Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Grandmas Coop]

And this is our first winter with birdies

Welcome to the thread!! it is 16 out this morning at 4am- I went out at 4 and got the 5gal. water jug and brought it in the house. I only filled it 1/4 of the way and added 1/4 tsp of electrolytes . I go out every 2 to 3 hours and check it.
the main thing list you may already know

keep them dry
no wind/breeze
no frozen water
add electrolytes "like rooster booster brand" to the water when needed
dry food [free feed- I keep feed in my feeders all the time, the chickens eat when they want]
keep the windows closed if you have them

For their own good I lock them in/keep the door shut what I know it is to cold for them to be out in it, their feet and combs will freeze.

 

[PopoMyers]

My brain tells me that but my body when I'm sitting out with them tells me otherwise! I have an outdoor cat who sleeps under a trouble light with a halogen bulb and has done just fine for years but it still worries me!

I worried the first year, too, and put a Cozi heater panel in there. It came out this past summer, and they are all fine. DH still worries. Most important is drinkable water when it's this freezing. Glad I invested in a heated 3 gallon waterer. Had to fill it yesterday.

I hear you - my wife would rather sleep with the window open and I have 3 quilts on me! I know the ladies will be fine. . . . It's still damn cold!

Likewise, I have flannel sheets, a blanket, a Sherpa electric blanket and a comforter. My cousin's wife is an open window gal too, but on the other side of the state!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Good morning State folks wind is howling 25 out.
We had a blow back down the chimney first time blowing that hard.
Birds warm their water is fine only good side to dome coop.
He opened the chicken door not the man door. Keep the warmth in the coop.

 

[ValerieJ]

Hello Washington! It's cold here but no wind. We had to switch out all the watering dishes today because they were all frozen. I'll go out shortly and check them again. They can refreeze in this cold. They do have a heated water dish in the coop, but they only go in there to lay eggs. Not too sure they would go inside to get a drink of water. Are they that smart?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I really haven't been doing anything different with my flock - still fermented feed in the morning, and we have a heated waterer but I know realistically they're eating snow for most of their water needs. Windows on coop are all still open and they're still choosing to sleep right up against it.

I feel bad for the hummingbirds though, can't keep their feeders liquid so I swap them out every few hours if it starts to ice up.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Birds are darn smart. Darn it is cold.
Had french toast from sourdough nice breakfast.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

2:45 time to refill the wood racks, chickens are good, dishes and laundry done, phones charged, flashlights charged,
Sun set 4:24 2 hours of light left

 

[Hinotori]

Even the almost 12 year old hen is doing good. Temp of 13° didn't cause any issues.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I was at -18 this morning, they are still laying eggs and I got a new one. I know the white is just bloom, but it is pretty.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Cute egg