tomdeane Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Hi there, The weather in my area is meant to be -2 degrees c for the next few nights... and I have noticed in the day time (its currently 5 degrees c) my 2 chickens just spend all day in the house and hardly venture outside unless I go out. Is this because they are cold? Is there anything I should do with them when it is this cold? They are only about 9 weeks old so not fully grown yet. Thanks, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Hmm, at that age, they really shouldn't be outside yet in this cold weather. Personally, I'd have them under a heat lamp to keep them warm, or indoors at night at the very least. It's too cold at this time of year to have young 'uns outdoors; if they don't have a mkum to snuggle under, they will need some heat to keep them warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomdeane Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 sorry... i just read my post again and i missed the 1 off... they are 19 weeks old not 9. lol. thanks, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Thanks for explaining that. Then they'd be fine in the cold weather Tom. Has something scared them and caused them to retreat into the eglu? They won't be laying yet, so I'd be tempted to entice them out with a treat and then shut the eglu door for a while so that they get used to the run. Generally speaking, chooks become more biddable when they start to lay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomdeane Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 I dont think anything has made them scared... maybe in the night? but no signs of foxes in the garden. they have been very scared ever since we have got them (they have been here about a week now) we leave the run door open all day as we are around all day and can keep an eye on them. But they never come out of their run unless we are in the garden... otherwise they huddle together in the corner and dont move much... occasionally venturing out to get some food & water.... unless they can see us through the french doors then they will come out into the garden... weird... is this normal? maybe they were very scared on the farm they were on before I got them? what should I do? they dont seem to be getting much more confident? Thanks, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 they are probably still settling in. You will see a marked difference once they start laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 How long have you had them Tom? It's unusual for any shyness to continue past a couple of days. I wonder why they seemed shy at the farm you got them from; that would seem to be the reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomdeane Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 i have had them 1 1/2 weeks now... at the farm they seemed a bit shy around people... all going into their house... but they seem to do the opposite in my run, they come into the garden when we are out there and peck around us... but when we go inside they go back into their run and just stand still. If they are in the garden when we are in the house they will be happily pecking around and then one of them will suddenly run (flapping) into the run (for cover) but there is nothing happening, no birds around or other animals or noises? is this normal? But today they just stayed in their house nearly all day, sitting in the nest in the straw... only coming down occasionally for a bit to eat and drink. Do you think it may be something to do with their laying soon? when should they start to lay do you think? they have been sitting in the nest fairly often recently. Is all of this normal behavior? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 I have to say that it's unusual Tom, most youngsters are pretty skittish before they lay and race around like maniacs I'm intrigued by their behaviour - did they have access to the outdoors when they were at the farm? I would be inclined to shut them out of the eglu for a while, make them wander around the run a bit. Perhaps put some corn and greens out there for them to peck at. When they are ready to lay, you will notice that their headgear gets redder and they will crouch when you approach, Laying is imminent when they are in and out of the nest box and eglu, usually making crooning noises. Sorry not to be much help, but it's hard to assess what is wrong when I can't see them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygal Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 I too have seen the forecast where its going to drop to minus 2-4 at night for the next while, so I had a look on the FAQ under cold weather- its very useful. I'm just off into the kitchen to make my girls some yummy porridge (I'm sure they would be ok anyway but I'll sleep easier knowing they have nice full tummys!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomdeane Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 well they sound ok from your remarks claret. They are racing around Their headgear is much redder today, was not really yesterday I will shut them out tomorrow, as its pretty late now and they usually go to bed about 5.30 they have been in and out of the house as you described they have been making lots of crooning noises today and yesterday i havent noticed the crouching. im so excited they may be about to lay... i am less worried about them now as they are pretty much behaving how you described. but i think they are still settling into the house and run as they dont seem to have the routine sorted yet ... i leave the house door open all night. open run about 9.30am, top up their water and food if needed give them treat about 4pm (usually mixed corn - but they dont seem to eat the treat or pay much interest to it really, tried a sweet-corn and they didn't even look at it) shut the run at about 5.30 when they go inside their house. and thats their routine. (sound ok?) they did have access to the outdoors at the farm (but the farm was pretty shabby and run down, even though its on the Omlet wiki list of breeders, it was basically a caravan and some run down sheds and some fields... so i wouldn't be surprised if the fox had lurked around and had a go at the chickens at some point. Thanks for all your help, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomdeane Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 p.s crazygal where is this FAQ section that you speak of... where do I find it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 they did have access to the outdoors at the farm (but the farm was pretty shabby and run down, even though its on the Omlet wiki list of breeders, it was basically a caravan and some run down sheds and some fields... I think you should let Omlet know about this Tom. Your hens just sound a bit uncertain to me. it sounds like you are doing everything possible. I'm amazed they aren't bothered about sweetcorn. Mine absolutely love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Hmmm, it's a tough call - my suspicion is that they may have been startled by something at the farm you go them from, perhaps a dog or farm cat had a go at scattering them. See how they go over the next couple of weeks, get used to handling them by taking them out of the eglu when they are dozy in the evening and give them a good cuddle. Try to get them to hand-feed; whistle (or make the same noise) each time you give them corn for a treat and then they will come when you make that noise and will be more biddable and easier to get in at night. I hope that they settle down soon and start laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomdeane Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 found the FAQ... i think i will give it another few days and if not then I will give Omlet a ring or post again... but I am sure they will be ok in their own time... lol... i hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Whereabouts are you located Tom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomdeane Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 in Chichester, West Sussex. So what aspects of their behavior seem worrying then? as they seem to be doing most of the things that you said they should. I just gave them some uncooked Broccoli this afternoon as their treat, but they just pecked at it a bit and moved it about the run... then left it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky1 Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 I am off outside to vaseline the earlobes and headcombs - to stop any frostbite. What an exciting life we lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygal Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 well I've given them their porridge which they devoured, but haven't put vaseline on their combs and they are now tucked up in their eglu- I don't want to disturb them now (and the door is closed for them too) What does frostbite look like on their combs anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky1 Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Apparently they get white, dry bits on the ends. The vaseline should prevent this and keep the darlings a bit warmer. I see it like when people swim the channel and rub themselves in fat - if you get my drift ? I have just returned inside - having done this (not swimming the channel) vaselineing the girls. One of them I had to pick up and its wing broke free and has given me a black-eye !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 You only need to worry about frostbitten combs if the temperature is likely to drop to around minus 10 degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygal Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 phew that should be ok then- not likely to hit minus 10 down here. Oh dear CLucky1 hope your eye's not too bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 So what aspects of their behavior seem worrying then? as they seem to be doing most of the things that you said they should. I was initially concerned by this comment in your first post: my 2 chickens just spend all day in the house and hardly venture outside unless I go out. You seemed worried that they are timid and not venturing out of their eglu. But as you've now said that they are running around, that is no longer a concern, but you still seem to think that they are timid and nervous of being outside... I have never come across this behaviour before. Even quite young newbies have always been happy to come out into the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomdeane Posted February 16, 2008 Author Share Posted February 16, 2008 thanks claret. They only seem to run around and go out if I go outside... then then run out of the house flapping... then I go inside and they run back into the house flapping... I leave the door to the run open all day, but they only come out if Im outside. Today they seem to have been in their house all day, occasionally venturing out for some food and water (not very much tho) then going back into the house... could this be cos they are about to start laying soon? They seem happy though... making noises and pecking at things. They still dont seem to really notice their treats. I gave them broccoli yesterday and its still all there today. I gave them some mixed corn just now... but so far hey havent even noticed that... but it seems to all go before they go to bed, maybe they just dont like broccoli or sweetcorn? I feel mean locking them out of their house, especially if they will lay soon... should I lock them out ,and out of the run, so that they get use to being in my garden? and just put their food and water in the garden tomorrow? If you think this is a good idea, how many days should I do it for... as they dont venture out on their own ever... unless I am in the garden doing something. Like I said before I have only had them 1 1/2 weeks, so maybe they are still settling in... i would dread to think that Im doing something wrong which is making them like this? Thanks, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 I'd be tempted to do it for an hour at a time - shut the eglu door, but leave them confined to the run. See how you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
