The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[hoosiercheetah]

33* here at 1:30 pm.  Just finished painting in the new coop, little heater going, but will not keep temp up enough to cure the paint.  So, yet an other day before I can move them in.  My paint is a low odor exterior paint, and i can barely smell it.  Any thoughts on how long it needs to cure before it's safe to put the girls in their new coop?

The cure time depends on the paint - what precisely are you using?

 

[lazy gardener]

Valspar exterior paint from Lowes.

 

[hoosiercheetah]

Valspar exterior paint from Lowes.

I'll look it up as soon as I can tonight, but basically colder it is the longer it takes the solvent to evaporate, which is the curing process. If you can smell it at all, I wouldn't put chickens in it, unless there's really really good ventilation.

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm going to keep them in the old coop tonight, with the little heater going all night, and move them in some time tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for your input.

 

[armorfirelady]

Well after attempting to get into work (I work for emergency services for our county) I got my 4x4 in a drift. 3 hours later I got a ride to a fire hall and a friend from my firehall got me home. Over 4 ft of snow & still falling. Temps in low teens and high winds, I'm snow blowing every 2 hours to keep my driveway clear and shoveling to coop as well. Except for some snow that blew in last night that I rectified last night girls were snowed in but able to access their food and water. The snow is a good insulator. I've shoveled the hoop coop roof off twice already.

Wx forecasters saying another 2 ft tomorrow and more Thursday. Girls are fine warmth wise with snow insulation. And apparently can all get along when needed. Peepers are hanging out on roost


We are know for our snow but this is record breaker for us. Heck we made the national news !!!!

They figure my car will get winched out in a couple days, off course they have to find it first.

Looks like I get a few work snow days as well.

 

[armorfirelady]

My house

The coop

 

[islandgirl82]

My house

The coop

Hope you stay nice and warm!

 

[Leahs Mom]

@armorfirelady

That is unbelievable for November. Totally amazing. Will you have to try to go in to work tomorrow?

 

[armorfirelady]

@armorfirelady


That is unbelievable for November.  Totally amazing.  Will you have to try to go in to work tomorrow?

I have no vehicle so they will need to Pick me up to get me into work. The funny part is Monday theor calling for temps in the 50s so we have a,flood warning also lol.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I'm in the same situation but not as much snow yet. We had lake all last night and part of the morning; system snow supposed to dump a bunch tonight. Forecast is near 50 either Sat or Sunday.

I'm looking forward to that little warm reprieve. The red mamma is almost bare with a molt and is totally miserable. We put one of the hen aprons on her last night so she had some covering. It's just too cold for that. I've even considered bringing her in since it's supposed to be in the 50s soon and she could likely reacclimate afterwards.