How to raise Backyard Chickens: RE: [CHICKENS-101] Re: New to Chickens

I don’t know how many chickens you’ve got or nest boxes, but I just saw a article on keeping eggs from freezing by putting electric seedling mats in the nest boxes. Another idea is the handwarmers………the package you shake and it stays warm for 8-10 hours? I received a shipment of chicks once with handwarmers in it and that seemed like a great idea. Plenty of bedding will help keep it warm……..shredded newspapers or wood shavings.

Some didn’t agree with me, but I also used an old crock pot filled with water and set on low. It kept the water warm and that helps warm them, too.

I was complaining last week about our unseasonably warm weather and the havoc it has wreaked on my alpacas with parasites. Warm and rainy breeds disaster.

Then, this week have been feeling sorry for us ……….it’s dipped to below freezing at night and the daytime was windy and cold……..but NOTHING compared to what you are describing. Good luck. Hope you and your chooks get some reprieve.

Laura

Laura Roberts

R Half Pint Farm

Spotsylvania, VA

From: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of alaskachickenfarmer
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 3:20 AM
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Re: New to Chickens - Housing Question

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

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