Oregon

[Bernadine503]

That makes me feel better. I'm new to chickens, specifically Silkies, and I was getting worried with the cooler temperatures outside at night. My coop isn't especially safe for a heat lamp.

 

[donrae]

Last year was my first year with silkies and they did fine. I only had two, and they did sleep with the other birds. folks say silkies don't roost, but my coop has shelving running around the interior (former greenhouse) and they'd fly up there and sleep. I think one bird, if it didn't roost, may get too cool. But if you have at least two they'll be fine. I have one brooding right now, she's by herself and doing fine. Hopefully chicks in a week!

 

[Bernadine503]

Here are my Silkie girls. They hatched all 100%....7 eggs!! They seem to be keeping the babies warm so far with all the cold and rain we've been having here in Oregon the last few days!

 

[Chipper Chicken]

Here are my Silkie girls. They hatched all 100%....7 eggs!! They seem to be keeping the babies warm so far with all the cold and rain we've been having here in Oregon the last few days!

Congratulations! e e e

 

[only1bgirl]

Does everybody provide additional heat for your chickens during the winter.  Near the Portland area we do not experience freezing temps too often.  I've read it's best not to provide heat so your chicken acclimate to the weather and to prevent shocking their system.  Any thoughts?

I have pulled my Silkie girls in the house when it was freezing temperature all night long I put them in their dedicated laundry basket in the mud room. I make sure to take them back out early in the morning before they dump out. My three hens I have let brood in the house before and they're trained like the dog. I really hope I can get the three youngsters trained without letting them brood eggs. Never put a heat lamp in your coop, so many cases of fires, property damage and dead birds from them. I do not nescessarily think they need heat here but I don't leave the dog or cat out when it's freezing so I bring the girls in too.

 

[Bernadine503]

I have pulled my Silkie girls in the house when it was freezing temperature all night long I put them in their dedicated laundry basket in the mud room. I make sure to take them back out early in the morning before they dump out. My three hens I have let brood in the house before and they're trained like the dog. I really hope I can get the three youngsters trained without letting them brood eggs. Never put a heat lamp in your coop, so many cases of fires, property damage and dead birds from them. I do not nescessarily think they need heat here but I don't leave the dog or cat out when it's freezing so I bring the girls in too.

I think I will do that, and bring them into our attached garage when it's freezing. I have a large wire dog crate I can use for the few days/nights we reach freezing temps.

How do you train them? That's great!

 

[Heron's Nest Farm]

I have a BBS Orpington Cockerel I need a home for. Anyone interested?

 

[SusanD]

Eugene, Oregon. Wondering if the lean to (the back is covered with tarp now), the side of the house, and underneath their coop will be enough shelter for them this winter, or if we will need to create more dry places? Also, I know we will need to replace the straw eventually, and was wondering what others are using?

Thanks,

Susan

 

[T-traveler]

Susan,
The standard requirements are 4 square feet per bird inside coop space, and 10 square feet per bird for outside run space. As long as the space in the run stays fairly dry during the winter rains, the standard 10 square feet per bird is adequate.

Here's a good thread to read through:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/34001/coop-and-run-sq-feet-per-chicken

 

[Stephanie R]

Eugene, Oregon. Wondering if the lean to (the back is covered with tarp now), the side of the house, and underneath their coop will be enough shelter for them this winter, or if we will need to create more dry places? Also, I know we will need to replace the straw eventually, and was wondering what others are using?

Thanks,

Susan

It's a dilemma in our wet state. I have a large run that is only partially covered. So, under the covered part I use hay. The chickens love it. For the uncovered part, I have spread sand and cover that with leaves. We'll see how it goes. Inside the coop I use pine shavings, which for me have worked extremely well. This is my first year with chickens, so everything's a trial run.