Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Amberjem]

on whidbey here, hows the weather on the mainland?

 

[MargaretYakoda]

on whidbey here, hows the weather on the mainland?

We were down to 24 last night.
My partner closed the coops. And unknown to him one of our chicks was still out!

Nine and a half weeks old. Out ALL NIGHT in 24 degree weather. And he's doing just FINE. Call me absolutely shocked. Seriously.

Yes, I had 14 chicks out in 45 degree weather last spring. But they were all in their own wool covered box. And there were 14 of them.

He was used to being under his mom with the other 3 chicks. And I've been seriously impressed with how this broody has been caring for this hatch in the cold.
But overnight by himself when it's well below freezing? I think I'll call him "Lucky"

 

[Amberjem]

But overnight by himself when it's well below freezing? I think I'll call him "Lucky"

lol sounds like a good name for him they have lotsa feathers.. whenever I get to worrying about them to much I think of how healthy n happy chickens are in much much snowier conditions then we have, mine were out taking a dust bath in the ice cold sand and happy as larks....we havent gotten down that much here just hovered at the 30 n starting to go back up now was in the 40's

 

[evemfoster]

on whidbey here, hows the weather on the mainland?

I'm over on the dry side north of spokane, on a hill 2400 feet its 24F. The temps has dropped 6 degrees in the last 15 minutes as the sun went down. Its supposed to drop to 14 tonight.

 

[Amberjem]

I'm over on the dry side north of spokane, on a hill 2400 feet its 24F. The temps has dropped 6 degrees in the last 15 minutes as the sun went down. Its supposed to drop to 14 tonight.

brr no signs of snow yet?

 

[CharMac76]

BRRRR! I placed a wind break over my run to help conserve some heat in there. I'm also making a DIY water heater this week. I really hope it doesn't snow anytime soon.

 

[Amberjem]

BRRRR! I placed a wind break over my run to help conserve some heat in there. I'm also making a DIY water heater this week. I really hope it doesn't snow anytime soon.

how do you plan on heating it? so far water has been clear of ice in the chicken coop here

 

[Hinotori]

on whidbey here, hows the weather on the mainland?

Been down to 16 and 18 at night the last few days here in Graham

 

[evemfoster]

brr no signs of snow yet?

We haven't had snow yet this winter. The predictions for snow are for a week away and as the days move on the snow predictions generally are moved back a day. That happens with the forecast every year. The same thing happens with the spring thaw. The closest snow predicted right now is for Friday. But in reality the temps will probably raise up to freezing and we may get rain or freezing rain instead. If its rain the minute the sun goes down the water on the roads will freeze so fast the tire of the cars will leave tread shaped ice ridges behind.

 

[Carolei]

I'm in West Seattle with five 23-week-old pullets and it's been in the mid 20s in my coop this week. Too cold! Their water has been frozen in the mornings, so I've been setting my alarm to get up at dawn to give them fresh water. I hadn't planned to heat my coop or provide supplemental light, but I'm reconsidering. I put a heat lamp on for a while this morning, but I've read so many concerns about fire hazards that I didn't leave it on for long. My girls are all cold tolerant breeds -- Buff Orp, Barred Rock, Speckled Sussex and Australorp -- so I think they should be okay. But I also think they'd be more comfortable with some heat. Do other Washingtonians provide winter heat and if so, what do you use? I'm also interested in good ideas for heating their water. The only electricity I have in my coop is an extension cord. Thanks for any advice. And by the way -- no eggs yet. I think my BR is ready if it would just get a little warmer.