Utah!

[Heather J]

Christian, he probably has some, but he actually lives in Oak City. I'm trying to remember his name.... he doesn't make it over this direction very often, but if I hear from him, I'll let him know you're interested and get his number for you.

I really like it in Fillmore, nice small town, not too far off the beaten path. No one cares how many animals I have or complains about my loud geese. I was getting about four eggs a day during the summer, but between the molt, darkness, and I think the extra cockerels in the pen, the hens have stopped laying. As soon as the extra boys go in the freezer I'll be putting a light in the coop for a few hours in the morning to see if I can stimulate them to lay a little. They are about through growing feathers back now.

Delta and Milford are definitely off the beaten path. A little too desert for me, if I were going to move that direction, I'd probably lean more toward Oak City, which is closer to the mountains. They do usually have milder winters than we do, less snow and maybe a few degrees warmer, but it's hotter there too, and they get less rain. I know some great EMTs in Milford, but I'd be uncomfortable that far from hospitals, sheriff's deputies, and other services. I also wouldn't like being that far from real stores (not that Fillmore has a great deal to brag on in that way, but at least I can buy odd items for dinner if I realize I'm missing something or run pick up a pipe fitting).

 

[Christian]

Yes, I would be interested.

Thanks for the information on the areas. I'm not sure if I know where Oak City is. I think I have heard of it before but not certain.

Maybe, I need to take the family for a ride and scout out a few areas that direction.

 

[zachslc]

So do folks in salt lake heat/insulate their coops? The chickens are rapidly outgrowing my basement cage and will soon move to the greenhouse until the coop is built and they are fully feathered.

 

[nakactress]

nope not at all. I do keep a heat lamp over the water to prevent feezing but thats it.

 

[Heather J]

I'm in Fillmore, and I have insulated my second coop because I have frizzled cochins and silkies, and I plan to raise my babies in there through the winter, but my first coop verges on drafty and has zero insulation and my chickens did just fine last winter with no extra heat. I just emptied and refilled their water in the morning.

 

[zachslc]

So when it is ten degrees outside they can sit in an uninsulated, unheated plywood shack and they are comfortable?

 

[nakactress]

They are fine in cold. It's actually heat that is more of a problem then cold.

 

[zachslc]

How do I know when cold is tool cold? All the breeds I have selected are "hardy" or "very hardy". But I COULD live in 40 degree weather, but would not be comfortable. I don't want to just keep them alive--I want them to have a pleasant existence. Am I paranoid?

 

[Christian]

In my (VERY limited) experience, I think they huddle up pretty well when it is cold.

I agree the heat is what is hard to give them respite from. Of course, I live in Southern Utah where the winter is mild and the summer is well........hotter than hell itself.

 

[ole-crone]

Chickens have lived in unheated, uninsulated coops in Cache Valley for over 100 years.

I admit that I start feeling sorry for them as it gets colder - especially when it starts inching down past zero. We have a water heater and maybe a light to help but that's all.

We have various coops and one of the coops has 4 rooms. I'm trying to convince the girls to congregate in one to have their bodies generate extra warmth. No luck yet.