Well I wasn't sure how the chickens were going to handle the cold weather, but so far they seem to be just fine. I figure that as long as they continue to run around the yard like normal, have an appetite and are laying eggs, then they are fine.... at least I hope so.
Although when it snowed for the first time a couple weeks ago, they were quite unsure about venturing out of the coop. Once they realized it wasn't food or some sort of treat, they had little desire to partake. Although I don't blame them - I wasn't ready for snow in the middle of November (this picture was taken on November 12th - way too early for snow in Cincinnati!)
The temps have been quite chilly at night too. I have gone out to check on them and they just all huddle up on the roost and get as close together as possible. I would like to expand the coop with some more covered "indoor" areas for them to stay warm and dry.
I had them outside when it started to snow today and found them all under the bushes, trying to take cover. You can barely see them in this picture, but they are there.
Spooks of course was walking around in the snow flurries. I did put a heat lamp up on the run of the coop. I have turned it on just a couple of times to see how they react and they definitely don't go running towards the warmth. Much to my surprise they seem to stay away from it. I guess it's kind of like our bodies - if we go on vacation in the middle of winter and it is all of a sudden 90 degrees when we have been used to 30 degrees - it takes a while to adjust. So I haven't turned the light on very much. Also, from talking to some other chicken people I found out that if the heat lamp is too close to them or directly pointed at them, it can actually cause a dew to form while they are breathing and then once you turn the heat lamp off it can freeze and actually kill them if they can't breathe anymore. So don't want that to happen.
Also, another new addition is a sand box in the coop. This will allow them to dust/clean themselves during the winter when the ground and dirt are frozen. Normally they go under the bushes or in the mulch and bury themselves down to clean off their feathers, but once the ground freezes they won't be able to utilize the natural dirt. So I had to get a little plastic box and some play sand. I was hoping to find a green turtle sand box - like the kind kids play in - but the store employee informed me "It isn't exactly the season for sand boxes" Point taken. So I was the crazy lady looking for a sand box in November. oh well...
I would like to wish all of my faithful blog readers a very happy Thanksgiving. I hope you can share the day with loved ones and remember everything we have to be thankful for. This year I have quite a bit to be thankful for... My family, friends, husband, health, my many jobs and ever changing career, my dog and chickens, my ability to learn and grow, and I am thankful for everyone who reads this and finds my chicken adventure to be entertaining! Enjoy the day!
And remember, eat turkey - not chickens :) Peace, love and chickens.
Although when it snowed for the first time a couple weeks ago, they were quite unsure about venturing out of the coop. Once they realized it wasn't food or some sort of treat, they had little desire to partake. Although I don't blame them - I wasn't ready for snow in the middle of November (this picture was taken on November 12th - way too early for snow in Cincinnati!)
The temps have been quite chilly at night too. I have gone out to check on them and they just all huddle up on the roost and get as close together as possible. I would like to expand the coop with some more covered "indoor" areas for them to stay warm and dry.
I had them outside when it started to snow today and found them all under the bushes, trying to take cover. You can barely see them in this picture, but they are there.
Spooks of course was walking around in the snow flurries. I did put a heat lamp up on the run of the coop. I have turned it on just a couple of times to see how they react and they definitely don't go running towards the warmth. Much to my surprise they seem to stay away from it. I guess it's kind of like our bodies - if we go on vacation in the middle of winter and it is all of a sudden 90 degrees when we have been used to 30 degrees - it takes a while to adjust. So I haven't turned the light on very much. Also, from talking to some other chicken people I found out that if the heat lamp is too close to them or directly pointed at them, it can actually cause a dew to form while they are breathing and then once you turn the heat lamp off it can freeze and actually kill them if they can't breathe anymore. So don't want that to happen.
Also, another new addition is a sand box in the coop. This will allow them to dust/clean themselves during the winter when the ground and dirt are frozen. Normally they go under the bushes or in the mulch and bury themselves down to clean off their feathers, but once the ground freezes they won't be able to utilize the natural dirt. So I had to get a little plastic box and some play sand. I was hoping to find a green turtle sand box - like the kind kids play in - but the store employee informed me "It isn't exactly the season for sand boxes" Point taken. So I was the crazy lady looking for a sand box in November. oh well...
I would like to wish all of my faithful blog readers a very happy Thanksgiving. I hope you can share the day with loved ones and remember everything we have to be thankful for. This year I have quite a bit to be thankful for... My family, friends, husband, health, my many jobs and ever changing career, my dog and chickens, my ability to learn and grow, and I am thankful for everyone who reads this and finds my chicken adventure to be entertaining! Enjoy the day!
And remember, eat turkey - not chickens :) Peace, love and chickens.
