How timely, it's 16 here in Humphreys County with 6-8" of snow on the ground, so far, still snowing. No wind, chickens are in a wind proof chicken palace. Had to break their water and pour in a large pot of water. How goes it on your end of the swamp?
I kept chickens not too far outside Bemidji Minnesota for several years. The coop was uninsulated, had good ventilation without drafts and I used the deep bedding method. I had power out there to keep the water liquid and for a single light bulb. The chickens did fine but you had to be quick or the eggs would freeze solid and crack.
Like Rob, I had power in my chicken coop too, a re-purposed 8 x 12 metal shed. I kept a red 250 watt heat lamp shining on the roost, a 100 watt white light on a timer (for constant daylight hours) and had a heater under the waterer. I closed the door to outside at night, but opened it in the morning The temperature was always above freezing and usually much warmer than outdoors at any given time. I got eggs year round.
FWIW, we've got an inch of fluffy snow here in central MD with flurries still falling. 29F. Calling for another 1-4" tonight and snow/sleet for the morning commuters to enjoy.
Ha! The timing of this article cracks me up. Here in Boise, it’s dropped about a foot of snow, and is currently zero degrees outside. The peepers are just fine, despite my wife asking every 15 mins “Do you think they’re ok?”. I built them a sturdy coop, placed it in a corner near our house, fence and trellis grapevines, and to help assuage the wifey, double tarped it. Vents up top. Added some warm oatmeal to their morning food, to go with the corn and mealworms. Best thing? This year, I got a small bucket heater for the water dish. No more of this running outside every 2 hours with water. These things are pretty damn hearty! Two buffs and a bared rock. Keep them eggs coming, ladies.
I use a heated dog dish for the water. So far the hen house is staying warm. It was -13 last night. I need to insulate the place so it's easier to keep warm.
How timely, it's 16 here in Humphreys County with 6-8" of snow on the ground, so far, still snowing. No wind, chickens are in a wind proof chicken palace. Had to break their water and pour in a large pot of water. How goes it on your end of the swamp?
ReplyDeleteI kept chickens not too far outside Bemidji Minnesota for several years. The coop was uninsulated, had good ventilation without drafts and I used the deep bedding method. I had power out there to keep the water liquid and for a single light bulb.
ReplyDeleteThe chickens did fine but you had to be quick or the eggs would freeze solid and crack.
Like Rob, I had power in my chicken coop too, a re-purposed 8 x 12 metal shed. I kept a red 250 watt heat lamp shining on the roost, a 100 watt white light on a timer (for constant daylight hours) and had a heater under the waterer. I closed the door to outside at night, but opened it in the morning The temperature was always above freezing and usually much warmer than outdoors at any given time. I got eggs year round.
DeleteFWIW, we've got an inch of fluffy snow here in central MD with flurries still falling. 29F. Calling for another 1-4" tonight and snow/sleet for the morning commuters to enjoy.
Ed
Ha! The timing of this article cracks me up. Here in Boise, it’s dropped about a foot of snow, and is currently zero degrees outside. The peepers are just fine, despite my wife asking every 15 mins “Do you think they’re ok?”. I built them a sturdy coop, placed it in a corner near our house, fence and trellis grapevines, and to help assuage the wifey, double tarped it. Vents up top. Added some warm oatmeal to their morning food, to go with the corn and mealworms. Best thing? This year, I got a small bucket heater for the water dish. No more of this running outside every 2 hours with water.
ReplyDeleteThese things are pretty damn hearty! Two buffs and a bared rock. Keep them eggs coming, ladies.
I use a heated dog dish for the water. So far the hen house is staying warm. It was -13 last night. I need to insulate the place so it's easier to keep warm.
ReplyDelete