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

[Kismet]

My grandfather used to say: When the days get longer, the cold gets stronger. This whole week has been cold, and we've had three snowstorms. Another nor'easter is due Wednesday.

But . . . spring is coming! I've talked to several neighbors and all have reported more eggs! One went from 0 eggs to an average of 7 (10 hens), another who was getting about seven is now getting about 21 every day. I am getting over a dozen now (from an average of seven eggs).

I put a bale of hay (without twine) in the middle of my coop (12' x 16') and let the chickens play around in it. They entertain themselves distributing it all over and it adds to the deep litter. I use a light - the curly ones that come on slow and use less electricity - to extend daylight, but that's all. The birds all seem in great moods. I think it is just I who is cold.

I have been enjoying finding out what people from around the country, nay, the world, are doing to combat their climates. Thanks, Mrs. Bird Brain!

 

[Mrs MIA]

You're welcome!

Glad others are chiming in with their personal experiences.

I'm actually experiencing slight twinges of guilt... we're warmer than a lot of places in the Lower 48 right now. +15*F and threatening snow. The -30, -40F temps we were expecting from the La Nina are having a hard time coming through. NOT complaining...

But I do know what you guys are going through. Weather patterns are all topsy turvy, and it will probably only get worse.

I've already got the 1502 fired up and hatching quail... test batches from my BBS Orpingtons are in so that any babies will be old enough to show this Fall. Getting itchy to start filling it up!

 

[jeannieo]

this morning when I looked outside at the thermometer it was -6!

I was a little concerned for the girls so I made them a big pot of oatmeal and corn bread with sunflower seeds, bird seed, and scratch. Went out to feed and water and of course they were fine!

Not so much for the little mouse that got into the scratch bucket! I forgot to put the cover on last night and when I went out and looked in the bucket, there was this adorable little mouse curled up. I picked up the bucket, figuring he would move but nope! frozen solid! At least he got a good meal of corn before he went to mouse heaven!

 

[77horses]

Would -10*F to -20*F be considered "too cold"?

 

[featherz]

Quote:
Gonna be -25 here tonight so I hope not!

They made it through -15, so we'll see in the morning.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Quote:
Too cold for what? I've got a non-heated henhouse and we're gunna be -15 tonight with wind chills around -30. They'll be fine. So will the 2 week old chicks in there under their momma. Everyone just got a nice meal prior to going to bed and will have something to digest all night to keep them warm.

 

[featherz]

Quote:
Too cold for what? I've got a non-heated henhouse and we're gunna be -15 tonight with wind chills around -30. They'll be fine. So will the 2 week old chicks in there under their momma. Everyone just got a nice meal prior to going to bed and will have something to digest all night to keep them warm.

Ditto. I have a bad flock raiser bag (nothing wrong with it except it's all powder) that I made into a mash with some scrambled egg and hot water and I've bag balmed all the combs. May not help but will make me feel better. Even managed to catch my roo.

I'll probably be more miserable having to go out in -26F checking on them in the morning before work!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Quote:
Too cold for what? I've got a non-heated henhouse and we're gunna be -15 tonight with wind chills around -30. They'll be fine. So will the 2 week old chicks in there under their momma. Everyone just got a nice meal prior to going to bed and will have something to digest all night to keep them warm.

Ditto. I have a bad flock raiser bag (nothing wrong with it except it's all powder) that I made into a mash with some scrambled egg and hot water and I've bag balmed all the combs. May not help but will make me feel better. Even managed to catch my roo.

I'll probably be more miserable having to go out in -26F checking on them in the morning before work!

I'd watch it on the bad Flock Raiser bag. I had one similar and it was bad because it had grain mites in it. I had an infestation all over my house! Although it's probably waaay too cold for grain mites to thrive.

That was actually the reason I switched from Purina to Blue Seal. I contacted Purina about it and they never contacted me back.

 

[JLS]

I just gave my babies warm oatmeal, BOSS, and cracked corn before they went to bed. You should see how HUGE their crops are

It is going to be -15 to -20 tonight. Currently we are a balmy 11F

Coop temp is 20F. They seemed quite comfy.

I must admit I did cave .....I put the brooding lamp out there for tonight only.

I clamped it to the ceiling rafter and chained it too. I am sure that this is for my peace of mind and not for them. I look forward to this spring when I can insulate the coop and NEVER worry about the low temps again. I am truly sorry for being so weak

 

[77horses]

I have a 4x4 coop with three young pullets and a rooster all snuggled together on their perch, with their crops full of laying pellets that they ate before bed. Because it's expected to get so cold, I have a heat lamp set on a timer out there just in case. I know they would probably be fine without it, but it wouldn't hurt anything to have it out there to give off some warmth and keep their water from freezing.