chicken breathing and pooping will cause the humidity to skyrocket.

High humidity causes frostbite as well as respiratory illness.

 

[AlaskaEE]

In Anchorage insulation isn't that important...and might just end up being a rodent hotel.

Heat lamps OFTEN result in fire. ....so no.

If you want heat, there are flat panel infrared heaters that can be used much more safely.

However, Anchorage doesn't need heat either.

You DO need wide perches so that their feet can be flat. So about 3.5 inches. (Wide side of a 2x4)

Some way to keep their water thawed is great, everyone has their favorite method...lots of choices....or you can just bring out water twice a day.

The biggest thing is to make sure that there is enough venting. Especially with a small coop, all of the chicken breathing and pooping will cause the humidity to skyrocket.

High humidity causes frostbite as well as respiratory illness.

Thank you very much for such a thorough response. I will get some wide perches before Fall and be sure the ventilation is adequate. I really appreciate your help; I don't want to lose any of my girls this Winter!

 

[Alaskan]

No problem, glad to help!

 

[chickenonice]

Well, if we were ALLOWED to raise moose....