NY chicken lover!!!!

[horsekeeper]

Is anyone heating their coop tonight here in NYS? This is my first winter with chickens and I'm so afraid they'll be too cold!!! Water has a glaze of ice inside the coop tonight--I smacked it out and put fresh in.
I have a heat lamp set up, but have been virtually smacked by everyone on here when I think about turning it on!! I don't want to be a big suburban sissy in turning it on (these are the only outdoor animals I've ever owned in 37 years!!).

Supposed to get down to the teens tonight.

Sarah

I have chickens and turkeys in a 10x10 dog kennel with tarps on top and three sides. I felt sorry for them today and managed to put a few sheets of plywood on the front to block some of the wind. The month old muscovy ducks that accidentally hatched were outside all day and did fine. They still have down instead of feathers. If you are draft free, but have some ventilation to prevent moisture buildup you should be fine. If you heat their coop and then there is a power failure they will freeze.

I noticed a little song bird out by the chickens today and just marveled that such a small little thing could keep warm Yes, I worry, too! Having a nice warm coop is more about our own comfort than the animals. Last year when it was sub zero the flock was out there on the ice and then would go back inside to warm up, even the silkies and bantams who are supposed to be more sensitive to cold. It helps to observe them to see if they are huddling up and looking cold. If they are out of the wind you will be surprised how well they do in the cold. Extreme heat is much more of a threat. Even in the open kennel coop it was warm enough from their body heat to keep the water from freezing.

 

[sarahandbray]

I think I'm not going to heat it--seems like 90% of online articles say not to.

Our chicken house is a 10'X10' old pony shed--not insulated but relatively draft-free. Two windows, shut right now, but plenty of ventilation, I think.
Chickens are acting fine, so I'm guessing they're ok. I have a grand total of 36 chickens right now--6 big Golden Comet hens in their own smaller coop and 30 in the big coop with three 10' roosts at 3 levels.

I'm sure they're ok--but I'm worried b/c the water was slightly frozen in both coops. Should I be giving them cracked corn at night? I throw a big cup of Scratch out in the morning, but I've never done cracked corn before.

 

[horsekeeper]

I think I'm not going to heat it--seems like 90% of online articles say not to.

Our chicken house is a 10'X10' old pony shed--not insulated but relatively draft-free. Two windows, shut right now, but plenty of ventilation, I think.
Chickens are acting fine, so I'm guessing they're ok. I have a grand total of 36 chickens right now--6 big Golden Comet hens in their own smaller coop and 30 in the big coop with three 10' roosts at 3 levels.

I'm sure they're ok--but I'm worried b/c the water was slightly frozen in both coops. Should I be giving them cracked corn at night? I throw a big cup of Scratch out in the morning, but I've never done cracked corn before.

From what I read, I'm doing everything wrong.

I give the flock (dhickens, ducks, turkeys, geese) whole corn and scratch in the morning all year round. When it gets cold they get another corn/scratch treat in late afternoon to help them stay warm overnight. They have 24/7 access to layer crumbles and game bird maintenance pellets (22% protein). They also free range every day all year long. The entire flock is healthy and vigorous and lays and breeds well. I haven't counted lately, but I have well over 100 birds. You need to experiment a bit to see what works best for you and your flock. As you research and read through the posts you will find that there are many ways to do things and still get a good outcome. When you have time, watch your flock to observe behavior and pick up individuals at random to check weight and feather quality. Check poop and eggshell quality, too. If you are satisfied with what you find, you're doing it right.

 

[Sally8]

(Chuckle, chuckle). The first few years that I had chicken I had a lamp in there to keep them warm but have learned that it was for my benefit, not theirs. They keep toasty warm. It sounds like you have enough chickens in there to keep each other warm. That being said, I always used to put sweaters on my children when I was cold. They will be fine but you have to do what you feel is best. It has been so very cold and windy. Right now it's 13 degrees here (just outside of Corning, NY)
My thoughts are with Armorfirelady as it showed she is really getting the snow. I'm always curious how her hoop coop stands up to the snow. All you getting the snow, take care, be safe and keep warm.

Regardless of the temps, I always give my chickens fresh water. It's not always fun. I bought 2 heated bowls last year but forgot that the outlets run off the switch so when I shut off the light after gathering eggs, the water froze. Duh!!!

 

[Lapeerian]

Anyone here have experience with sunflower meal? A fellow farmer has BOSS $24 for 50lb. But offered that I could try sunflower meal after he presses a batch for oil. Was thinking BOSS to mix with scratch for winter treat, but now thinking the meal as a feed additive for extra protein?

 

[Gramma Chick]

Anyone here have experience with sunflower meal? A fellow farmer has BOSS $24 for 50lb. But offered that I could try sunflower meal after he presses a batch for oil. Was thinking BOSS to mix with scratch for winter treat, but now thinking the meal as a feed additive for extra protein?

Sounds good ...how does he extract it ? Sunflower seed is 16 % protein
Here is some info ..

http://www.feedipedia.org/node/732

 

[Gramma Chick]

well i had a big post set to post but then desided to take saras advise ..very good advise sara thank you ..just glad i seen it before hitting the send button..not to sure i'd be very welcome around here if i had ..

At least the typing it helped get your frustration out ...I have done that ...then decided its better not to post .
I was never a gun toter before chickens ...never had one in the house & never wanted one ..here
Then when Foxes came in our yard in the day to kill our chickens ...even one time when I was out side with them ...I changed my mind about having a gun here .

Well, water was frozen this morning,

So I finally got around to setting up the heated waterer. If it works well the chickens & me will be delighted....it must hold about 2 gallons. The wind chill is 17F right now and going down. Winter is almost here!

Why are you happy ?

Mine was froze too this morning in my heated dog dish...not sure if it broke over the summer or if I overfilled it ..or ?
May have to go to Wally world or farm & tractor tomorrow ..that is something I feel is a must for chickens in the winter . I figure if they cant have heat they can at least have warm water
Quote: People are on this tread are considerate of others feelings...It may help that most of us have met each other personally .
I havent seen any trolls ..here ...people do do that on some forums though

 

[Gramma Chick]

well I just love this phone Galaxy S4..


It took a swim in the cold water of the duck pool when I was getting the ice off .
I put my hand in to get it with my glove still on ...
Brought it inside right away ...popped off the back ...No Water inside ! Whew !

 

[Glasshen]

Yesterday I finally set up the heated water dish, stretching out the extension cord, but later in the day there was a little ice on top. Will see this morning very soon! May try it on the cement blocks like it was last year, but maybe they have a life that is short. Mine is the blue one with the cord protected by wire...Is that what you have, Gramma?

Maybe some leftover oatmeal for the feathered ones...too bad they don't drink coffee, that always helps me.

 

[wny egger]

At least the typing it helped get your frustration out ...I have done that ...then decided its better not to post .
I was never a gun toter before chickens ...never had one in the house & never wanted one ..here
Then when Foxes came in our yard in the day to kill our chickens ...even one time when I was out side with them ...I changed my mind about having a gun here .

Mine was froze too this morning in my heated dog dish...not sure if it broke over the summer or if I overfilled it ..or ?
May have to go to Wally world or farm & tractor tomorrow ..that is something I feel is a must for chickens in the winter . I figure if they cant have heat they can at least have warm water
People are on this tread are considerate of others feelings...It may help that most of us have met each other personally .
I havent seen any trolls ..here ...people do do that on some forums though

ithanks ..i have no trouble with guns ..i own guns..i just get tired of polictics playing a roll in every thing anymore ..some may say it wasnt political ,but it was ..