Glad I could save you the grief of a coop fire. I have never experienced one but have talked to those who have and it's heartbreaking. So much has changed in the world of keeping chickens. The Brooder lamps of yester year have been replaced with radiant heat plates and other technologies that remove the threat of coop fires from heat lamps. So glad I could help. Enjoy your flock.
Appreciate not just the winter prep, but also the ideas for entertaining the flock during the winter months! Thanks for taking the time to document your winter strategy.
Well done! A great review for keeping your flock happy and healthy through winters.... Nice bonus to include the recipe for home made flock block! Homemade treat dispenser (aka recycled plastic bottles), repurposed suet cages and providing dust bath areas go a long way to keep chickens active and stimulated when the ground is covered in snow and ice. I like to add some thick branches or tree stump in the run to provide additional ‘entertainment’.
My chickens love the seed block thingies, but we don't like to get them because they contain soy. I will make sure to use the recipe, thanks!
I agree, if the electricity goes out the chickens with heat lamps will freeze, and they are a fire hazard. Thanks for adding that to a article so others can prevent their chickens from freezing and becoming roast chicken.
These are all excellent tips - and the Flock Block recipe is top notch. A note on maintaining ventilation would move this article's rating to "Excellent." Most chicken-keepers already know about the ammonia and mold/mildew issues caused by inadequate ventilation, but not all realize the increased danger of frostbite.
Other than that note, this really is an excellent article ... and the pictures are great!
Thank you for reviewing my article. You brought up a great point in your comment. I will add to my article the necessity of ventilation and the dangers of frost bite.
What a well written article! It was thoroughly planned, laid out and written in an enjoyable way. Instead of just listing tips, she explains the "whys" of the tip, which causes you to stop and think for a moment. A great read!