This winter has obviously been an extreme one for most of us, and we definitely haven't seen a colder winter here in Missouri since we got our first flock of chickens four years ago. The chickens and guineas are hanging in there and being good sports, but I can tell they are getting just a little bit tired of all this wintry weather - just like the humans are.
Last weekend we got some snow as you can see in the photo above, then a couple days later we got a lot of ice on top which has basically turned our world into a giant ice skating rink. The temperature this morning was only seven degrees, so the ice isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
The other day I was giggling at the guineas as they were slipping and sliding as they tried to walk across the run, then karma got me back as I found myself falling flat on my butt while trying to feed the chickens. I think the guineas laughed a little bit. Luckily I had tons of layers on so my fall was padded and didn't hurt!
Even in this tough winter, our young hens are amazingly still producing eggs for us. All season long we've been consistently getting between three and six eggs each day, so we have plenty of eggs for us and some to sell which helps with the feed cost.
For the most part everyone is still in good health, but Cam has developed frostbite on the tips of his comb and wattles because they are so large. And some of the chickens are sneezing and snotting a bit, but hopefully they will clear up when the weather turns a bit warmer.
It will eventually get warmer, right???
~Tammy
Shared with Maple Hill Hop
Same here. Cold. Snow. Ice. And we're under another weather advisory today. I truly feel bad for all the country critters. It is hard on them. You take such great care of your little ones! Spring has to be just around the corner!
ReplyDeleteI feel the days getting longer & the angle of the sun's rays changing more & more each day - our chickens, too, are dreaming of being SPRING CHICKENS!!! :)
ReplyDeletei'm hoping for warmer temps, too! maybe i need to figure out how to get my whistlers to lay eggs all through the winter that i can sell to offset scratch feed costs... :)
ReplyDeleteOh Tammy I think we are all hoping for warmer weather and yes it is going to come right? Poor Cam:( . Tex comment made me laughHug B
ReplyDeleteHope it gets warmer for you and the chickens soon. :)
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping! I don't mind snow, but ice is tough! Poor Cam - it must be tough on a rooster to have frost bite!
ReplyDeleteOh that karma will get ya every time won't it? :) happened to me once when I laughed at my cat Ruby when she tried to jump on the counter and missed. About an hour later, I tripped going UP the stair. She was looking at me. I am convinced she was laughing internally...
ReplyDeleteOh my, they must be really cold out there. As for the eggs, the life cycle goes on, whatever be the odds.
ReplyDeleteWe're all praying for warm weather! I don't think we'll miss this winter when it goes
ReplyDeleteKarma! Haha! I would have giggled too after first making sure you were okay (as I did when I read about it just now). :-) Sorry to hear about Cam's frostbite. Sometimes it can't be helped on those breeds with large combs and wattles. I hope it soon warms up enough to get rid of your ice.
ReplyDeleteWe were at minus 9 in NE Kansas yesterday morning, and we are hovering at plus 10 right now. My flocks have been in all week... ducks included (and they are not happy). I have found that VetRx will soon stop those sniffles.. be proactive, before it gets your whole flock! I have one starting to sniffle too, and he's getting some warm medicine this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteOh no on the frostbite! Will it affect him every winter like it does with humans? :(
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize they could get frostbite! Poor Cam! Hoping they thaw out soon! It has to get warmer soon, right?
ReplyDeleteLovely photos! I find it hard to get good photos as it seems to always be dark!
ReplyDeleteWe had a hen that got frostbite on her comb one winter. It sure is dragging on this year.
ReplyDeleteLove the last photo of the chicken sticking her head out of the opening. Hope things warm up for you real soon! We just got 4 inches of snow here in Portland yesterday, which is very unusual. But I'm lovin' it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you weren't hurt when you fell Tammy; love the pictures of the giggly (on the inside) guineas! My grandfather used to coat his rooster's comb and wattles with Vaseline when the temperatures dropped.
ReplyDeleteOh, poor Cam. Our rooster used to get frostbite too. Do you apply petroleum jelly? It helps prevent it if he'll let you. I can't tell you how many days I thought I would fall going to the coop. Last year I wiped out pretty good but not yet this year.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of the chicken :)
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend :)
Poor chicks! I am sure they are about as tired of the cold and snow as we are! It will get warm! (my fingers are crossed!)
ReplyDeleteHave you considered a little heater for the coops? You have to be careful as to what you use of course. I believe Staci @ Cobble Hill Farms has some kind of heater for the chicken coops. Sorry that rooster got frost-bit. I do suppose it will get warmer up there sooner or later—and a good deal too warm down here. We've had a grand total of a couple weeks of winter this winter. The weather is all wonky in the world these days; places that never had any extremes have them now out of the blue. One thing no one can control is natural occurrences like weather. Thank goodness. Humans mess everything else up, so imagine what they'd do if they controlled the weather. I asked a friend in Norway to send me some boxes with winter air in them to me: I suppose I could always send some warmer air up to you. The best is bringing it in the trunk of a car in big plastic bags: it stays fresher like that.
ReplyDeleteHope it warms up soon and you and your chicks feel better.. smile..
ReplyDeleteBlessings..
glad your feathered friends are hanging in there. I want warm weather, too. Your photos capture them so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you had enough layers to pad your fall! I am looking forward to you having warmer temps because that means I should see them shortly after you !
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they snuggle up at night and their feathers protect them well.
ReplyDeleteLove your photos! Try some vasoline on his comb to help with the frostbite. Hoping your chickens stay warm- that is great they are still laying!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for padding! :-) I'm right there with you about winter....we're tired of it too in Ohio. Fingers crossed for warmer weather sooner than later!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing you were bundled up! I think everyone is quite tired of winter about now. I keep dreaming of spring flowers. Your feathered friends must be dreaming of some juicy bugs. xo Karen
ReplyDeletemay it get well soon
ReplyDeleteThis weather is awful, I hope it warms up soon! It is great you are getting eggs every day! I hope Cam survives the frostbite. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteGoodness good you had all that padding on. Eggs that's good you wouldn't think it being so cold would you. Hoping it doesn't get any worse and it will warm up. Take care of yourselves. x
ReplyDeletethis winter is awful with the snow and the cold. I hope they get well and lay lots of eggs! :)
ReplyDeleteI too am beginning to wonder if it will ever warm :) For the past week our morning temps have been -20! It is frigid, my girls haven't seen the outside in over 2 months! They have been happy just staying in their coop :)
ReplyDeleteBummer you fell, I hope your not too sore! That is never a good thing. Take care.
Yes, winter is wearing on all of us. Glad your feathered friends are doing well.
ReplyDeleteI can't even count the times I've slipped over feeding my chooks, the one saving grace when it's cold is that it's not muddy!
ReplyDeleteJanie x
I didn't realize that hens still laid eggs in the winter. I suppose it makes sense, but somehow I always thought they took the winter off :)
ReplyDeleteOh, poor things! Sending you sunshine today!
ReplyDelete2 of my hens have frostbite on their comb tips too...this is my first winter with chickens and my pullets are hanging in their--if we make it through this winter in one piece, I don't think I'll ever stress out about winter again!
ReplyDelete*there (cold fingers make more mistakes:) )
DeleteOh wow, it looks SO cold! We're heading to New Mexico via Hawaii in a few weeks and it's going to be a big shock. I need to grow a set of feather like your chooks to keep warm!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you guys are having such a cold winter. It's amazing the chickens are still laying eggs. Beautiful pics as usual.
ReplyDeleteIt temps fall below zero, we turn on the infared lamp; no light, just the heat portion of the light spectrum. We got ours at the pet store, often used for reptiles, and made sure to get the ceramic variety. It was a lifesaver for the hens during the sub-zeros - and we got eggs, too!
ReplyDeleteStay warm, eat soup!
Poor Cam. Question-what is the comb for? And what will happen to the tips if they are frost bitten?
ReplyDelete:-( I am sorry to hear about Cam. And I pray all the others will be okay.
ReplyDeleteI do find it amazing they are still laying eggs. Such good sports in this weather.
Sending WARM WISHES to your Chickens. :-)
I always enjoy your Friday post. The stories you have about you chickens always make me smile. I do hope you get some warmer temps soon..
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Oh, I can so relate! Worst winter, and it feels like spring will never arrive around here :-(
ReplyDeleteYour chicken are beautiful, can't believe they are still give you eggs for that long. I purchase 3 new chickens from a friend 3 months ago and they are suppose to give XL double yolk eggs. Hope to find out soon.
ReplyDeleteMichael
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oh no poor cam! ouch...it will get warmer, it has to eventually right?!
ReplyDeletegood morning, tammy!
ReplyDeletepoor cam!
brrr...it does look so cold where you live.
indeed awful weather. i'm hoping for warmer temperatures, too.
have a great week ahead and stay warm!
big hugs~
Here's hoping it warms up quickly! I think everyone is 100% over this winter nonsense at this point :)
ReplyDeleteAnd ooh that karma! I'm glad to hear the chickens didn't take a shot at laughing at your slipping, haha.
Glad to hear you have still been getting eggs all winter. And it will end!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, Tammy --- keep warm!
ReplyDeleteOn my hands and knees everyday for some warm weather.
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ReplyDeleteHave you given the coops any thought as to a little heater? Naturally, you need to use caution while choosing what to utilize. I think Staci at Cobble Hill Farms has a heater of some sort for the hen houses. I apologize for the frost-bit rooster. I appreciate you giving your knowledge! Continue your fantastic effort! Keep sharing. I invite you to browse my website.
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