I'm not new to chickens, but it's been colder than EVER here in Alaska, and I'm not sure what to do. Yeah, they're alive in -15 F. temps with a tree separating their roof, frozen dirt coop floor. I'm at a loss here. Any ideas? I've been doing this for 7 winters, but this one is kicking ass on everyone -- tree fell through coop roof in November with -35 wind chill and branches are inside coop -- no way to fix until spring. The girls are red/black sex links, bred for this climate, BUT STILL. I am out there 2-3 times a day with carbs and fresh water, 75 watt red floodlamp in roost area (surrounded, not enclosed by plastic), but is there anything else you can suggest I do? My heart breaks for them when I see weather reports with no above zero readings -- it's been more than 4 weeks of this! HELP. If I bring them into house or heated garage, I might as well walk away from any residual equity...not worth it, but they are so great. Eggs are all frozen/broken, except for maybe 1/2 I can rescue each a.m. Anyone else had these problems? Will they make it? I love them.
Alaska Farm Girl
--- In CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com, "wildliferescue29" <wildliferescue29@...> wrote:
>
> As far as heat, as long as birds are completely feathered and healthy, they shouldn't need heat, especially in your climate. I live where there are severe winters and as long as they're out of the wind and elements, they do just fine without a heat source.
>
> In your area, heat would be more of a problem. Erecting your coop in the shade is a smart idea.
>
> Your plans sound great ;)
>
> Sue
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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