OHio ~ Come on Buckeyes, let me know your out there!

[blessedchick]

Ohio folks! It's time to gear up for the last show of our Spring Season ~ The Buckeye Fancy Feather Club show in Canfield, Ohio! It is being held on Saturday, June 13th with entries closing on June 6th. Please contact Rhonda Simmons ([email protected]) for a show catalog or PM me with any questions. I hope to see you there!

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I'm in Chardon in Geauga County. Living in the "snow belt" I'm a little worried about my first winter. Does anyone in my area have tips and tricks?

 

[ToniTalley]

Be prepared to shovel! Chickens don't really like to get out in the snow if it's too deep, so I shovel a bit around the coop, just to let them get some exercise and scratching done. We made the coop big enough so they won't be too crowded if the worst weather where they don't go outside at all, and we have heated water and a heat lamp in there. I try to get out every day to check the water and food, and bring them goodies to keep them occupied, like birdseed that I toss into the coop floor covering and maybe some cut up apple or cheerios for them to mess with. We put the lamp on when it's below 20 F. and also keep the coop door closed if it's going to be below 10F at night.

 

[Sunshine0235]

My chickens absolutely hated the snow. I had one bantam hen that would fly across the run (12+ feet), land on the feeder, eat, and then fly back to the ramp, even if it just a dusting. We tried to cover up some of the run with tarp afterwards, you just have to make sure to get the water out and dont let the snow pile up. It broke one of my pens the day before I was going out to get the water out. Luckily though my broody silkie hadn't hatched her eggs yet and was safe and dry in her tub, had to have her in the garage after that until we fixed it.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I have a rather large open window in the top gable of the coop. When winter comes should I cover it? I don't want to block all ventilation but snow coming in wouldn't be good.

 

[Rowsdower]

I have a rather large open window in the top gable of the coop. When winter comes should I cover it? I don't want to block all ventilation but snow coming in wouldn't be good.

I have found that window screen is pretty effective at keeping out snow while still allowing for ventilation.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

That makes sence. Sounds like a good excuse to get some new screen for a few house windows. LOL

 

[Sunshine0235]

I have 2 sultan chicks for sale. Hatched them myself, they are about 4 weeks old, im selling them due to them having improper leg color, sultans should have pink legs, and these 2 have slate legs. They are 10 each. Straight run, no idea on gender.

 

[big medicine]

I have found that window screen is pretty effective at keeping out snow while still allowing for ventilation.

I would suggest maybe backing it with some welded wire. Many a chicken raiser has been astonished at where a coon can reach when it really wants to.

 

[chicknmania]

Just read in the news today that Ohio is still on high alert re the AI. It said in the article that in Darke County especially they are nervous. They are randomly testing backyard flocks, the article said. So be aware.