Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[Terri O]

Good morning all! IT didnt seem too bad out on the porch while I watched the dogs outside this morning...of course I was only out there for a few minutes! I am heading out now to feed. Peggy is coming over and we are heading to the used tack sale at Jefferson. DH is already out of the house on his way to Lake Geneva. Has to meet an owner for a loss for work. Sheesh...I kinda hate when he works on salary!
The wind was good in one way last night! It got the plastic down that was wrapped around the electrical wire to the barn. I had it stapled to the barn and it let go during the last wind! I hope I can find it now! It is probably up at Frenchie's place already.

Dan I had to laugh at the flies/skeeters comment; so true! Gotta keep that silver lining in mind at all times to stay sane in this kind of weather.
JJ--BL? CC? is right (if that is who commented--now I cant remember) The hen is Tina (Tommy's wife) Many of my chickens seem to have that little "hat." I bought a flock when mine were all wiped out in an attack(before I knew about this site) and many of them had it too. I guess it has filtered down in the ranks so to speak. I have no idea what she is unfortunately. Are you thinking that you got some of her eggs or that the chicks you have just look like her? The coolest bird that I hatched last year is a black Ameraucana with a top hat! I have no idea how that happened either!

Big Fam I am thinking about that incubator...I would like to do a test hatch of the Aussies. I will have to give you a call and we can see what we can work out.

Gotta run--ride is leaving her house! TerriOwishingyouallawarmsunnyday

 

[judge]

Good morning! Ok- question. (again) Anyone else have an unheated coop? Ours is not insulated either, but it is wrapped in plastic. I usually leave the pop door open, but I closed it last night. Going out to check and let them out soon, and really hoping I don't find any frozen chicken nuggets

Any horsey people tell me if the pony will be ok out there? He has a shelter with 3 sides and a roof with a straw floor. Will he be ok or do I need to find someplace in the barn for him? Not sure what the cows would think of that!
Any way- this weather gets me worried.
Hope you all have a good day- stay warm!

 

[unkadan]

judge,
my main coop is 70 yrs old, 12'X26', board/batten const, no insulation. I opened it all up this year and don't have enough birds in it to heat with bodies. I do deep litter which helps, this week I did hang up 2 heat lamps, one over the roosters that are caged so combs don't freeze and one over the new waterer. I will run these lamps only during this cold spell. I figure if this building worked then it will now, they did have an oil space heater in it for late winter when they brooded.

If I were you I would keep that pop door closed at night,,,cuts drafts and for predators.

My "ice shack" coop is well insulted 8'X7' with deep litter and maybe a few more birds than needed, I have a couple low vents (right now blocked) and made a couple vents at the high side of the roof. Just a cookie tin heater keeps the water fine. No thermometer in there but a guess would be it was in the 30's this morning when it was -4 outside.

just my .02

danwhoisgoingtoeatsomechillesoon

 

[Bigfamily4me]

Just thinking I may have to propose pure bred egg swap within his thread...

But not until spring... I have pure Wheaten Marans (blue and standard) from Bev Davis. They will be one in March and prime for egg swapping

 

[Hurley]

Cold cold morning, our recycling bins are down by our tree line along with the boys' sled. The girls seem to not care this am, had some lovely eggs freshly laid when I went out to check on them. Opened the gate and they're actually out free ranging and having a gale of a time running from wind break to wind break.

Chickies are dancing in their fermented feed, having a blast. Dogs don't seem to realize it's cold out. Love those Aussies.

Woke up to a nice warm, snug house this am, stoked myself a nice fire for the overnight, smart thinking there. House is quite pleasant. Gets pretty cold without that chimney fired up on the west wall.

 

[judge]

judge,
my main coop is 70 yrs old, 12'X26', board/batten const, no insulation. I opened it all up this year and don't have enough birds in it to heat with bodies. I do deep litter which helps, this week I did hang up 2 heat lamps, one over the roosters that are caged so combs don't freeze and one over the new waterer. I will run these lamps only during this cold spell. I figure if this building worked then it will now, they did have an oil space heater in it for late winter when they brooded.

If I were you I would keep that pop door closed at night,,,cuts drafts and for predators.

My "ice shack" coop is well insulted 8'X7' with deep litter and maybe a few more birds than needed, I have a couple low vents (right now blocked) and made a couple vents at the high side of the roof. Just a cookie tin heater keeps the water fine. No thermometer in there but a guess would be it was in the 30's this morning when it was -4 outside.

just my .02

danwhoisgoingtoeatsomechillesoon

Thanks Dan.- when i went out just a little while ago i was surprised that they were all out, scratching in the dirt. I figured the Chanteclers would be, but even the Ameraucanas were out. I guess they are hardier than I thought.

 

[delisha]

My coop is old as the hills..not insulated. Big vents in the attic area on both ends. Door open all day, closed at night. The chickens are out foraging. The ducks are in and out. It is cold and thee chickens are acting like it is cold, but, they are all good! No heat needed. I do worry about the broody on the nest, but, I put my hand on her and she is nice and tosty warm. She ate well this morning. I wish I would of marked the eggs under her. I am not sure if others are giving her more.

 

[kjgoodman]

Pretty cold at home. The oldest seems to be keeping up with the chicken chores better than I expected. 70 and sunny in Orlando Today although I am not seeing much of it from inside the exhibit hall:-(. Good luck to everyone and stay warm during this cold snap!!!!!!

 

[bigzio]

http://www.liveleak.com/ll_embed?f=f9132a37d604 Sunny Cold Sunday To Everyone.... Just another day at work, I wanted to share.

bigz

 

[Terri O]

Good afternoon! WOW Bigz--that video was something! I kept thinking that something bad was going to happen but it must have realized the guy was trying to help or it was so exhausted it was ready to die! Neat that he got to scratch his nose! How many can claim that they got to do that?

Went to the tack sale today and saw Carol...of course she didnt have the incubator with her! But I did get a lead on purchasing a couple from a friend I saw there. I decided I will take you up on your offer though BigFam..I met several folks that asked if I would have chicks this year! (imagine that?) My girls are ready, I just have to add the boys and we will be ready to go!

All happy in my coops too. I did have to chase a bunch of stuff that was moved by the wind last night! THe meaties are sneezing worse but drank the entire 5 qts of medicated water in 15 minutes so I gave them another panfull. I hope by tomorrow they are going to turn the corner to the good! I was reading about using Tylan last night and there is no withdrawal time for the lower dose. THe upper dose is 1 day in poultry so I am confident using it; I just hope it does the trick and I dont have to use another antibiotic.

Judge your pony should be fine if it has a nice warm coat built up. Our Shetland used to get so fuzzy it was incredible. As long as you have a shelter it will be good. Your doorside should be open to the South however to take advantage of the most sunlight available. My goats are very fuzzy right now and do not seem to mind the cold at all. They also have a 3 sided shed to go into. I tried to block the open side a bit last year but they took it all down so I guess they dont need it do they? Silly animals!

I was supposed to attend a graduation party today...I am finally thawing out after being outside so I think I will stay right here in the warm house! It is not too bad out there but I am feeling lazy to boot! Yeah, this feels just fine! I do need to find some food to eat however...the tummy is empty!
On that note I am off! I know not what I shall eat! TerriOthinkingsomethingwarmmightbenice