Surviving Minnesota!

[shawluvsbirds]

I posted a similar question over in ducks, but was wondering if you fine folks could chime in:

How old is old enough for baby ducks to go out into the coop? Mine are two weeks old now, and I was thinking about week 8 to move them out there. 10" of straw on the floor, wind protection, draft protection. Four year old chickens out there now.

With single digit temps the end of Nov (when they would be going out), do I need to supplement a heat source? I'll move the baby chicks out there on their week 12, bringing the total to 25 birds in a 10x12 coop. A little tight, but should be snug (and lots of room if they want to go outside in the run).

Ideas?

I wouldn't use supplemental heat as long as they were fully feathered.

Idk. I’ve always been of the theory that farm babies are born in the spring in these cold areas for good reason. But certainly some adapting can be done. Once fully feathered out they should be fine I would say. Ducks seem to be adapted to cold quite easily. I would start cooling down the brooder (and start adapting in a cold garage or something ) 80 degree brooder to freezing conditions might have some level of shock and adjustment. I would say making that gradual would be beneficial.

What she said.

 

[jerryse]

Snowy morning here .

 

[duluthralphie]

Snowy morning here .View attachment 1948561

Better there than here!!​

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Oh Shoot Jerry. Today would be the day to ask Janet to move north and you might not get a "H-E-double hockey sticks No!" We have Sunny Blue skies and near 40 today. Just saying.

I know I know....


Foie Gras is a nasty cruel process. The price of raising a duck liver in a less cruel and inefficient way could go to $100 a lb. it will not affect me.

I do not want to be at work today. I want to be at home doing chicken/ coop stuff.

 

[ejb3810]

It is colder than a witch's mammary gland here today. The ground is frozen on the surface now, but thank goodness no snow ----yet.
The chickens free range but spend much time hiding under the bushes, as there is little of interest for them to eat.
I am not looking forward to winter, and if not for family ties would move to a warmer climate such as the Minnesota Banana Belt.
It could be worse, as my wife and son are yet working on their last project of the year. Wall, pillars and a paver drive way. It is on a crest of a hill open to the wind off Lake Superior. Across the street from Holy Rosary Ralphie. You might know the place. An old mansion. They have asked if I would like to come and assist, but I have respectfully declined.
My wife is quite amazing to be doing this work, but she is about 30 years younger than I am.

 

[duluthralphie]

It is colder than a witch's mammary gland here today. The ground is frozen on the surface now, but thank goodness no snow ----yet.
The chickens free range but spend much time hiding under the bushes, as there is little of interest for them to eat.
I am not looking forward to winter, and if not for family ties would move to a warmer climate such as the Minnesota Banana Belt.
It could be worse, as my wife and son are yet working on their last project of the year. Wall, pillars and a paver drive way. It is on a crest of a hill open to the wind off Lake Superior. Across the street from Holy Rosary Ralphie. You might know the place. An old mansion. They have asked if I would like to come and assist, but I have respectfully declined.
My wife is quite amazing to be doing this work, but she is about 30 years younger than I am.

I was by that place tonight. My daughter lives real close to it

We went “trick or treating” with the Granddaughters tonight.

It was actually quite nice tonight, for Duluth.

 

[holm25]

I anyone is interested I am selling some mini Aussie pups for a friend. 4 females 2 males. One black female is sold but everything else is available...

 

[jerryse]

Morning . Brrr 24 here . We broke a bunch of weather records yesterday . They say it was 101 years since we had snow on Halloween .

 

[ejb3810]

I was by that place tonight. My daughter lives real close to it

We went “trick or treating” with the Granddaughters tonight.

It was actually quite nice tonight, for Duluth.

Ralphie, that is the part of town where they put twenty dollar bills instead of candy in the bags !

 

[ejb3810]

There is some strange white stuff on the ground here now. Indian Summer has ended for sure.