Think it's too cold for your chickens? Think again...

[CoopChick719]

Quote:
That is weird! Gosh, last night I had flashbacks to Montana & North Dakota! LOL It was well below zero and we had 50mph+ wind gusts, with a constant wind of about 20mph...I think it was -25 or colder....MISERABLE! I moved my waterfowl into my horse trailer (out of the wind) because they didn't have enough sense to move into their shelters.

Here's a picture my DH took of me last night after we were done moving them all...

Chicken keeping is not for the fashionistas, is it?

DH is always teasing me about my coop outfits!

 

[chestypuller]

Chicken keeping is not for the fashionistas, is it?

DH is always teasing me about my coop outfits!

VavaVA VOOM! hubba hubba hubba!! sexyyy!

 

[PAchickengirl]

I keep saying I need a "barn" coat. I know I shouldn't go out there in my nice, everyday coat, but its so warm! I think I will get myself a nice Carhart coat for Christmas!

Should I be worried that one of the chickens has been sleeping on the side, alone? I am thinking she's at the bottom of the pecking order and they won't let her on the roost. It's been in the low to mid 20's, but will get colder soon, I'm sure.

 

[Wrightsx4]

I have 3-4 hens that have decided to roost up in the rafters in the outside run rather than inside the coop itself. 



They are fairly well protected  (coop is surrounded by 6 foot fence and motion detectors from the house point in that direction)

I thought as the temps went down, they would go inside.. but no. Tonight i went out there and there are 5 of them now.  I keep moving them in, and they go pretty willingly but its becoming a PIA.  (The rafters are a good 8 feet off the ground, and I have to use a makeshift hoe to get them down) 

Do you think they will eventually learn?  or am I going to need to do this all winter?  I have tried to keep them in the coop for a day or so, but feel badly for them, and let them out

You could cover the rafters with bird netting -like you'd use to cover a fruit tree. I did that inside my coop. A 14x14ft square is $6-7 and works great!

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

my chickens sleep in the snow drifts...but I am nowhere near as cold as Alaska! Southern facing window, no glass. No losses from the cold. They go out at the first sign of day break, and go to bed early. I let them tell me how they are....puffed up, no moving around....not a good sign. Check amonia levels as well as cold issue...those fumes are toxic. Hungry? They stand at the door and tell me! Does anyone give suet or lard in the winter? We put it out for the birds when its bad, this year I'll offer it to the chickens as well.

 

[newmusher]

the monitor is propane and empire is one of the makers. your local propane dealer should have them or know where to get them. they use no electricity. we have two in the house and one in the dog kennel as well. they work really well

 

[Missa Chickabee]

I keep saying I need a "barn" coat. I know I shouldn't go out there in my nice, everyday coat, but its so warm! I think I will get myself a nice Carhart coat for Christmas!
Should I be worried that one of the chickens has been sleeping on the side, alone? I am thinking she's at the bottom of the pecking order and they won't let her on the roost. It's been in the low to mid 20's, but will get colder soon, I'm sure.

Just run to a "goodwill" or second-hand store if you have them. I've gotten coats for $5 that do very nicely in subezero Far. weather.

Now I think we should do a fashion show of our winter get-ups.

 

[toofarout]

the monitor is propane and empire is one of the makers.  your local propane dealer should have them or know where to get them.  they use no electricity. we have two in the house and one in the dog kennel as well. they work really well

Thank you!

 

[Going Quackers]

For those who don't heat the coop, what is th absolute lowest temperature before you would consider turning on a heat lamp in the coop?

I'm not sure i have a certain temp in mind, i just watch the birds... if there seems to be some shivering going on then i will add one otherwise, i won't. I am very concerned about them being acclimatized to a temp that is not genuine, if we lost hydro they'd freeze... and sadly we have had ice storms that have done this.

 

[Going Quackers]

I keep saying I need a "barn" coat. I know I shouldn't go out there in my nice, everyday coat, but its so warm! I think I will get myself a nice Carhart coat for Christmas!
Should I be worried that one of the chickens has been sleeping on the side, alone? I am thinking she's at the bottom of the pecking order and they won't let her on the roost. It's been in the low to mid 20's, but will get colder soon, I'm sure.

I love my carhartt coat! mind you it's not just for the birds, it's mainly for the horses but does double duty horses/poultry.. durable and warm...