The cool electronic indoor/outdoor thermometer Landlady gave me two years ago says it was down to 28 degrees when I rolled out. Scum of ice in the dog’s waterer. Had the stove all prepped, so I was toasty in a fairly reasonable time but I was interested as to how the chickens fared. Hey, they’re holding up their end of the bargain…
So the least I can do is keep them healthy while they’re with me. And the truth is they didn’t need any intervention from Uncle Joel. They seem … well, as happy as they ever have. As time goes by we’ll see how chickens – maybe not these specific ones – get along when it gets really cold and stays that way.
Joel, I had chickens in Minnesota way back when. They were inside an uninsulated building (though with warm stuff on the floor and in their nesting boxes and a lamp for both for warmth and to encourage laying during the dark months. They seemed quite unbothered, though looking back I think I should have given them more warmies. The biggest problem is that when it gets very much below freezing, the eggs will crack open. So you might want to keep temps up for them to avoid that.
Yeah, I wonder how much heat is needed, and how much electricity it would take. I’ve got an obvious aversion to incandescent lights. A christmas light in each nesting box? Wouldn’t that keep them awake? Is that good? I’m not running an egg factory here, but I don’t want them going dormant half the year, either.
Much to learn.
Joel, to keep them laying, you don’t have to (and shouldn’t) light them all night. But giving them 18-hour days does the trick as far as that goes. Good insulation and their own body heat might be enough to prevent egg cracking in your climate, except in unusual conditions.
I’m going to be sending you a package soon. I’ll add a timer to it so you can give them a little extra light morning and evening without hassle. I’ve got a couple extra.