- Jul 30, 2009
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I thought it would be a good idea to share a few things we have figured out, with regards to keeping chickens in Alaska.
Our chicken coop is insulated, and the roosts are 2x6s, allowing the chickens to cover their feet fully at night.
We have only 5 nest boxes, even though we have 35 layers. This prevents eggs from freezing on days that we are gone, and not able to gather them periodically.
The eggs are being sat on all day using this method.
On top of the nest boxes, sits a small ceramic space heater.
When the tempatures dip below zero, we turn it on low. When the temps are more then minus 10, the heater is on high.
This does not truly heat the coop, but it brings the tempature up enough, to prevent the chickens from getting frostbite, or, even from freezing to death.
In addition to the barley and fishmeal mix that we feed them, we suppliment them to make up for the lack of extra protein and greens that summer free ranging normally provides.
They are given 2-3 cups of sunflower seeds in the shell, 3 cups of soaked alfalfa pellets, a few tbls of crushed egg shells, and all the kitchen scraps.
They also receive about 1 cup of grit mixed into their food, and a couple of quarts of plain old dirt.
The coop is also lit by two 65 watt bulbs from 6 am, until 10 pm.
We have seen a dramatic increase in egg production, ever since we implemented the above.
2 weeks ago, only 5 eggs were laid throughout the day.
It was at that point that we added in most of the things mentioned above.
Today, I gathered 19 eggs!
Thats pretty good, for wintertime, and having 34 chickens.
I also intend to grow a tray of wheat grass as a special treat for them, just so they can have some fresh greens to gulp down once in a while.
All of this seems like a lot of work, but truth be told, it only takes a few minutes per day.
And we are very thankful for the rise in production, as the added expense of the alfalfa and sunflower seeds, meant we were no longer getting enough through egg sales to pay for all the food.
Our chicken coop is insulated, and the roosts are 2x6s, allowing the chickens to cover their feet fully at night.
We have only 5 nest boxes, even though we have 35 layers. This prevents eggs from freezing on days that we are gone, and not able to gather them periodically.
The eggs are being sat on all day using this method.
On top of the nest boxes, sits a small ceramic space heater.
When the tempatures dip below zero, we turn it on low. When the temps are more then minus 10, the heater is on high.
This does not truly heat the coop, but it brings the tempature up enough, to prevent the chickens from getting frostbite, or, even from freezing to death.
In addition to the barley and fishmeal mix that we feed them, we suppliment them to make up for the lack of extra protein and greens that summer free ranging normally provides.
They are given 2-3 cups of sunflower seeds in the shell, 3 cups of soaked alfalfa pellets, a few tbls of crushed egg shells, and all the kitchen scraps.
They also receive about 1 cup of grit mixed into their food, and a couple of quarts of plain old dirt.
The coop is also lit by two 65 watt bulbs from 6 am, until 10 pm.
We have seen a dramatic increase in egg production, ever since we implemented the above.
2 weeks ago, only 5 eggs were laid throughout the day.
It was at that point that we added in most of the things mentioned above.
Today, I gathered 19 eggs!
Thats pretty good, for wintertime, and having 34 chickens.
I also intend to grow a tray of wheat grass as a special treat for them, just so they can have some fresh greens to gulp down once in a while.
All of this seems like a lot of work, but truth be told, it only takes a few minutes per day.
And we are very thankful for the rise in production, as the added expense of the alfalfa and sunflower seeds, meant we were no longer getting enough through egg sales to pay for all the food.
