Winter must haves and efficient cleaning systems

[aart]

They are regular caribeners. It must be my hands. The latches that the caribeners are on seem harder to pull open lately with the cold too.

Are they getting wet, then icing up?
I know they can be harder to open with bulky gloves on.

 

[Kaesi2020]

Are they getting wet, then icing up?
I know they can be harder to open with bulky gloves on.

That's a good point we have had a lot of rain lately so they have not only felt cold but also wet.

 

[aart]

That's a good point we have had a lot of rain lately so they have not only felt cold but also wet.

Protecting all latches and doors from rain, snow, ice is a good thing to do.

 

[Sally PB]

The sun does not always shine, especially at night

I know what you meant.

I think I'll be taking hot-ish water out to the run a few times a day. It's another reason to go visit the chickens. But I may splurge on a heated waterer if hubby can rig up a safe way to run electric.

 

[Mrs. K]

I use two small black rubber bowls as I don't have electricity either. Most days, even in very very cold weather, such as -10, this will work.

Fill one bowl, water birds, next day, flip that bowl upside down in the sun, and fill the second bowl. Even in very cold weather, if it is sunny, the black will absorb enough heat, that the ice chunk falls out. Next day, flip the empty bowl and add water, flip the frozen bowl.

Works great...until you get deep cloudy days, and then you have to stomp out the ice. My crazy birds, will devour those ice chips... go figure.

Mrs K

 

[Kaesi2020]

I use two small black rubber bowls as I don't have electricity either. Most days, even in very very cold weather, such as -10, this will work.

Fill one bowl, water birds, next day, flip that bowl upside down in the sun, and fill the second bowl. Even in very cold weather, if it is sunny, the black will absorb enough heat, that the ice chunk falls out. Next day, flip the empty bowl and add water, flip the frozen bowl.

Works great...until you get deep cloudy days, and then you have to stomp out the ice. My crazy birds, will devour those ice chips... go figure.

Mrs K

Glad to hear there are still effective watering options without electricity! I had been getting worried.

 

[Folly's place]

The black rubber bowls work well, if you have a small flock, and can change them out two or three times daily in really cold weather. Also, roosters with big wattles can get frozen wattles dipping them in the water dish, and of course small birds landing in that water will not do well getting soaked in cold weather.
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

I have had a rooster with long wattles that I have seen dipped in the water, but I have never had them freeze. Maybe just lucky.

 

[Kaesi2020]

The black rubber bowls work well, if you have a small flock, and can change them out two or three times daily in really cold weather. Also, roosters with big wattles can get frozen wattles dipping them in the water dish, and of course small birds landing in that water will not do well getting soaked in cold weather.
Mary

I can probably change the water in the black rubber bowls in the early AM, after work at 4, and then before bed. I usually keep water in the coop overnight.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I'm using a scooper and 2 buckets so very similar. The hardest part for me will be the cold weather and opening all the locks. I have arthritis so it's kind of a challenge already.

What kind of locks do you use? I use big carabiners which keep the coons out, but are easier for me to open.