Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[smkchick]

Bobby and I went out to dinner and discussed heating methods for the coop for the babies for the next two weeks. We talked about fire safety, low heat, low light, etc. We liked the cinderblock method because it's fire retardant. But it's big! So we're going to experiment with a terracotta flowerpot glued upside down to it's saucer with a lightbulb suspended through the hole. Maybe some holes drilled in the side to allow heat to escape. We liked the terracotta for retaining heat without being big and bulky. With a low wattage bulb, it won't get overly hot. Any thoughts? I thought you all might think of something we missed. (We went out to celebrate my going back to work. It was so romantic discussing henhouse heating.)

When we got home I went to check the chickies (of course). I had left the red bulb on to warm things up for my waterlogged darlings. I peeked in the window and saw Gladys and Aggie snuggled together on the top roost and the three "chickitas" all snuggled together on the bottom roost. All sound asleep with their heads tucked under their wings. Just like five little feathered meatloaves. No one huddling under the light, so I guess that's a good sign.

Here's the question du jour: Why do you suppose the chicks will not use the ladder up to the coop? I can think of three things: 1) it's too steep, 2) they need more traction or 3) the steps are too far apart for their little legs. I'm going to put shingle pieces between the steps to give them better traction and see if that helps. If not, I'm going to have to make a longer ramp that's not so steep.

Oh yeah, and then figure out how to cure the flooding problem. Thank God I have to be at work from 10:30 to 2:30!

Al, stay out of that snow!!! Everyone else, stay warm and dry!

 

[smkchick]

I think all the snow comes from the melting polar ice adding more moisture to the air. Cheer up. The snowblower came so that should be the last of it for this year.

Trick or Treat!!

 

[ChickenAl]

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I like the terra cotta idea. Probably the heat dispersion will be even better than the cinder block. It might add some heat to the coop. I am leaning more toward insulating the coop for reasons of not having to heat the coop itself. Body heat from the chickens should keep them warm enough to ward off frostbite. Today, they stayed in the run, snow and all blowing around them. So I guess they don't dislike the inclement weather.

They like the steps and if they are not spaced closely enough they will not use it. The shingles may help. Ours did not like it too much when they were 7 weeks old, but now there is no problem. If they slip they will not like it. Also, our angle is not that severe.

For the flooding, I would use coarse sand, and lots of it. I put the sand in when the run became a mud pit and it helped tremendously. Some of it has gotten kicked out and I need to put another couple hundred pounds in there. Home Depot sells it in 60lb bags and it is cheap enough to pile it on. Also. You have to get it higher that the surrounding soil to be effective. Our run is on a slight slope and some of the sand washes away and needs to be replaced. The run is covered, and we redirected the water that runs off the driveway straight toward the run. We put a wall on that end of the run too. I add pine shaving to the sand to give them a soft surface and to absorb any water that does stay in there.

 

[ChickenAl]

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I'm not gonna touch that issue with a ten foot pole. Even though I believe you are right! GW has started plenty of arguments, especially etween two people on opposite ends of the political spectrum.

 

[ChickenAl]

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Suzanne, I've got one question. Did Bobby think henhouse heating was romantic?

 

[Chickety Charcoal]

Hi All,

I live in Lower Westchester County and I just started raising chickens this June. I have 4 hens (welsummer, BO, and 2 olive-eggers), and built our own coop/run. They are in their molt right now and it's been a month since I've had any eggs from them. The OE's were hatched in March so I wasn't expecting them to molt but the other 2 were hatched in the Spring of 2010.

How 'bout this weather? I let the birds out free range this morning but as soon as the winds and flurries picked up they went right back in the coop themselves. Nothing, not even hawks, get them back in the coop before dusk, so that's saying something. I didn't put insulation into the coop and have no bulb in there for heat. Do you think I should put some light/heat in there this winter?

-Joe

 

[itsy]

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The pain may be lessening. The snow has slowed down. I am hoping this is the end of it. Is m worried about the winds if they come in behind the storm and knock down more trees. We have about 14 inches now as I look on the deck. Nasty, heavy, white garbage. Funny how your opinion of snow changes somewhere between the ages of 5 and 50. And gets even worse if you are a homeowner!

Now I am certain why people go to Florida to retire! This is way too early to even see this stuff. I am depressed at the thought of having to repeat last years winter wonderland. It is exasperating to even contemplate another one like that.

Hang in there Maggie. Global warming is on the way to save us! Yeah, right...

Nooooo.....Global warming may be the REASON why there is the snow storm.... It causes overall climate changes because of the nature of it. This is a good article .

Either way, we're at 9" over here and I'm crossing my fingers that the lights stay on and that it's over for the night!

 

[ChickenAl]

Morning all,

Lost power last night around 10pm. Saw the flash of the transformer that blew. Still without power or any clue as to when it will be restored. Glad the iPhone still works.

Hope you all are safe and did not sustain any damage.

 

[smkchick]

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Al, you really do need to meet Bobby. He would totally be on this website with his iphone! We'll be keeping our fingers crossed your power comes back on real soon.

But seriously, thanks for the suggestions about the coop. I haven't been out to check the water levels yet, but it's supposed to be sunny and windy, so that should dry things out pretty fast! We're going to experiment with the bulb thing today. I'll let you know how that works out.

Our coop is pretty small. I don't know how easy it would be to insulate it. But I like that idea. We could add a layer of insulation to the roof, I guess.

My daughter and her boyfriend are driving home from Cortland this morning. Trust me, I won't be worrying about burning the coop down today. Bigger worries on my mind...

 

[stoopid]

Joe (chickety charcoal) Welcome to the thread and welcome to BYC!!
Doesn't seem what age mine were, they ALL seem to be molting at the same time... NOW! Poor babies, when I am used to 2-3 dozen eggs a day, some days I get 2 eggs. C'mon ladies, we need to step it up.
Depends on the size of the coop, insulation would have been nice. I see some people are using some kind of foil backed foam panels.... maybe look into those?
You do know that more chickens=more heat?!
I really don't have that issue, being insulated and overloaded. It's trial and error here. There are lots of threads on coop design, will give you plenty of ideas for upgrades. Check them out when you have some time to kill.
My name's Roberta
And