OMG... it got cold

[Crazy4Chicks]

Ok the wind is blowing like crazy - sun is out but holy crap it is cold !! it is going to get down to freezing tonight, the coop is pretty solid , I have been keeping thier windows closed, I put the food/water inside the coop, I have been giving them a few handfuls of corn along with the reg feed. Most of the chickens have been staying in the coop only coming out once in awhile- how do I know if they are to cold? they are acting like no big deal and the wind does not look like it is bothering them to much - this is my first winter with them and was wondering what to look for if they get to cold.
Also do ducks not realize it is COLD?? they are still splashing around in the kiddie pool like it is the middle of summer - are they nuts LOL.
Do I try to leave the pool out all winter? I plan on getting the ducks and the chickens a heated water bowl as soon as i can-
Is there any else I need to do for them all?

Julie

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I don't know about chickens, but ducks don't really give a darn if their pond is freezing, until of course it freezes solid enough that they can't get in and test the waters.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Sounds like you have the chickens ready. We have had temps below freezing and mine have been fine with their food and water inside the coop. This too is my first winter so I've been watching the threads on this and they say that it is best not to give them heat in the coop unless the weather gets down to the single digits. That way they become stronger (health wise) chickens. I'm looking at mid teens for Friday morning and feel the chickens will be fine.

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

I have read on here somewhere that it is best not to clean the poo out of the coop during winter ( something about it acting like a heater - poo gives off heat who knew LOL ) but I am planning on adding more pine chips this weekend, and I am giving the ducks some chips in thier house which is just a doghouse like building we made for them out of the leftover wood from the coop.
I dont think we will get single temps but with the wind blowing it is down right cold !!
I hold my chickens when they allow me to hold them - and thier feet feel pretty warm so I dont think they are as cold as I thought they would be.
Do chickens still come out of the coop in the snow? what about ducks do they mind the snow? I have not seen snow here yet or rain for that matter, but was just wondering how they like it.

Julie

 

[picklespickles]

clovis is by texas right? does it get super cold there? where i live in the past i've seen the ducks in the pond just slip sliding over the frozen water til they get to the center where it's unfrozen in a public park. they didn't seem upset at all.

i want to get one of those de icing things, too. it's supposed to freeze here tonight, so i guess that's one chore i didn't get done in time. lol. i was also thinking of just a pump as i think if the water was circulating, then it's not going to freeze as much, right? at least that's how it seems to work in the public ponds.

when my other animals go in for warmth, my duck just sits there like HEY where are yall going?

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

I plan on bringing my dogs in tonight to sleep, and of course the chickens have thier coop, the past few nights it has been chilly and the ducks are still out and wondering around like no big deal - must be nice to be a duck and have no worries about any thing LOL
I think once it really starts to freeze I am going to empty thier pool and just give them a large heated bowl so they can and least get thier heads wet, they have a plastic kiddie pool and I dont want it to crack if the water ever freezes soild.
I guess I wil not worry to much about them - just keep an eye on them just in case.

I have lived in clovis for about 4 years and last winter I think was the worst we had alot of freezing rain and it got pretty dang cold, lots of snow. but since this year cold weather is coming later not sure what we will get.

Julie

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

ok just checked the temps we are at 39 degs and it is around 4:54pm so I think we are in for a cold night !
I will be nice and warm with 4 dogs and DH sleeping in the bed tonight- only problem is my male boxer snores LOUD and my female boxer is preg. and is full of gas BAD - so I am either going to be awake all night with the snoring or die from not being able to breath LOL

Julie

 

[Wildsky]

They'll be fine..... I was looking out my window this evening, it was around 27 at that point outside... and there were little birds in the tree's - we have some birds that seem to wait till we're done outside, and then they sleep on the ground (I think!!) cause they're there in the morning.
BUT if those little birds can handle it - I'm 100% sure my chickens will be fine all huddled together on their roost inside the coop!

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

Dont worry! I've seen ducks at -30F yours will be just fine. As long as the water isnt frozen they'll be playing in it. Just make sure your flock can roost somewhere draft free. They all have their own down jackets (unless you have turkens).

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

Well got home from doing the paper- route this morning - duck pool was frozen so Dh stepped on the ice to break it up for the - opened the coop door to let out the chickens and they seem fine - most came out looked around and went back in LOL

Julie