Winter in New England

[chickn]

i believe the red light is 250 watt, however i found a good variety at lowes.

and this is pennys mom? its wendy did you ask about your birds droppings here? its a good place to get advice.

 

[LynneP]

Apparently you can get water heaters for wild birds and other pets, too, they're in most hardware stores. A lot of them are perfect for the coop provided you have an electric outlet. Sometimes they're cheaper than poultry supplies. Remember to shield the cord with a metal spring or something if it doesn't have a guard.

http://www.forthebirdsnatureshop.ca/store/home.php?cat=368&gclid=CIv9lqqJypYCFQIWFQodChXdyw

http://www.snowcountrypets.com/products-group-waterdevices.html?gclid=CKC4s4KJuZYCFQgRFQodI0xDMA

 

[lesterlu]

hi wendy,

ok guys, here is the problem: my little red hen, penny, has greenish to now greenish black loose diarrhea (and sometimes clear) since i brought her home last tuesday. she has laid her first two eggs and is very curious and happy acting. she is eating and drinking. in the last several days, my 2 silkies' (that i got 3 weeks ago and have been ranging daily) have started pooping greener and darker.

the latest: today i talked to a guy, (at the BME in Lisbon while i was getting cheap wood supplies for the coop.) he free ranges all 30 of his chickens and he thought greenish diarrhea was ok for the first week home-he said it could be that they are not used to free ranging on rich grass. (wendy-do you have grass in your yard?) i am also going to try vet rx starting today.

regarding lights: at my lowes-the only red lights were 250w (overkill for the coop.)

LynneP- i will be using an extension cord to a no "GFI" outlet, i will check the requirements for the warmers on the sites you recommended. thank you.

my head is spinning from all of the details of chicken owning but i cant fight the urge to go the next swaps and get "just one more!" this is how the mania starts isnt it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lesterlu]

 

[chickn]

ok, she never free ranged here. so i hope that helps. she didnt free range at the place i got her from either, so if she ever did it was at the place that hatched her, which i doubt. so maybe thats it?? not sure.

and yes, you have the beginning symptoms of an addict!! congrats and welcome.

 

[wegotchickens2]

wow, your chickens stay out by themselves at night? Mine go in at dark by themselves, then we shut them up every night. Been cold here too, down to low 20's, not needed the heat yet.. We have too many critters around here to leave them out at night.. from cougar, bear to skunk, weasel, badger and racoon, even with a well made coop! I am from Mass, and we had tons of skunk and 'coons..

 

[cmom]

I leave a small red 11 watt sign bulb on 24/7. My girls lay good. I don't have any other light for them.

 

[lesterlu]

my chickens come in at night-to the hallway/mudroom. yes it is getting old, but i have atleast a few more days before the coop is finished. (i keep expanding and changing it)

we live on a wooded street so there are hawks, foxes, an owl and deer so i have bought up all of the metal wire (1/4") in the area. but during the day, they are fine, our lab/bull mastiff "Sadie" babysits them scaring all vermin away. she is very good with them. and i keep an eye on them while coop building.

the 11 watt sign bulb sounds perfect! i am going to google it.

 

[chickn]

i am so confused, who's birds stay out all night?? not mine.

 

[JayBird+16]

This is what I’m doing. Does this sound right? No artificial light during the day. They all go outside. I have a regular light on a timer come on at 5:00, when they start to head in for the night. That light goes out at 8:00 when a heat light turns on for the night. I haven’t actually used the heat light yet, I refuse to admit that it’s cold enough out.
Plus I’m a little worried about a heat light in a coop full of shavings. The heat light is mounted to the ceiling, 6.5 feet from the floor and 3 from the closest perch, am I going to catch my chickens on fire?