Lizzie Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Hi I just wondered what other chook owners were doing with regards to the cold weather ? We have been really worried about our ex batts, particularly as they still have areas without feathers. We have a cube for our girls and put some hay into their roosting area which they seem to like, and also a smallish bowl of water due to the short days and long nights. We put a couple of thin blankets over the cube (without blocking vents) to try and help keep them warmer, especially over the last few nights. There is a tarpaulin covering 3/4 of their run which seems to protect the ground from frost and we have put a couple of branches in there so that they can keep off the cold grass if they want. They have some porridge before they go to bed, but is there anything else we should / could be doing ? They don't seem keen to have vaseline put on their combs, but if its important, we will continue. If anybody has any other advice / ideas, it would be great to hear from you. Thank you ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Sounds as if you have made good provision for the cold weather. The cube is well insulated, so they should be fine. One little note of caution.....hay is not a good idea I'm afraid. It can harbour parasites and is often the cause of impacted crops in chickens. I would swap to Aubiose or Hemcore, both of which compost easily and are pleasant to use. This current thread may be of interest. **Click**. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKH Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 i just bought a hot water bottle yesterday i was worried about my little bald girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKH Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Hi Egluntine Is Straw bad for them too ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 It can be...for the same reasons. I never use it with my hens, although many do. Someone recently posted about their hen dying from an impacted crop which appeared to have been caused by the hen eating straw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKH Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 thanks i've got the Auboise stuff which i use in the run - i'll change it straight away i haven't noticed them eating it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Hennie Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Last Christmas one of our recently acquired ex-batts decided to moult what feathers she had land looked very unwell and cold. Glad to say, Lottie is still with us and is moulting yet again I do put a little vaseline on their combs as they are large and vunerable to frost bite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 We collected our ex-batts last December and poor Bauble was really bald. I kept them in the conservatory at night for a few mights and then they went into a run inside the polytunnel during the worst of the weather. This was mainly due to the fact that my other cube had been delayed though. They should be fine in the cube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daj198 Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 Corn keeps them warm. Although don't give them too much as ex-batts, due to their age and the fact that they have been forced to lay so much, often lay soft eggs. A little corn before bed should keep them nice and warm though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cazjohn Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I spent ages worrying about this with my first Ex- Batts! But they do all sleep together and if you pick up a chicken on a really cold morning they are as warm as toast! These days I only worry about the cold if they are poorly and then they get a hot water bottle or an executive room in the hospital wing of the heated shed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 i am a saddo who like to "know" things & I have a thermometer that tells you what the temp is outside on the sensor as well as in side. Would you believe that my least featered ex bat on her nest was reading 21 degrees!!!!!! she had her pal roosting over the top of her too.(in an Eglu! I was astounded She is not on that nest tonight & it is reading 12 in there. The other night when it wa flippin freezin. it read 7 in there the lowest was 5 I& that was between the nest boxes (I put more in there for them) (and a big roosting bar!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
