Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Winterizing for My Girls

      chicken run 004 

It got so cold Monday night, I found an inch of ice on the girl’s water bucket!  It was the first night I placed a heat lamp in the Chicken Mansion.  So when the sun came out yesterday, the girls loved doing their walkabout, while I worked on their run. 

       chicken run 001 (2)  My dear friend, Lori, provided some slightly used metal siding, so I promptly made a little shelter for the girls.  (Thanks so much, Lori!) We get a lot of snow here in the winter, so I added the wall and small roof area, so the girls can still roam around outside. They will have a little protection from the severe cold winter winds too.  After all, my girls deserve the best….right?  LOVE THOSE EGGS!

            chicken run 001 

I also noticed a large gap under their exterior door, so I found some door stop material and cut a piece to keep the cold air out.  (It’s that little white piece on the stoop.)

           chicken run 003 

I just can’t tell you how much I enjoy having chickens….. Are they a lot of work?  Yes, and no.  Yes, to getting everything set up (if you’re building it), no, to the daily maintenance.  However, check with me when I have to go out there this winter!  I may have a change of attitude!  It gets well below freezing here and with a wind chill factor….well, you just don’t want to be around here….to hear me whine! 

 

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12 comments:

  1. JunebugOctober 26, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    I was feeling sorry for my girls this morning and it was only 34 degrees. This weekend is my time to winterize. Oh yes, they get a heat light all winter long and I'm not as cold as you. Love those girls!

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  2. DawnOctober 26, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    I love how you care for them. I just winterized for my stray cat, Harvard. He has a perfect white mustache. New follower, nice to meet you. Dawn Suitcase Vignettes xo

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  3. JoaniOctober 26, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    I hope that will be enough to keep them warm for the winter. Love reading about the hens. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.

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  4. Jayme Goffin, The Coop KeeperOctober 26, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    Yesterday would have been the PERFECT day for me to winterize the coop - but I missed the window of opportunity. Busy cleaning and doing laundry after my trip. Ah well - I'm sure there'll be another nice day or two - I love chickens and even though winter care is 'challenging' I'm happy to do it. They just seem so bored in the winter!

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  5. KrisOctober 26, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    Your girls look great. Mine are just now getting all filled out with combs and wattles. How often do you give the coop a cleaning? I clean mine once a week. Changing out the hay on the floor and on platforms. I change water daily, and do a pick up of doodies off the floor daily as well. I feel a scoop of mash with one handful of scratch in the morning, then more in afternoon. They graze free range every afternoon for a couple of hours too.

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  6. LoriOctober 26, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Here I emailed you this morn before looking on your blog! I see what a great job you did for the girls! You are surely welcome. Hope a storm won't be too hard on those thin sheets. The girls are so beautiful with their fall and winter colors!

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  7. BarbOctober 26, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    If the girls aint happy, momma aint happy!!

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  8. DoloresOctober 26, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    I'd never make it in cold country. I'm such sissy when it comes to cold weather.

    Your girls are beautiful!

    We're suppose to have a cold day tomorrow....in the 40's....I've prepared a place for our outside kitty, so she'll be warm. I always worry about outside animals in the winter....you're a good mama to your girls.

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  9. Bee Haven BevOctober 26, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    You are such a good chicken Mama!! I bought heated buckets at our local feed store or Tractor supply for wintertime use....beats breaking the ice every morning.

    Hugs,
    Bev

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  10. KatmomOctober 26, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    so is that "whine" or "wine"??? lol!
    hugz
    >^..^<

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  11. Linda @ Itsy Bits And PiecesOctober 26, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    I would love to have chickens, if I lived more in the country...I'll live vicariously through you! Thanks for stopping by and following my blog...I am a new follower, too!

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  12. UnknownOctober 29, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    I want chickens but he says no!

    ReplyDelete

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