Feeding advice for bantams (one broody, one moulting)

[Guest]

hi, I just wondered if anyone knows of any product for popping under a chicken's nesting material that would hold heat for longer than a hot water bottle but hopefully doesn't cost a fortune.

 

thanks

[Christian]

A microwaveable wheat pillow?

[Guest]

A microwaveable wheat pillow?

 

does that question mark mean you're not sure?

 

does anyone own anything that they know definitely holds the heat longer than a HWB?

 

I assume those gell filled things wouldn't be a good idea, in case they chew them but I'm not sure what else is available and if there is anything better than a HWB.

[xScrunchee]

I have no idea but the only thing that puts me off of putting something nice and warm in the Eglu for them to sit on is that maybe the heat under them could perhaps make them go broody??

 

I was wondering about this because you are supposed to dunk a broody hen in cold water or put ice blocks in the nest to cool her down so that she snaps out of it so would heating her under carriage have the reverse effect??

[chickenlass]

When I ran my cattery I used these

http://www.snugglesafe.co.uk/

microwaveable pads in conjunction with electric heaters. The do get pretty warm and hold the heat well. I wonder if they would be OK if they didn't come into direct contact with straw or anything.

 

I have got some here still Poet. If you would like to give one a go I could mail it to you if you would pay the postage [they are quite heavy],

If you would like one pm me your address and I'll get one out to you as soon as I can.

[Guest]

i was just googling those wheat pillows as they would be a lot safer for Bea than a hottie I think and probably more comfortable but those snugglesafe things say they hold heat for up to 10 hours, wow!

 

They seem ideal, will PM you, thank you

[Guest]

I have no idea but the only thing that puts me off of putting something nice and warm in the Eglu for them to sit on is that maybe the heat under them could perhaps make them go broody??

 

I was wondering about this because you are supposed to dunk a broody hen in cold water or put ice blocks in the nest to cool her down so that she snaps out of it so would heating her under carriage have the reverse effect??

 

she's not laying so will she still go broody?

 

It's only til this cold snap is over as she's got achey joints, I'll just have to risk it,

[Christian]

A microwaveable wheat pillow?

 

does that question mark mean you're not sure?

 

does anyone own anything that they know definitely holds the heat longer than a HWB?.

 

*back from the lab*

 

According to my research, the wheat pillow holds the heat for 1 hour and 11 minutes longer than the hot water bottle.

 

*takes off lab coat and scientist glasses, puts away clip board*

[Egluntyne]

So there is little point using either then as they won't keep her warm all night.

 

Very kind of you to spare the time to do that bit of research Christian, as the forum is so busy. Fascinating stuff.

 

The Snugglesafe, which is designed specifically for pets and is peck proof sounds as if it is the best option.

 

Reasonably priced and they last for a long time.

 

Someone on the forum, I think it is Emma (Theherd123) swears by them.

 

[Guest]

Even if it doesn't stay warm all night, I think it will help a little bit, it warms the air in the coop and the bedding around her and her legs and the heat will fade gradually by which time she will hopefully be asleep.

 

I see it akin to our central heating going off at night, by which time we're snuggled under the duvet and the house cools down gradually.

 

I'd still rather she had her hottie until we get the snugglesafe pad that chickenlass has so very kindly offered to send us, thank you so much for that chickenlass, Bea will be thrilled!

[Guest]

Very kind of you to spare the time to do that bit of research Christian, as the forum is so busy. Fascinating stuff.

 

 

thanks Christian,

[smudgley]

Defiaitely a snugglesafe - they are fantastic.

Use them in my cat pens all the time. They hold the heat for 12 hours. Briliant & reasonably priced too.

[kiwichick]

Poet, I'm sorry to read that Bea is doing poorly.

I'm not sure what a snugglesafe is (sounds cozy though) but sports shops sell chemical heating pads for skiers and the like that can be worn in side gloves, boots, pockets etc. They are supposed to last about 6 hours and could work for you in a pinch.

 

Good luck getting her back on her feet.

[bronze]

Maybe th ebetter bet would be to cover the house with something to help keep the heat in

[Guest]

i've just popped a fresh hottie under her bedding but I've also asked Ian to bring a couple of packing blankets home. He works for a furniture manufacturer and they use grey, sort of fleece like blanket things to wrap pieces of furniture in sometimes. I've asked him to bring a couple home to drape over her coop for tonight too.

 

She'll be in bed with us next!

 

Anyway, it's cold out there and she's on her own, she used to share a stable with a couple of donkeys and their body heat would have kept her warm so I don't want her to get cold.

[Tessa the Duchess]

She'll be in bed with us next!

 

The way you fuss over your chickens Poet, that wouldn't surprise me at all

 

Tessa

[hillfamily]

 

She'll be in bed with us next!

 

 

and what better place for her Bea would be very happy there

 

we use a snugglesafe for the rabbit when it's very cold and have used them in the past for the chooks when there were only 2 in the eglu My vet and I both agreed they were ideal for poorly chooks as they can't burst, are peck proof and wipe clean

 

It is very cold tonight - even my Belle has tucked her head under her wing (something she only does when it's very cold)

[chelsea]

we've put hot water bottles with hot water bottle fleece covers on and then placed in carrier bags and placed in the poo tray in both eglus tonight.

 

Very cold here and even colder tomorrow apparently

[Guest]

i'm agonising about whether we should try moving her in with the others when DH gets home at around 10ish

 

don't want to disturb her but don't want her to get cold but then DH will have some blankets with him which we can drape over the coop and she does have a nice nest of shredded paper on top of a hottie on top of aubiose.

 

 

i really can't decide what's for the best, help!

[Christian]

Why don't you put her in a box and bring her in the house for tonight and tomorrow night? We have forecasts of -6 overnight.

[Guest]

i've agonised all possibilities and decided that as she's got a deep layer of shredded paper on top of a padded hottie, on top of aubiose and Ian is going to cover the coop with blankets shortly, that we will leave her where she is.

 

I don't want to disturb her so late and we don't really have a suitable place in the house to put her where she wouldn't get disturbed and we only have a plastic pet carrier which isn't much bigger than she is so she wouldn;t be able to move around.

 

thanks for all the advice though

 

xxx