I've been raising chickens for 30 years.
Never thought I'd see the day when I would hatch out chicks in November in a cold northern climate...but when I got the chance to get some Marans hatching eggs from Bev Davis I couldn't refuse.
So now the reality of raising baby chicks during the dead of winter has got me wondering...what was I thinking?!?
They're already making the laundryroom pretty stinky and will soon outgrow their Rubbermaid tub brooder and need to be moved outside. I have a garden potting shed that I can move them to which I plan to insulate but
will heat lamps provide enough heat when it gets below zero or will I need to use some kind of outdoors space heater?
On sunny days I plan to let them out when they are bigger but what kind of winter temps can they tolerate?
Does anybody know how much heat they will need after they feather out?
Will the lack of sunshine adversely effect their developement?
Any tips or advise appreciated.
Never thought I'd see the day when I would hatch out chicks in November in a cold northern climate...but when I got the chance to get some Marans hatching eggs from Bev Davis I couldn't refuse.
So now the reality of raising baby chicks during the dead of winter has got me wondering...what was I thinking?!?
They're already making the laundryroom pretty stinky and will soon outgrow their Rubbermaid tub brooder and need to be moved outside. I have a garden potting shed that I can move them to which I plan to insulate but
will heat lamps provide enough heat when it gets below zero or will I need to use some kind of outdoors space heater?
On sunny days I plan to let them out when they are bigger but what kind of winter temps can they tolerate?
Does anybody know how much heat they will need after they feather out?
Will the lack of sunshine adversely effect their developement?
Any tips or advise appreciated.