Bondinho Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 (edited) Hi all, Quick question for you all. Are anyone else's chooks staying in the house in this cold/wet weather at the moment? Mine spend most of the day in there and come down to eat/drink when they want, but then go back into the house?! Even when the run door is open for free ranging They've never done this before - although I only got them in Jan/Feb so obviosuly wouldn't know if they would have behaved this way at same time last year. Cheers. Edited November 10, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 yes mine do, they tap on thepatio window when they want to go back out Only prob is the pooh My house is not exactly hot, & although it is 10 past 11 & today I have turned on the fire, that is unusual, I don't think too much temp changes would be good for them, but they seem fine afgtyer all they coped with this summer didn't they like you I only got them this year, but from a quest I did put about what do chickens do in winter(that was asked in summer!) seems lots do come in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bondinho Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Sorry I think you misunderstood me - I meant they spend the day in the Cube house rather than in the run itself! I wouldn't get away with keeping them indoors, the mess would be unbelievable surely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I do get through a lot of toilet roll, but they are in & out 4 not too much mess, the feathers are messier looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinkychick Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I do get through a lot of toilet roll, but they are in & out 4 not too much mess, the feathers are messier looking! i take it you have a wooden floor? hehe my carpet wouldnt like 4 chucks poohing on it no matter how much loo roll i used As for the chucks staying in...yes mine stay in their house, one comes out and gets soaked but then she goes back home, im worried they are eating enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 might seem an odd question but is the run covered? If not perhaps you could. A cheap shower curtain lets in light. Plastic shetting isn't too costly. Saw a great set up, had plastiv around 3 sides too, kept out wind & driving rain. My lucky girls don't need all that not over the winter anyway, the summer living is down the bottom of the long arden & specially with our climate will need it all there. (when they aren't with us... naturally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bondinho Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Yeah the run is covered. As long as other people's chooks are doing it then I feel a bit better, but I thought they braved any kind of weather usually - they were out in the rain and all sorts in the summer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madbird Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 One of my girls has stayed inside all day today - so not eaten or drank anything Should I encourage outside (all the others are out)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 My girls aren't too keen on coming out when the weathers bad. I have been known to prize their little tootsies from the perch and make then free range They generally just look at me with disgust and then strut back in again I worry about the eating/drinking as well, but as I keep having to top up their feeder, they must be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 yeh I would worry if mine hadn't eaten or drank all day... I know some chooks don't care about the rain but others do. Being me Io would opffer them food & drink whilst they were inside, but I am not suggesting that is the right thing to do, just I would! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisdog Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I am sure they will come out to eat and drink when they are hungry/thirsty, especially if weather not that bad. But I totally understand, and it cannot hurt to offer food and drink in the house or bring them out for food. I gave my lot supper in bed tonight, delivered to their perches Some corn and a few breadcrumbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Oh LD a woman of my own heart what ARE we like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 I gave my lot supper in bed tonight, delivered to their perches Some corn and a few breadcrumbs I've been tempted to do this but resisted so far as I thought it would be habit forming.... but if others do it, well............!!!!!!!!!!! H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 oh I just couldn'yt bear the thought of them going to sleep on an empty crop, or silly girls getting dehydrated. I believe they withdraw food & water for 2 days to the battery's before slaughter! would explain there starvation & thirst when we get them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisdog Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Really? For two days? That's horrible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 i believe so, can't remember how I found out. To do with costs & mess or some such unacceptablee reason! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...