Single hen

[Minnie the Moocher]

OK, obviously they do sometimes, but what I wonder is do mine get cold overnight inside a large shed?

 

In the weeks to come we will have the odd sub-zero temperature and I can imagine an Eglu is pretty cosy in cold weather, but mine have lots of air around them that is not heated.

 

Am I nuts to even wonder about it?

[Guest]

providing their accomodation is draught free and waterproof, I'm sure they'll be fine. Maybe provide them with a deep bed of straw to snuggle into. They will probably cuddle together too if they feel cold.

[Snowy]

Chickens have a higher body temp than humans, so they are more tolerant of the cold than we are

[Egluntyne]

As long as there are now howling draughts they should be fine.

 

They will huddle together anyway.

[Minnie the Moocher]

Thanks everyone. Feel reassured as I know they are certainly not in a draught.

 

I looked in on them the other night and there they were, all six of them squeezed to one end of the perch. My least-friendly bird had her wings over both neighbours. Sweet! I must admit I saw her in a new light after that.

 

If I were a chook I would definitely not want to be on the outside of the huddle on the perch...

[Old Speckled Hen]

Wild chooks without their wings clipped roost in trees and huddle.

Inside your shed yours will SQUEEZE together and keep toasty warm

[Sandychick]

If I were a chook I would definitely not want to be on the outside of the huddle on the perch...

 

Maybe they all swap around during the night - like penguins do

[redfrock]

If I were a chook I would definitely not want to be on the outside of the huddle on the perch...

 

Maybe they all swap around during the night - like penguins do

 

that is not as daft a suggestion as you might think! They do actually shuffle around during the night. We know this from when we checked them a few times in the same evening - can't remember why!