What are some things I need to know to be sure my backyard chickens make it through our COLD Maine Winter?
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Update on backyard chickens at houndsinthekitchen.com/2010/03/15/update-on-the-girls/
Question by Dave M: What are some things I need to know to be sure my backyard chickens make it through our COLD Maine Winter?
It gets really cold in Maine in the winter. Usually no colder than 15 below zero for a couple weeks in February. With the wind chill, though it can reach close to 30 below zero. We usually also get a few feet of snow. This is my first year raising chickens in my backyard and I just want to be sure they’re well cared for.
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2 Responses to What are some things I need to know to be sure my backyard chickens make it through our COLD Maine Winter?
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I would talk to local farmers to find out what they do, but your chickens will need safe warm housing, water that will not freeze over and you will need a way to get out to them every day to feed.
They will also need full spectrum lighting to make sure they get all the vitamins they would get from the sun if they could be outside.
Full spectrum light bulbs in many forms can be purchased from Drs Foster and Smith online.
Christie D
July 29, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Your chickens will be fine. Just make sure they have plenty of clean bedding and perches to get them up off the ground when they choose to. Also, the addition of a low lamp to provide some heat towards dusk helps to keep them warm as well as increases egg production in winter months. Don’t you just LOVE chickens? I do. I have 4 family friendly R.I. Reds, I call them “the girls”.
professor grey
July 29, 2011 at 5:56 pm