tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861015052975520671.post6563148028974805225..comments2023-07-26T10:51:33.416-04:00Comments on Hoosier Country Home: Well it Worked, Anyway.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08343134852881572900noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861015052975520671.post-13013882900470203592015-03-15T16:48:58.389-04:002015-03-15T16:48:58.389-04:00We were a little hesitant going into winter too, w...We were a little hesitant going into winter too, wondering how the birds would do. It turns out they did fine even in the very cold weather. We learned they go through a lot of feed on cold days - We expected that. We also learned they drank a LOT of water, which we didn't expect.<br /><br />There's nothing like having to get your birds through the winter to get you motivated to do what it takes to get your birds through the winter.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08343134852881572900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861015052975520671.post-30141337507418801272015-03-05T15:50:07.912-05:002015-03-05T15:50:07.912-05:00I am so glad we didn't attempt chickens this f...I am so glad we didn't attempt chickens this fall! I would have had the same problem as you. But I will remember the hay for future references! Hope this white stuff melts soon! I am sure the chickens do to!Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12553830133186504486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861015052975520671.post-63105220857251434852015-02-22T14:06:33.158-05:002015-02-22T14:06:33.158-05:00Sue - You know it! The thought of her taking a tu...Sue - You know it! The thought of her taking a tumble in the morning when there's no one around but the dog and the chickens is not appealing to either of us, so getting it safe make everyone happy.<br /><br />Mama Pea - I may have to look into the sun heated solarium idea for next winter. It sounds like a great way to get the birds a little sun and a way to spread out a bit even when the weather is cold and snowy. I'm going to be interested in seeing what we end up with when we clean our coop this spring. We've used a sort of deep bedding method, but our primary bedding is wood chips. Not sure what we'll end up with up.<br /><br />Leigh - Thanks! "Even a blind hog...", as the saying goes. When I went down to check on everyone early this afternoon they were still enjoying being out in the hay and just acting like chickens. One of them had snuggled in under the step all nestled in hay with just her head poking out. I'll get that pic up in a bit.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08343134852881572900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861015052975520671.post-58945331534473604412015-02-22T10:53:01.518-05:002015-02-22T10:53:01.518-05:00Great post, Mark, and wonderful solution. Now, onc...Great post, Mark, and wonderful solution. Now, once you get your goats, you can simply use the hay that the goats waste. It will have the added bonus of goat berries, which chickens love to peck through. There is never truly waste on the homestead!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861015052975520671.post-9211120763492729662015-02-22T09:15:21.004-05:002015-02-22T09:15:21.004-05:00We have a slightly sloping path down to the chicke...We have a slightly sloping path down to the chicken house. (No, not the best terrain to have to navigate in the winter.) Our chickens don't like snow and refuse to venture out on it. Of course, they do have their (sun) heated solarium(!) so they spend their days in there for the most part. But we have put straw on the path going to the chicken house so we don't slip.<br /><br />Your idea of sprinkling sunflower seeds in the area covered in hay around your chicken house is a good one. Daily we toss scratch feed (whole grains) onto the floor of the solarium (which is covered with straw, more added now and then) and the chickens search for the scratch while at the same time keeping the material loose. I think this is called the deep bedding method sometimes. When the solarium gets cleaned out in the spring, it's remarkable the fine compost the chickens have made.Mama Peahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649357184167949247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-861015052975520671.post-89345363823400855562015-02-22T05:55:32.069-05:002015-02-22T05:55:32.069-05:00As all wise men know--HAPPY WIFE is THEEEE most im...As all wise men know--HAPPY WIFE is THEEEE most important thing.<br />Good job!<br />I think 10 bales of hay is worth a happy wife.!Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10122524042294993949noreply@blogger.com