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Barnyard Buddies:  keeping hens warm in cold winter months  |
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prairie_princess
True Blue Farmgirl
613 Posts
Elizabeth
Carpenter
WY
USA
613 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 4:23:13 PM
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our heat lamp bulb burned out a couple days ago in the coop. the hubby and i have wondered if there are other alternatives to keep the hens nice and warm in their coop... it seems they still got a bit of frostbite on their combs even with the heat lamp and we don't want it to get worse. plus, it's rough on the old electric bill using the lamps.
does anyone have any alternatives to keep the coop warm?i figure we have to get it done quick since another cold spell is moving in soon...
"Only two things that money can't buy, that's true love and homegrown tomatoes."
- Guy Clark
"The man who has planted a garden feels he has done something for the good of the world."
- Charles Dudley Warner |
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4HMom
True Blue Farmgirl
720 Posts
Kelly
Montana
720 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 4:55:48 PM
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Have you looked back at some posts on this topic from earlier in the fall? There are lots of good suggestions...I'd look back in the Barnyard Buddies.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jan 02 2010 : 6:35:10 PM
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Grease their combs, wattles and feet and legs with bag balm or something similar, pack straw bales around the outside of the coop, especially the prevaling wind side, put up sheets of heavy plastic on the inside or outside walls, make their floor extra deep with straw and/or shavings, inother words what ever you can to stop any drafts, and killer cold from coming in.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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misspittypat
True Blue Farmgirl
102 Posts
lila
osceola
mo
USA
102 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2010 : 10:13:45 AM
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be sure and give them warm water; not steaming hot; but warm; also give them warm mash which is chicken feed with vegetable peelings either cooked on the stove or with hot water poured on it.
Lila |
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prairie_princess
True Blue Farmgirl
613 Posts
Elizabeth
Carpenter
WY
USA
613 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2010 : 10:29:39 AM
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great tips, ladies! i'll definately look into some earlier posts....
"Only two things that money can't buy, that's true love and homegrown tomatoes."
- Guy Clark
"The man who has planted a garden feels he has done something for the good of the world."
- Charles Dudley Warner |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2010 : 12:49:19 PM
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I give my hens warm water and food during the cold months as well(and we are freezing here in georgia right now!) I also covered the window on the hen house with bubble wrap. It keeps out the drafts, is insulated and light can still get through it. Their house is definitely warmer, even at below 20 at night and the low 30's during the day. I bring the outside waterer inside at night to keep it from freezing and add warm water throughout the day to prevent the girls drinking ice cold water. I will say that they have stopped laying for right now, but as long as they are healthy and warm, I'm okay with that.
Good luck with your girls!
Karin
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
www.athreadofred.blogspot.com |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2010 : 03:15:44 AM
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Recently found out corn raises body temperature.
So you can add some of this to their daily ration
And bed down with lots of pine shavings |
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MotherLodeBeth
True Blue Farmgirl
110 Posts
Beth
Calaveras County
California
USA
110 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2010 : 8:07:19 PM
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We use bales of straw to insulate the chicken coop. And as long as the roost area is well insulated they will stay warm at night. Will be adding rigid insulation board between the walls of the new coop because it gets cold in winter and hot in summer here. I also make sure they have a hot meal in the morning and evening. In the morning I simply take some of the egg layer with cracked corn and add boiling water to it to make a hot cereal in a gallon bowl, and they come running when they see me. In the evening I give them buttermilk that I have heated up and then drink it up and seem to smile. I put a few dash's of hot sauce in salad greens and mix well and give as a treat and this warms them up as well. Have never lost a chicken in winter. Thankfully.
~Beth~
~MotherLodebeth- I was born in the wrong era~ |
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dixiecuz
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
patricia
cleveland
ga
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2010 : 5:52:06 PM
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| a regular 60 watt light bulb will work i use one with a clip on light |
Edited by - dixiecuz on Jan 30 2010 5:53:10 PM |
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5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2010 : 09:00:45 AM
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I use an electric dog bowl for their water in the winter. The water stays room temp. and faiirly clean. I add corn to their diet whe the temp falls into the low 20's.
Forget buns of steel, I'd rather have buns of cinnamon!
Farmgirl #680! |
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Old Spirit
True Blue Farmgirl
1498 Posts
Rae
MN
1498 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2010 : 10:31:18 AM
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We have a heat lamp and light plus our coop is well insulated. It gets pretty cold otherwise and we weren't getting eggs and they do need to earn their keep 
We have used a halogen bulb before for heat as well. I also heard the corn heats up he body when they are digesting.
Rae
Farm Girl #647
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31
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Barnyard Buddies: keeping hens warm in cold winter months |
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keeping hens warm in cold winter months
