November 14, 2008
That’s a question I get often:
It does get chilly here in the winter a couple days out of the year. should I bring them in? And if so, at what temperature? If it goes below 45 or what?
And I thought it was great to read this article, after getting this question earlier this week …
The worst part about having chickens is the winter. “Going outside at minus 30 degrees, managing food and water, it sucks,” says Brazelton. “The chickens handle it well, but I don’t.”
Check out this great article, that talks about LOTS of different aspects of raising chickens … cold weather, feed, health, kids and poultry, etc. The photo is from the article: (Paul Brazelton’s Bantam rooster Stripes)
And so, the answer to this question is this …
Honestly, chickens are probably pretty good down to 20*F, and maybe even lower. It mostly depends on how their coop shelters them from the elements - not so much the coldness. You may also want to add a pretty good layer of bedding material on the floor (more than an inch of bedding), it will help with keeping some of the heat in.
Also, some chickens won’t even want to go outside when it’s that cold outside. They’ll just hang out inside, which could make for cramped conditions, so try and make the inside of the chicken house as big and spacious as possible. However, chickens have feathers, which are excellent at insulating their bodies - almost like down on a goose (not quite, but I think you get the idea that they stay warmer than us).
I hope that helps?
Kelson
P.S. Check this links For 5 Great Tips on Getting More Eggs from Your Hens in the Winter.
November 9, 2008
I stumbled across this neat, poetic story about how you can keep your chickens happy. It also talks about what happens if you don’t.
It looks rather lengthy, but once you get started … the reading goes quickly. And it’s a cool story with a warning for all of us chicken raisers.
“Bug! Bug!” cries the brain. Rasp and tassle go the feet, as the chicken lunges, pecks and misses. Quick runs the bug, yet quicker still the hungry hen. The chase is on, one gizzard’s growling, and with a desperate lunge the chicken tries to end it all.
The moral … Keep your chickens at home.
All the best,
Kelson
November 4, 2008
This is a great article, that talks about a budding development in restaurant markets. Chefs, like John Besh The New Orleans Chef, are starting to focus on and work with local farmers.
Why?
“With the price of fuel, the local farmer is a more economical choice,” Besh says. “We’re not paying exorbitant shipping costs. Spending more on a smaller farm is cheaper than buying bulk produce that’s been shipped across the country.”
PLUS …
“I know how he cares for it, what he does. I know he’s not pouring bleach or boric acid on the plants to keep the bugs away. I trust him to produce a product that’s clean and without
chemicals.”
Check out this interesting article about this new development of chefs teaming up with local farmers.
Kelson
- From Collection of John Besh
November 1, 2008
Last time - I started out with a couple of thoughts on picking the best winter, egg-laying chicken breed.
Today, I’ll finish that up with just a couple of quick comments:
In the Asiatic class of chickens … some strains of Light Brahmas, and a few strains of the old style Buff Cochins will let you get pretty good returns on your winter eggs. However, these heavier birds are seldom, if ever, found on production egg farms.
So they’re usually relied on where small flocks must be kept in closely confined spaces, like in a small backyard, or town lot (which is where MANY of us are doing our chickens raising - I might add).
Another important note about this … usually they are considered heavier feeders in proportion to the output of eggs they put out – especially in comparison to the American or Mediterranean classes of birds.
All the best,
Kelson
P.S. for more information about getting as many winter eggs from your flock as you can - you might take a look at this Winter Eggs Report.
