The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Mrs Rebecca]

If they are cramming in the nest boxes that tells me there is a draft on their roost....what kind of chickens do you own?

Buff Orpington, Barred Rock, Gold Comet, Production Red and Black Australorp
My coop is a little farm store coop. I have been worried that it doesn't have enough ventilation because it only has the open door. I covered the run with plastic, but it started to smell, so I took plastic off of a west corner, which is under the coop, opposite the door.

 

[Mrs Rebecca]

http://www.orschelnfarmhome.com/extreme-hen-house-chicken-coop/ctl16754/cp58434/si6126732/cl1/

This is my coop. I do not have plastic over my north side of the run, but it is up against my shed on the north side. There is perhaps 2-3 inches between the run and the shed. Could this be the source of my draft?

 

[ki4got]

OMG!! I literally "cackled" over the GallusCam ad!

Hope y'all all have the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Years!

I just really love this thread and all of you who have been so generous with your information and wisdom and so kind to us learners.

i bagawked when she went over the falls! LOL

 

[Sally8]

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. All our snow is gone but just read that we might get a dusting before Christmas morning. I can't remember if this was the thread where someone asked if Silkies roosted or slept on the floor. I've had a pic to show but couldn't get it to download. They have a roost about 10 in off the floor but would rather sleep together. The temp in their coop isn't as cold as the bigger chickens coop and I never see them under the light for heat. They must just like being together. In this pic there are 6 of them but usually only 5.

 

[armorfirelady]

 
Happy Holidays to each and everyone of you..

x2

anyone giving special holiday treats to their flock?  me, I'm just going to make sure they get a nice warm mash.  

My girls are getting some eggs, fresh parsley, grapes and cukes I picked up at the grocery store. It's what they like best And I am sure some ham after dinner I didn't buy any meal worms this year. They are just as happy with grapes lol.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Happy Holidays to each and everyone of you..

Same to you! What do you have planned for the holiday?

 

[Leahs Mom]

A wonderful Christmas to you all!

 

[Nickeyo]

Merry Xmas from my troops

 

[delisha]

It is -6 right now with a -25 wind chill. I have my flock of 5 tucked away in their little coop, but I am still a nervous wreck! They are going to be ok right??? This is my first winter with chickens and these temperatures are pretty low for Missouri this time of year.

They will be fine..I would let them go into the nest box if they find that spot the best and can keep the warmest. Those little coops are made with thin wood that is easy to put together. Nice coop and perfect for your 5 hens. Next year I would enclose the run in plywood for the winter on sides and top, leaving the South end exposed. Plastic will keep too much moisture in and would be Ok for just the top to let sun in.

Quote: Relatives...traveling..ugh..it is bitter cold.

 

[Mrs Rebecca]

Thank you, delisha. This morning they were fine. The very tips of my rooster's comb is a little blackish, but it has been that way for a couple of weeks. I don't see any blisters and he and the hens seem fine. They are not appreciating the snow at all.

I am really not too impressed with the little coop. It seems too small for my 5 chickens, especially when they won't come out because of the snow. I am grateful that the run has a little roof, so they can at least spend time there, snow free. I still feel like they don't have enough space though. I am working on plans for a much larger coop and run. I will be adding at least 15 more layers and would like to butcher meat birds as well. I am thinking that the little coop may work better as a brooder.

Merry Christmas! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!