4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[dancing cloud]

If I can prise Tubby Puddy off it (she wouldn't tolerate it till I wanted it for the hens ) I have a snugglesafe I could use to add a little warmth at night if the mercury drops to silly levels.

 

Possibly daft questions, but how exactly do I use one in an eglu or cube? Do you put it on/under the roosting bars or in the nestbox? I know the cover is washable, but how do you stop it getting covered in poo, or don't you? I assume the plastic roosting bars are not going to get melted by it?

 

Unless it gets very cold, I won't need to use it with my little monsters, but should any additional ex-batts arrive early, they may appreciate a little comfort.

 

Thought I'd ask before I do anything stupid and have to try and explain myself

[Alfred]

i would put it in a plastic bag. it shouldn't be hot enought to melt roosting bars or it will melt chickens too!!

Maybe on the roosting bars with a bit of straw over it?

[quickcluck]

Excellent idea.... but are they really necessary?? I've 6 in my cube will they huddle and keep themselves warm??

[Egluntyne]

I'm not sure that they are necessary.

 

Have you felt how warm the Eglu is inside even on a cold winters night, with the door open?

 

Hens generate quite a bit of heat.

[The Dogmother]

As Egluntine has said; they'll be fine. Mine have been OK in temperatures of -8 before now. I just give them warm mash before they go to bed.

 

Emma (theherd123) has used them in the past, but only when she had oven-ready ex batts in the mid-winter.

[dancing cloud]

My little monsters are certainly lovely and snuggly at the moment and, as I said in my post, I won't be using it with them unless the weather gets really severe (and then I'll probably want it myself ).

 

However I have said I can take 3 additional ex-batts at very short notice if my co-ordinator gets let down by anyone, and there are rescues both this month and next, so thought I'd better make enquiries on the practicalities now, rather than panic when the little oven-readies have arrived. Obviously once they're integrated, they can go snuggle up with a feathered hen and share the duvet

 

So, practical advice on use from anyone that's tried one?