question

[ewaugaman]

Hi everyone, well I just wanted to tell you all that has helped me in the past THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I am getting 6 eggs a day, I am so excited. I have a question I have 4 nesting beds for them, they all seem to use only one box, can you tell me why?

Also, how can I get my coop ready for winter, what do I need to do. it is a big open coop, it use to be a big dog kennel at one time, but it is real nice for the chickens. But I don't know what to do when colder days get her. Before I would get tarps and cover all the sides. the roof is all covered already of course. what do you think? Is that going to be enough. I live in Washington, we hardly get any real cold weather or snow, but it gets pretty chilly in the evenings. Gets down to about 41-38. I want to keep them cozy and comfy. Any advice out there?

Thank you EWAugaman

 

[Abriana]

Chickens often have a favorite nesting box. I have heard a story of someone's flock that the hens would actually line up to use one. It's like they have to have THAT NESTING BOX or they're going to die. I'm not actually sure why though. I guess it's just a chicken thing.
To keep them warm in the wintertime, use a heat lamp or two in the coop. I suggest Prima heat lamps. They have a plastic covering over the bulb and greatly reduce fire risks. I use Prima heat lamps and am very pleased with them. www.premier1supplies.com/Equipment/Heat_Lamps‎ I use two in my coop. But you may not need any. Chickens can deal with the cold, they really start to suffer at twenty degrees. If you decide to use the heat lamps, you may need four or five, or just place one or two right where the chickens sleep. Good luck!

 

[Zoomie]

It's true, chickens like to all lay in the same nest. I think it's an instinct that they have... that way if one goes broody, all the eggs are in one basket, so to speak, and more chicks are liable to hatch.

On the cold: I live way up on the Rocky Mountains and it's seriously cold here in the winter. Yet, I never ever need heaters. My "secret"? Solid sides on the coop provide a good wind break. (That's hardly a "secret", LOL.) If you can keep the wind from blowing on your chickens and they have a roof to keep dry, they will be fine at those temps. Another thing that I was told, although of course there are people who will disagree: use a perch that is very wide, so that the bird's feet are real spread out. That way, they can get their feathers over their toes to keep them from the cold. When your perches are narrow, the toes grip the perch underneath the bird, and they can't get their feathers over their toes. In that scenario I have seen chickens with frost-bitten toes. I learned that years ago from an old guy we called "Bird Man". He was a smart old guy... I have always followed his advice and have not once had a problem with frost bite on my chickens.

 

[aart]

Using one nest is instinct....maybe for brooding,
or maybe because if an egg is already there it must be a 'safe place' to lay.
I put fake eggs/gold balls in all the nests, helps 'spread the love'.

As to winter, agrees that heat lamps are rarely a necessity, can be serious fire hazards, and are best avoided for that and other reasons. Adding your location to your profile will helps us know your climate, posting pics of your coop will also help us help you figure out what you might need to do to prepare for winter.

I use Prima heat lamps and am very pleased with them. www.premier1supplies.com/Equipment/Heat_Lamps‎ I use two in my coop. But you may not need any. Chickens can deal with the cold, they really start to suffer at twenty degrees.

20F? Maybe minus 20F. Putting your location in your profile would really help Link didn't work, cute and funny error message tho, but Premiere does make some much safer heat lamps.

 

[azygous]

Yes, they all like to use one nest, and often they try to do it at the same time. It's chicken logic : that nest is a favorite by the hens in the "know" so it must be special. Sound familiar?

When I have a bottle neck at laying time, I will select a lower rank layer and carry her to a vacant nest. If she's feeling an urgent need to lay, she'll stay. I have five nests for around fifteen layers. They mostly use three of them.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Also, how can I get my coop ready for winter, what do I need to do. it is a big open coop, it use to be a big dog kennel at one time, but it is real nice for the chickens. But I don't know what to do when colder days get her. Before I would get tarps and cover all the sides. the roof is all covered already of course. what do you think? Is that going to be enough. I live in Washington, we hardly get any real cold weather or snow, but it gets pretty chilly in the evenings. Gets down to about 41-38. I want to keep them cozy and comfy. Any advice out there?

I'm in WA, my coop is open air on 3 sides. My winter prep is to put up plastic panels on about 50% of the open areas, mostly around the roost area. Even with the several days of snow last year my chickens did fine last winter, no frostbite. Moisture buildup is a bigger issue than just being cold, so I try to keep as much ventilation going through the winter.

 

[Abriana]

I'm in WA, my coop is open air on 3 sides. My winter prep is to put up plastic panels on about 50% of the open areas, mostly around the roost area. Even with the several days of snow last year my chickens did fine last winter, no frostbite. Moisture buildup is a bigger issue than just being cold, so I try to keep as much ventilation going through the winter.

To help with the moisture, put vaseline on their combs. It isn't a proven method, and it doesn't always work, but it does help most of the time.