HI all. I live in Chapel Hill NC and this is my first winter with chickens. It has been very interesting and informative. I raised these chickens from chicks starting in July so they are still young. Buff Orp, Black Star, NH Red and Americauna.
1. I have an Eglu Cube on wheels attached to a 7' x 7' x 9' foot enclosed Omlet run. I can walk into it. The run is in a 45' x 47' enclosed area with an 8' post and wire fence and is covered by seaman fishing netting with orange strings to alert the hawks. The sides of the outside fence are covered with half inch hard cloth up to 6 ft. The fence and run have 12 inch deep yard staples pounded in every 3 inches covered with 12" x 2' pavers. I also have solar motion lights and solar red blinking predator lights on each side. I have seen coyote and raccoon scat on the outside of the post and wire fence. The run is covered by Eglu coop plastic covers on the top and sides but not the front. I do not cover the coop.
2. I have had no issues with predators yet. Only a feral cat that wanders around outside. The chickens are bigger than the cat is at this point.
3. I use a Grandpa's Feeder and no rodents yet.
4. It has been in the tens and teens this week and we got snow and an ice storm; first time in 5 years. I was really worried about the chickens but they have acted like nothing is happening and I am still getting 3-4 eggs a day. I know that is because they are young but jeez! These girls are very HARDY and are happily wandering around in snow and ice during the day.
5. I use 4-5 inches of contractors sand in the run and flakes in the coop under the roosting bars and in the nesting areas. I scoop the sand every day with a cat litter scoop.
6. Biggest issue for me has been water. I use 4 water bowls. They all freeze within 3-4 hours so I use two at a time and swap them out. I have searched for battery powered heating mats or bowls and everything is electric. My girls are too far away from the house to use electric. Thoughts anyone. Anyone want to invent a battery powered water bowl for those of us in the country? It is ridiculous that these do not seem to exist. Would need such low wattage, like a heating pad. Not a huge lift. I would be glad to help fund such an invention. Kevin Ann NC
1. I have an Eglu Cube on wheels attached to a 7' x 7' x 9' foot enclosed Omlet run. I can walk into it. The run is in a 45' x 47' enclosed area with an 8' post and wire fence and is covered by seaman fishing netting with orange strings to alert the hawks. The sides of the outside fence are covered with half inch hard cloth up to 6 ft. The fence and run have 12 inch deep yard staples pounded in every 3 inches covered with 12" x 2' pavers. I also have solar motion lights and solar red blinking predator lights on each side. I have seen coyote and raccoon scat on the outside of the post and wire fence. The run is covered by Eglu coop plastic covers on the top and sides but not the front. I do not cover the coop.
2. I have had no issues with predators yet. Only a feral cat that wanders around outside. The chickens are bigger than the cat is at this point.
3. I use a Grandpa's Feeder and no rodents yet.
4. It has been in the tens and teens this week and we got snow and an ice storm; first time in 5 years. I was really worried about the chickens but they have acted like nothing is happening and I am still getting 3-4 eggs a day. I know that is because they are young but jeez! These girls are very HARDY and are happily wandering around in snow and ice during the day.
5. I use 4-5 inches of contractors sand in the run and flakes in the coop under the roosting bars and in the nesting areas. I scoop the sand every day with a cat litter scoop.
6. Biggest issue for me has been water. I use 4 water bowls. They all freeze within 3-4 hours so I use two at a time and swap them out. I have searched for battery powered heating mats or bowls and everything is electric. My girls are too far away from the house to use electric. Thoughts anyone. Anyone want to invent a battery powered water bowl for those of us in the country? It is ridiculous that these do not seem to exist. Would need such low wattage, like a heating pad. Not a huge lift. I would be glad to help fund such an invention. Kevin Ann NC
