Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[babylady4]

Ran the fat bike around this morning and then did some snowshoeing. Love it!

 

[Heinzie]

I really don't think ventilation is an issue. The coop is made out of rough cut ash applied edge to edge not lapped with an angled roof not sealed. There is no moisture or ice inside, but I will keep an eye out for moisture problems. I just think they were to dumb to go inside, not that anyone wants to call there pets dumb. My coop is 4x4x4 outside dimensions for 3 birds. Not real big but it was my first attempt at a tractor. It ended up being to heavy. Going to make an area in my garden shed for them when I build it this spring

 

[ParkfieldFarm]

Just candled eggs today--of the 15 we set, 6 weren't fertile (some of these were young hens, so I'm not super surprised) and one died. Still excited for the rest!

 

[Loveak9]

Local wisconsinite, I have a question. This is our first flock of chickens and first winter with them. I am wondering if this is frostbite? We live in south-central WI and recently had the negative numbers for temp. We have 6 (2 buff orpington, 2 barred rock, 2 EE), only 1 buff got this on her comb. I attached photos of the buff. FYI: I had taken the pics in the dark with a bright cool white light, so the combs do look bit less red then they had really been. But it's the tips of the buff comb I am worried about.
Background:
Coop is a 5ftx6ft by 5ft high coop, with open eaves (covered my hardware cloth) & ridge roof vent (like many houses) . The Open (ventilation) is about 1 1/4 foot about the hens heads when they are on the roost. There is air movement in the coop, but no breeze (no feather movement or bedding movement or ribbon). Only breeze really present is at the very top of the peak of the roof (about 5ft hight) when it's windy out.
We have 2-3 inch of pine shaving bedding in the coop. We do have a water in the coop, but it's pretty sealed (cooler, with horizontal nipples). No frost or condensation present in the coop this whole winter soo far. We do have frozen poop on the poop boards, as I can't chisel the little piles off (we use Sweet PDZ on the boards).

I am worried we might need to move them in to the garage this thursday - sunday as it is going to be in the negatives again.

 

[bigzio]

Welcome to the cheeseheads loveak9. Yep, that's actually a really mild case of frostbite compared to how it can really become. Maybe close part of the vents when the weather is extreme. I simply shove straw in places I want to close, however old sheets or towels would prolly work too. It's one tough issue to deal with for sure.

bigz

 

[ParkfieldFarm]

I think I would bed deeper, too. Sometimes that can help a bit with raising the interior temp of the coop because it's an extra insulator.

 

[bigzio]

Yep, good that you mentioned that kee. That's always wise to do, especially if the floor isn't insulated. I have over 12" of straw on the floor and will add even more with the wind chills they are predicting this weekend.
I prefer the straw for Winter and will switch back to pine shavings after Spring clean out of the coop. The hollow straw provides excellent insulation and soft bedding.
bigz

 

[Loveak9]

Maybe close part of the vents when the weather is extreme. I simply shove straw in places I want to close, however old sheets or towels would work too.

bigz

So I am understanding this as too much airflow can be bad in really cold times. So blocking off some of the "vent" can help prevent frostbite?

I think I would bed deeper, too. Sometimes that can help a bit with raising the interior temp of the coop because it's an extra insulator.

Our floor is not insulated (but does sit on the ground-not a raised coop). I will up the bedding level in the coop.

Thanks for the info... sounds like this winter is going to be a learning time for us and the ladies.

 

[bigzio]

I'll compare ventilation to drafting a wood furnace with a damper...ventilation is needed for fresh air and the ability for moisture to escape. You don't leave a damper wide open because of the roar it will create if you don't shut it down some.....same thing occurs with strong winds and extreme temps in regards to ventilation. With wind chills 20 to 30 degrees below zero, the draft (or ventilation) becomes more than needed and needs tweaked some to keep the draft from becoming chilling to the birds. It's really hard to prevent frostbite completely on single comb birds when the temps become so extreme..... every coop is a different situation... doing the best one can to provide the best ventilation is a work in progress....the coop needs some ventilation, but not more than enough....hope that helps some.

bigz

 

[ParkfieldFarm]

Aaaand everyone is sneezing and congested as of today. Ick ick ick. I'm worried but am hopeful it's just a little normal congestion with the sudden weather change and nothing too serious. Off to get some VetRx. *sigh*