Opinions of cold climate chicken keepers needed

[Cyprus]

I'm noticing that us Wisconsinites are slowly coming out of the woodworks

 

[aart]

?
I'm not a native Wisconsinite

Ice fishing shelters.

 

[Cyprus]

Ice fishing shelters.

Ohhh lol I don't have one

 

[path.otto]

Well, chickens did fine at -28 F last night. Unfortunately, it's 10 a.m. and has only warmed up to -25. Took them some oatmeal this morning - who knew - my chickens hate oatmeal! I tried to tempt them by throwing in some black oil sunflower seeds. They ate the seeds! Oh well, good fat! They're under the roosting board where the litter is nice and deep staying as warm as possible. I go out every hour or so to check on them and for eggs. It's supposed to get down to -30 tonight and then warm up to 41 this weekend and then a gradual decline to more normal lows. Watching the wildlife and not much stirring, a few birds at the feeders, a few deer. They seem to be laying low to conserve energy. Hope everyone is doing ok.

 

[Cyprus]

@aart
Menards, in Wisconsin right now

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Hey all, my cousin just shared a post on my FB page from a chicken group in Wisconsin. Seems there’s been a run on tents at the Walmart’s up there as people are using them to house chickens in the garage. Pop up the tent, fill the bottom with a thick layer of shavings, add some food and water and voila, instant indoor coop!

View attachment 1658087

That's too funny. I bet they sell a lot of them.

i think that's kinda' cool... wonder if it was feeding on something nearby?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

i think that's kinda' cool... wonder if it was feeding on something nearby?

No, not all that cool. He was running past the window about 15 -20 feet from me. He didn't stop to check out my chickens, but I let my neighbor know he was coming from her chicken coop's direction. Then when I finally went outside to do some shoveling, a pair of bald eagles flew over m head. That was cool, however, not used to seeing any major predators in one day. I'm guessing everybody is cold and hungry.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Hey all, my cousin just shared a post on my FB page from a chicken group in Wisconsin. Seems there’s been a run on tents at the Walmart’s up there as people are using them to house chickens in the garage. Pop up the tent, fill the bottom with a thick layer of shavings, add some food and water and voila, instant indoor coop!

View attachment 1658087

Necessity + hengenuity = the mother of henvention

 

[OhZark Biddies]

No, not all that cool. He was running past the window about 15 -20 feet from me. He didn't stop to check out my chickens, but I let my neighbor know he was coming from her chicken coop's direction. Then when I finally went outside to do some shoveling, a pair of bald eagles flew over m head. That was cool, however, not used to seeing any major predators in one day. I'm guessing everybody is cold and hungry.

Fisher cats and eagle are both scavengers as much as predators... makes me think all the more there's a carcass or something nearby...

...and I didn't say it was cool, I said I thought it was cool ... and I still think it's cool to see a Fisher... but I understand why you might not with your chickens so close ... I guess it's all about semantics... and the proximity to said Fisher, and ones own chickens!

In any case hope it stays out of you and your neighbors coops!

 

[Cyprus]

Anybody warming up?
I'm getting a hot cocoa and making brownies. Anyone want some?