Surviving Minnesota!

[MNChickMom]

We have also left the probe hanging out the door. However, I caught it after only 45 minutes so we were saved. Be careful in taping the probe to the outside wall. We had some wild fluctuations in our temperatures when we tried that.

This is one of those learn by example mistakes. You will never make that mistake twice......I would continue to incubate the eggs though. I had a batch in my foamy that had wild swings and it yielded 75% pullets. (6 of 8) I read something that said female embroyos can withstand a tad more heat. I don't know if it was a fluke or if it has some validity. (I really don't care to test the theory yet either.)

And Ralphie.....if you start drinking before 8:30pm you better be delivering.....I will be at the local church tonight teaching religion. Hopefully, Easter doesn't have 10 4rth graders too wound tight yet.

 

[Drea07]

Do you guys free range all winter? I've been keeping the run door closed as soon as it starts snowing and keeping it that way until spring. I worry that some will find a warm nook to hide in and be stuck out until the next day or a predator will notice the feast in the snow and visit. (Then again an owl picked off a few late nighters in the run.)

 

[BantyChooks]

Do you guys free range all winter? I've been keeping the run door closed as soon as it starts snowing and keeping it that way until spring. I worry that some will find a warm nook to hide in and be stuck out until the next day or a predator will notice the feast in the snow and visit. (Then again an owl picked off a few late nighters in the run.)

Define free range?
I leave the door open but they don't budge from the coop from November til May.

 

[Drea07]

Well just opening the door and let them do as they wish in winter. Be it hiding in the coop or running in the yard.
Mine don't really leave the coop or the hay paths I make for them in the run.

 

[BantyChooks]

Well just opening the door and let them do as they wish in winter. Be it hiding in the coop or running in the yard.
Mine don't really leave the coop or the hay paths I make for them in the run.

Gotcha. Then yes, I free range all winter... even on the real cold days. Because ducks and indoor water don't mix.

 

[jerryse]

I am having a day to make MdChickmom's look good.

I just went down to check on my eggs.

Everyone is dead, I am afraid. When I shut the door yesterday I did not notice the temp probe for the thermostat was in the door, taking a reading from just outside the door.

So the thermostat called for heat for the last 24 hours, Meaning I was around 110 inside the incubator....

I am not a happy boy with myself. I have always let the probe hang in front of the racks to about halfway down to get the best temps.

I guess that is over now I will be moving the probe further back and securing it inside the case....

Yes, I am ticked off at my own stupidity.....Coffee over, whiskey ahead!

Sorry to hear this . What setup you got with a hanging probe ?

 

[Bogtown Chick]

This may be the quirkiest little calf we have ever had... And her mom has her grandmas personality... Super laid back when we are working with the baby... Just makes her tending call when we are in with them... This is a line of Easy keepers...
View attachment 1305124

What a gorgeous calf. Oh Holm what fun that you have that farm there. And those buff orpington and buckeye chicks are gorgeous too.

Sorry about the incubator woes all. I lost my fluffy silkie incubator. I have not replaced her with a machine yet. Looking at the brinsea 7 egg deals. Might have to be next spring.....

 

[Drea07]

Huh...I will have to open the door.

Tell me about it with the ducks! I have a heated "pond" in the run, after the ice mess from them the year before.
Of course this year one of the ducks decided to take a swim in the "pond" in 15 below temps and wouldn't ya just know it...the heater tripped the breaker....found a frozen solid duck the next morning.
Changed out the heater and put milk crates in the "pond", now the only thing they can get in there is a beak...maybe a toe if they get determined enough to acquire the balance to hold onto the edge.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I had an open door policy for my birds 4 seasons a year, 12 months, 7 days a week, closed up the coop pop door at night only. This winter however, a Fox trapsed into my run broad daylight and took two birds who did not free range in winter snow from the run and walked out. End of open doors in the winter. That's just me.

 

[BantyChooks]

Huh...I will have to open the door.

Tell me about it with the ducks! I have a heated "pond" in the run, after the ice mess from them the year before.
Of course this year one of the ducks decided to take a swim in the "pond" in 15 below temps and wouldn't ya just know it...the heater tripped the breaker....found a frozen solid duck the next morning.
Changed out the heater and put milk crates in the "pond", now the only thing they can get in there is a beak...maybe a toe if they get determined enough to acquire the balance to hold onto the edge.

Oh wow, poor ducky!