Chickens and the Snow.

Thanks Tim, very useful, I would also mention that it is very important to keep the hen houses clean and dry in this weather. Bedding will get wet quickly especially when the birds bring in snow from their feet. Alot of breeders put a cover over the henhouse entrance with sand on the floor, the hens walk over the sand and it helps dry their feet before going into the house to roost at night.

Regards Sue
 
Hello Tim from the Great White North (Canada)
So sorry to hear that Europe and the U.K. is experiencing a Canadian winter.
Please ask your members to check into a couple of Canadian forums for tips on dealing with the freezing temperatures and snow, with respect to their chicken flocks.

http://poultryswap.21.forumer.com/index.php

http://www.punbb-hosting.com/forums/Albertachickensetc/index.php

Just type words like "cold temperatures" or "snow storms" into the search engine to find relevant posts.
Good Luck with your birds!
 
Hello Hobbychicken,

I did that but the first site seems to be a swap site and I didn't get that many posts returned from my searches and the ones that were returned didn't give any suggestions, there were more 'passing comments' like "Have you got any snow up there?" and so on... perhaps I'm doing this wrong but I searched for the search terms you suggested in the search box top right.

The second link, I'm still searching for the search box? Any clues?

Tim
 
Hi Tim
The search feature for the Alberta site is on the top blue bar - 4th item from the left. It might be easier if I ask the folks on those sites to log into yours with their helpful hints.

Sorry Tim - I just realized that the search feature only shows once a member is logged on. Please see my later post.
 
Tim another good tip deals with roosts.

Use a 2x4 with the four inch side placed flat. That way when a bird settles in for the night it will cover it's feet with it's feathering and prevent frozen toes. It will also help prevent bumblefoot that a round roost can cause.

Oh and one more thing, if you use a heat lamp tie it up with chain and secure it very well. Here in the US many use a lamp that clamps on to objects and these can fall and cause a fire.
 
Hi Tim
I found this forum string on some inexpensive ways to keep chicken waterers frost free.

http://www.punbb-hosting.com/forums/Albertachickensetc/viewtopic.php?id=5996

Here's a string on using snow as insulation material around your hen house.

http://www.punbb-hosting.com/forums/Albertachickensetc/viewtopic.php?id=5960

This one is on winter coats for naked birds

http://www.punbb-hosting.com/forums/Albertachickensetc/viewtopic.php?id=5741

This one on using small square bales of straw for insulation.

http://www.punbb-hosting.com/forums/Albertachickensetc/viewtopic.php?id=5816

This one is on winterizing a chicken coop and ventilation.

http://www.punbb-hosting.com/forums/Albertachickensetc/viewtopic.php?id=5820

Good luck with your flocks!
 
Thanks Hobbychicken, will investigate the posts.

NNbreeder, that's a great idea with covering toes. I've never seen frozen toes over here but the weather we're getting over here at the moment is particularly bad for us. It has been as low as -22 in one place in Scotland but even some southern parts of the UK have been getting -10 and even -15 on one night.
 
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