Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[BirdbyGavin1103]

Quote: I've never had electric in any of my coops, thus no heat. I've never last a chick to cold. I lost a couple that fell into water buckets & couldn't get out when I 1st started though.
Mine are already spoiled LOL, they sleep under a blanket on my lap when in the living room. We live right on the edge of a hill and we have a breeze everyday, and strong winds most of the winter, plus It's more for the waterers. I've read a few people use the pond heaters in the large waterers, but I know the heaters I've had were metal on the bottom and we put UP/ACV in their water, so I would worry about corrosion from the acidity. I'm probably overthinking it, but I'd rather err on the side of caution....

 

[Gardeningmama]

Quote: I've never had electric in any of my coops, thus no heat. I've never last a chick to cold. I lost a couple that fell into water buckets & couldn't get out when I 1st started though.
Mine are already spoiled LOL, they sleep under a blanket on my lap when in the living room. We live right on the edge of a hill and we have a breeze everyday, and strong winds most of the winter, plus It's more for the waterers. I've read a few people use the pond heaters in the large waterers, but I know the heaters I've had were metal on the bottom and we put UP/ACV in their water, so I would worry about corrosion from the acidity. I'm probably overthinking it, but I'd rather err on the side of caution....

Really check into the heatlamps before you go that route. There are many bad experiences on here with using them in winter. I had no choice but to use them for my Seramas that can die with the weather we have here without heat. BUT I was a nervous wreck all winter. I constantly ran to the window hoping a bulb hadn't gone out, because if it blows and the birds are accustomed to the heat they can freeze to death quickly. I also worried about the fire hazard a lot. Many peeps have lost their coops and chickens to heatlamps & extension cords. There are other safer methods to heat the coop if you're really worried about them and the waterer. Cookie Tin Warmers(for the birds) and Cinderblock heaters(for the waterer) are cheap safer ways, among many others.

 

[BirdbyGavin1103]

Quote: I've never had electric in any of my coops, thus no heat. I've never last a chick to cold. I lost a couple that fell into water buckets & couldn't get out when I 1st started though.
Mine are already spoiled LOL, they sleep under a blanket on my lap when in the living room. We live right on the edge of a hill and we have a breeze everyday, and strong winds most of the winter, plus It's more for the waterers. I've read a few people use the pond heaters in the large waterers, but I know the heaters I've had were metal on the bottom and we put UP/ACV in their water, so I would worry about corrosion from the acidity. I'm probably overthinking it, but I'd rather err on the side of caution....

Really check into the heatlamps before you go that route. There are many bad experiences on here with using them in winter. I had no choice but to use them for my Seramas that can die with the weather we have here without heat. BUT I was a nervous wreck all winter. I constantly ran to the window hoping a bulb hadn't gone out, because if it blows and the birds are accustomed to the heat they can freeze to death quickly. I also worried about the fire hazard a lot. Many peeps have lost their coops and chickens to heatlamps & extension cords. There are other safer methods to heat the coop if you're really worried about them and the waterer. Cookie Tin Warmers(for the birds) and Cinderblock heaters(for the waterer) are cheap safer ways, among many others.
Thank you for the alternative ideas, I'll have to do some more research. My plan was mounting them to the rafters, with coaxial staples (or something similar) to prevent them from falling. I did forget about the extension cords getting hot. I will need to figure something out for electrical, so the girls have enough light this winter. Hard wiring is not an option unfortunately. Like I said I need to do more research, more than I thought. lol

 

[fisherlady]

PUPPIES! I have news!!! YAY!!!!

Tri Colored English springer spaniels DUE July 1st! (YES I WILL COUNT MY PUPPIES BEFORE THEY HATCH!)
First mating happened! This will be Daisy's first litter!

These are a few pics of Maddy's pups from last year!!! I am so excited!

They are adorable!! Such good dogs, one of Mindy's favorite buddies is the Springer who lives across the road at camp, Jerry frequently comes to our door to see if Mindy can come out to play...

I have a dental appointment this afternoon.....I'd rather clean the stinky duck brooder.

Hope it went well!

See that, there is an advantage to being able to hand the dentist your teeth and say i will be back tomorrow to pick them up...

Congrats! I love raising puppies. Even more than I love chickens!


Speaking of puppies...

Ahem! Fisherlady, where are the pictures???!!!

Pics will be forthcoming soon! Our little fellow is settling in like a champ and already adapting to the new routines. Now he just needs to remember that our cats are not his litter mates, no matter how similar the coloring! LOL... our almost 4 yr old, Mindy, is acting like he's her long lost pup and playing with him constantly. Big plus is that she is keeping him worn out!

You mean there are males that are born not knowing what their "job" is? Sorry I couldn't resist....

Oh, they know their job... it's figuring out how to do it right that may take a while!

Hatching: Orpingtons

Brooding: Orpingtons, BCMarans, BLRW, MF Cochins, oh and more Opringtons.

And, Honest to John, I do NOT know how it happened, but I am once again…a duck owner. This time, it is 2 Pekin Drakes and boy are they pretty!

They snuck in while you weren't looking!!

 

[BirdbyGavin1103]

Quote: No comment except....ROTFLMBO!!

(there is so much more I could say, but I must behave, I must behave...) Crud I woke Gavin laughing....

 

[Reyvaughn]

Sure did!! Good catch on that! Love all 3 actors, but more than that i LOVE Rutger's horse. A Friesian. All-time favorite breed of horse. The bad guy's horse at the end in the cathedral is beautiful too, Spanish barb maybe, not sure. Great movie!!!

That'd be an Andalusian.

Oh, they know their job... it's figuring out how to do it right that may take a while!

Do they ever really learn how to do it right?

 

[SilkieSensation]

Quote: No comment except....ROTFLMBO!!

(there is so much more I could say, but I must behave, I must behave...) Crud I woke Gavin laughing....
Biggest understatement I've heard in YEARS!!!

 

[SilkieSensation]

Quote: Ummmmm, not very many do anyway.

 

[Chick a dee1023]

Ummmmm, not very many do anyway.

You guys are killing me! LOL!

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

Apparently sometimes it happens.

Oh my goodness!!

haha

Our two newest boys are settling nicely

very cute!

I just adore your avy! what is her name now? she is so pretty! I love my springers!

Thank you! We are kickin' around the name "Ginger". If you have ever seen "Chicken-Run" the movie, "Ginger" was the leader of the flock who is always trying to "fly the coop"...yeah,well...this one found out what was on the "other-side" of the brick wall today...and lets just say I did keep my dignity getting her back to the coop...haha

She has a great personality & she is very vocal...purrs alot.. when I come around . I am hoping that means she is Happy..