Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Get this, it's worth every penny: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/farm-innovators-round-heated-pet-bowl-6-qt
This heats more efficiently than the metal pans with light bulbs under them (direct heat to the water, less wattage and better heating). It is also much safer in wet areas (water and electricity don't mix well).

TSC has 10% off coupons sometimes and even a 15% off "friends and family" coupon a few times a year. Or you can get the same thing for about the same price from Amazon, eBay or Jeffers.

Get this, it's worth every penny: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/farm-innovators-round-heated-pet-bowl-6-qt
This heats more efficiently than the metal pans with light bulbs under them (direct heat to the water, less wattage and better heating). It is also much safer in wet areas (water and electricity don't mix well).

TSC has 10% off coupons sometimes and even a 15% off "friends and family" coupon a few times a year. Or you can get the same thing for about the same price from Amazon, eBay or Jeffers.

Thanks for the link DH. How many days of frozen water do we usually get around our corner of PA?

The coop is fully painted. I love the way it turned out! I will work on the rest of the run tomorrow. It's nap time!

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It is absolutely wonderful! Very handsome.

Thank you!

It was actually from a Black sex link! Found her on the nest while her sister was singing the egg song.

It looks exactly like the eggs I get from my two Pennsylvania blacks that I got from Dennis.
They are loyal layers, although they aren't cuddly like my orpingtons!

Good to know! Yes, mine are very skiddish for me too, but they also seem very smart, which is wonderful!

As far as the water issue goes, I agree with Dennis. The self regulating heated water bowls are the best. Just make sure they are plugged in and have water in them and you are good to go. When it is 10* outside and you don't want to leave the house, you will be thanking the company that makes them! It is our responsibility to make sure our animals have clean water available at all times, as well as food and shelter.

 

[dheltzel]

Thanks for the link DH. How many days of frozen water do we usually get around our corner of PA?

Far too many!! (spoken by someone who lived in GA for 2 years - they know how to have winters down there)
When I was a kid we didn't have heated waterers and I only gave the birds liquid water once a day. I don't remember losing chickens with that schedule, but I lost a lot of Coturnix quail every winter. I assumed they were not cold hardy, now I believe they just need more water availability.

The ability to keep liquid water in front of the birds all day has made my life much easier now. I sometimes have to water after dark and without heated water bowls, that would be pointless and many of my birds would suffer, or even die as a result. That's why I'm such a huge proponent of the heated dog water bowls. They are, IMO, the best invention for chicken keeping in the last 20 years (maybe longer). I have seen scorched wood from a heat lamp and now any "point source" of heat, like an incandescent bulb, worries me. I do use them for chick brooding, but would never have one in my coop if I could help it, and I can, the heated bowls supply heat directly and more efficiently than the inverted pan over a light bulb deal.

I'm not judging any one's attempt to save a little money with a different heating system, I just consider those heated waterers the best investment I can make for winter time, and I can't recommend anything else to people starting into their first winter with chickens.

 

[stake]

Hi @stake,

Do you mean where Paoli Pike splits off into Devon Rd.? No we don't live there, that's a different local chicken enthusiast . We live further West by the Malvern school.

We have friends visiting from the UK this weekend so are having a full Christmas Day with turkey and presents on the 12th. Thank you very much for the offer to see the candling. When is the next candling? We're trying our hand at incubating too, As beginners, I'm sure we'll have a lot less success than you will.

Kie4:

Once I check the viability around day 7 (12/12), they can be viewed any time.....just give a shout....

 

[stake]

On Sunday we decided to clip the chickens wings. They were flying out of the run and when it was time to go into the coop they would try to get back in, but couldn't find a way. It was heck chasing them everywhere. We got 26 of the 28 clipped. One was smarter than the rest and didn't fall for the trick of going into the coop to be clipped. The other is a Light Braham rooster which weighs to much to be able to fly. So far so good until this morning. I heard a commotion and I turned to see the only pullet not clipped flying out of the run. At first I thought it was a different bird because it flew quite far. She is also one that has never gotten out before. First for everything I guess. Honestly, I'd love to let them just roam around the yard, but neighbors behind us have sons that visit with very large dogs that aren't to friendly and I'd be afraid they would attack the chickens.

Hippie:

My understanding of clipping is to take about 4" off of one wing on a bird.....that does not make the bird unable to fly, just unbalanced so they won't do it unless extreme circumstances....did it once to my original girls...haven't since....if you run is uncovered...you may find determined birds getting out....would suggest bringing you neighbor's kids and their dogs for a meet and greet...you should be able to gauge the dog's responses and impress on the neighbor's kids to keep the pooches at a safe distance..(perhaps the pooches will be totally uninterested in the chooks)....you never know...,my two cents...(sorry if I sound preachy)......

 

[swallace]

Hello PA chicken enthusiasts!

I have not been on it quite a while.

Is there anyone close to Harrisburg with fertile eggs for sale?

My daughter teaches and is looking for eggs to incubate.

Thanks!
Shannon

 

[TillyPeeps]

Far too many!! (spoken by someone who lived in GA for 2 years - they know how to have winters down there)
When I was a kid we didn't have heated waterers and I only gave the birds liquid water once a day. I don't remember losing chickens with that schedule, but I lost a lot of Coturnix quail every winter. I assumed they were not cold hardy, now I believe they just need more water availability.

The ability to keep liquid water in front of the birds all day has made my life much easier now. I sometimes have to water after dark and without heated water bowls, that would be pointless and many of my birds would suffer, or even die as a result. That's why I'm such a huge proponent of the heated dog water bowls. They are, IMO, the best invention for chicken keeping in the last 20 years (maybe longer). I have seen scorched wood from a heat lamp and now any "point source" of heat, like an incandescent bulb, worries me. I do use them for chick brooding, but would never have one in my coop if I could help it, and I can, the heated bowls supply heat directly and more efficiently than the inverted pan over a light bulb deal.

I'm not judging any one's attempt to save a little money with a different heating system, I just consider those heated waterers the best investment I can make for winter time, and I can't recommend anything else to people starting into their first winter with chickens.

I have a question about the heated water bowl: what happens when it dry out? For example, birds kicked it so it flip over? Will it burn? Or it's still ok staying dry for hours?

 

[TillyPeeps]

Good to know! Yes, mine are very skiddish for me too, but they also seem very smart, which is wonderful!

My Brownie wasn't skittish. She was the bravest baby, and loved my attention as a baby. However, she doesn't show too much interests to me or hubby after she grew up, but she was in love with my son. Those two were best buddies!

She also likes other little kids. She was definitely the smartest one in the group. And the best layer.

 

[fisherlady]

I have a question about the heated water bowl: what happens when it dry out? For example, birds kicked it so it flip over? Will it burn? Or it's still ok staying dry for hours? 

We have never ran into trouble with ours, and typically they are very stable, they have a pretty wide base and are heavier than what an average dog water dish is, so flipping is rarely a problem. If you are worried about that just build a 2x4 frame (with the boards on their edge so they are taller) and set it over the bowl so it creats a 'nest' for the dish.
If you will have chicks in the pen you will want the make a wire mesh insert for the bowl. We us 1" hardware cloth. Make the frame so it sits about half depth, so chicks can get out if they fall in.

 

[dheltzel]

I have a question about the heated water bowl: what happens when it dry out? For example, birds kicked it so it flip over? Will it burn? Or it's still ok staying dry for hours?

It has a thermostatic control, so it shuts off at some reasonable temp (maybe 40F ?) whether wet or dry. You can hardly tell if it is plugged in unless the temps drop low enough to freeze the water in other places.

 

[dheltzel]

Hello PA chicken enthusiasts!

I have not been on it quite a while.

Is there anyone close to Harrisburg with fertile eggs for sale?

My daughter teaches and is looking for eggs to incubate.

Thanks!
Shannon

I"m not getting many eggs now, but if she needs fertile eggs I can almost always find some. I have a niece that lives in Mt Joy who could possibly transport them that far.
PM me when she needs some and we'll try to work something out.