Raising Chickens in New England in Winter

[3rocksandme]

It was almost creepy how much my rooster was enjoying the wattle massage by the end of it all. He was making these little noises...

laughing, what I have to say is inappropriate.....lucky rooster you have there.

We compost as well but I think finding another more direct use for the wood ash is wonderful.​

 

[toto65]

I have seen wood ashes mentioned several times to help control mites. Will wood PELLET ashes work the same way? The pellets I use are a mixture of hard and soft wood but the ash is fine like talcum powder. Has anyone tried them?

 

[6chix]

I have had chickens for 4 winters now. These are all great suggestions one way I get my girls into the run when its snowy is to put down straw. Seems if they dont see the snow they will just walk out the coop into the pen. The water is the biggest pain even with heated waterers I get freeze over on the coldest nights. I will bring there water inside at night and then put it back in the coop early in the morning.

 

[LeezyBeezy]

Speaking of frostbite- one of my gals still has nickle-sized bare spots on top of her wings and broken feathers back by her tail, from the rooster. I'm thinking at this point, she's not going to molt, so I'm worried about her skin. Any thoughts?

We are lucky to have a large barn, so the gals will be able to wander around inside and scratch to their little hearts content! I will need to work on a water system, I think. Taking warm water out is fine, but we have no ell, and it's sometimes ZERO out in the morning. Our coop has great ventilation, but I think the barn itself is drafty, so we have some work to do!

 

[ekar]

I have seen wood ashes mentioned several times to help control mites. Will wood PELLET ashes work the same way? The pellets I use are a mixture of hard and soft wood but the ash is fine like talcum powder. Has anyone tried them?

 

[ekar]

I'm intrested in this question as well, it's an old post but if anyone has the answer let me know