tricks to keep eggs from freezing in winter

[mosse71]

im in n. Maine. our winters are brutal. i haven't attempted to keep hens over the winter for awhile now as its expensive for feed and almost all the eggs freeze before you can collect them. im giving it a shot agian this winter w/ 25 hens of different breeds. any tricks anyone has to delay them from freezing. there isn't any electricity out at the coop, otherwise id get some waterproof heat mats.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Collect often.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Are your nest boxes insulated? This will be my first winter with chickens (I’m in Southern Ohio, so we can vary from fifty to minus fifteen in a day...). I’m debating whether or not we will need to do that. FYI, we have sand in the coop, nest boxes, and run.

 

[mosse71]

problem is i go to work at 6am and the wife leaves at 8am. most our hens are late layers 9-11am so by time we come home on a really cold day they will be frozen.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Any retirees or stay at home parents in the area? You could share the eggs with them if they’ll just come over and collect them for you.

 

[mosse71]

Are your nest boxes insulated? This will be my first winter with chickens (I’m in Southern Ohio, so we can vary from fifty to minus fifteen in a day...). I’m debating whether or not we will need to do that. FYI, we have sand in the coop, nest boxes, and run.

no they're not . i was thinking of cutting some blueboard to line the bottom of their boxes. don't know how much tat would help but it might be worth a try. unfortunately here it can get as low as -40f. record was broke 10 yrs. ago at -50f! -20f daytime temps are a reality dec- thru march. wish i could run electricity out there but i don't have any connections on that side of the house.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I’m thinking of using the 2” thick pink foam core board and covering it with scrap OSB. (Mainly because I already have it laying around and it’ll keep the chickens from eating the insulation.) I have enough to do the walls of the nest boxes and the 3” thick sand should do the rest.

 

[123RedBeard]

Never tried it ... but ... maybe a hot water bottle? Or maybe a few bricks heated in the oven?

Or ... take frozen eggs and thaw, make omelet?

 

[aart]

Without electricity or someone to gather frequently.....I think you're outta luck.
Seriously doubt insulated nests would make much, if any, difference....
.....unless the hot bricks or bottles were added, then maybe.