Homesteading Chicken Coop Build, Chickens, Pond, Garden & Projects

Something we'll get some eventually me thinks! I need to find a good south facing spot for them.

How much cold can they handle? I need to go back to researching, I know they are pretty hearty at least out of the wind.

 

Almost down to last light, I go out to close up the coop for the night, a few girls still free ranging outside. As I head back to the deck there's a fisher cat snooping around, luckily I came outside, otherwise I'd be short a couple chickens. It darted into the woods, so I hung around with the .22 until the last of the girls went in. I locked them up and put out a trap, to relocate, otherwise they'll have to stay in tomorrow. Hopefully some salted apples are enough to get it by morning. Fingers crossed.....

 

I've got additional lights since you've been here. But answer me this.... if your really hungry and you see a chicken joint open with it lights on, would you go in?

 

Now that might work! The chicken dance! I haven't seen the Fisher, but the weather is nasty. Unless we get a warm front that melts this snow, the girls might be "cooped" up in their run from here on out until spring.

 

No, not at the moment. But sometimes these girls get broody,(mainly spring & summer) move the eggs 8feet from the nesting boxes into another area and just sit on them. I won't allow it until it warms up a bit. The second I put food out boom.... off the nest. Any hopes for chicks in this weather would be gone. A broody hen will leave the clutch once a day I've read to eat drink & poo.

 

Girls not letting me get my work done. They've taken over the bucket and underneath! Hmmm, maybe they're trying to help?

 

Thanks! A great group of folks picked em out! Sneaky ones at that!

 

We certainly enjoy watching the flock! They have their own quirky ways about them.

The main culprit for egg reduction is shorter days. There are many folks whom turn on lights to mimic a longer day, but we don't. Less egg production means putting that energy toward surviving winter better. This winter hasn't been to bad. Looking forward to spring.

 

A snow shovel works wonders for that.