I have seven chickens now. They are all retired and seem to be enjoying it. There are six hens and one hen recently turned rooster. They are happy for the most part, but winter is a challenge. The flock is pretty old and they feel the cold more. My Moppsie most of all right now. She lost her close buddy Floppsie last year and it’s been hard for her. They were so named because they both had combs that flopped over.
I can tell when my girls are struggling in the winter. I have a little spot that I keep warm with an 85-watt flood lamp. It gives off heat but not enough to start feathers on fire. The area is small and holds the heat fairly well. Any girl that hangs out in there is having trouble, though cold sensitivity is not unexpected. I only really worry when they stop bopping each other on the head. If they still have some sass in them, they are doing okay.
The coop is insulated and I use heat lamps and a water bucket heater in the winter. I also add 8 straw bails to increase the insulation and to make the area smaller. The lower heated area helps when we get the really cold temps, as I’ve said before we have seen 50 below on the thermometer.
I am forever amazed at how animals survive winter at all. Deer and birds, foxes and squirrels, it is beyond my understanding, but they do it. Of course I worry terribly about all our critters. I’m told I baby my beasties. It’s kind of my job though, who else is going to love them, and hold them, and make them fat and sassy.
May you always have the strength and the desire to bop someone on the head.
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