Hamannshens
In the Brooder
- Feb 12, 2021
- 5
- 19
- 31
Hi from Clay & Jenny Hamann in Spring Texas. Clay grew up on a farm in Minnesota so knew something about chickens before but it is all new to me. We brought home 8 chicks last June, all female. 5 are Rhode Island Reds and 3 are Leghorns. They are so sweet and greet me with joy every day. We've been averaging 8 eggs per day so 1 per hen. My husband and I enjoy gardening and I also do a little sewing. I'm learning canning so I can put up our surplus produce from the yard. Wish there was an affordable way to preserve our eggs. I know they can be freeze dried for long term storage but can't afford a freeze drier. We are both retired and have a wonderful dog, Cleo - short for Cleopatra, who gets along with the chickens very well. Cleo is an Australian Labradoodle and fully trained seizure alert dog for me.
We are hunkering down for a winter storm that is supposed to bring the coldest temperatures to the Houston Texas area in about 70 years. I wonder if there is something more we should be doing to prepare our hens for the deep freeze. They are southern bells and I'm concerned that they may not be able to handle near zero temperatures as well as chickens that live in colder climates. So far we added a layer of insulation around the nesting box portion of their coop and put a thick layer of hay on its floor then added the warming lamp in there - the same one we used when when they were chicks. We also placed tarps for a wind break around the roosting area but left the entry area open for ventilation. They will be able to enter or leave these more protected areas and have access to the larger enclosure until we open up for free ranging time during the daylight hours. We're open to suggestions from more experienced keepers.
Finally, I found BYC when looking for information about raising chickens last summer and have come back to it repeatedly. I finally decided to join up, now, and look forward to participating in the forums.
We are hunkering down for a winter storm that is supposed to bring the coldest temperatures to the Houston Texas area in about 70 years. I wonder if there is something more we should be doing to prepare our hens for the deep freeze. They are southern bells and I'm concerned that they may not be able to handle near zero temperatures as well as chickens that live in colder climates. So far we added a layer of insulation around the nesting box portion of their coop and put a thick layer of hay on its floor then added the warming lamp in there - the same one we used when when they were chicks. We also placed tarps for a wind break around the roosting area but left the entry area open for ventilation. They will be able to enter or leave these more protected areas and have access to the larger enclosure until we open up for free ranging time during the daylight hours. We're open to suggestions from more experienced keepers.
Finally, I found BYC when looking for information about raising chickens last summer and have come back to it repeatedly. I finally decided to join up, now, and look forward to participating in the forums.
We are so happy you have joined us.
Hello from NS
and welcome to BYC! You’ve joined a great and resourceful community! Enjoy your journey!!!
