Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Tutti Frutti]

Looking for tips/advice/reassurance, if anyone's about please...!

 

Poor little Ursula! Her tail feathers are thin on the ground and her neck and belly are completely bald (Barn resuce 4 weeks ago today) and I noticed that her few tail feathers were slightly trembling - is this normal or is she shivering? Am I being a panicky chicken mummy or am I right to be worried? This is gonna be a long ramble, sorry, but I'm really worried!

 

It's so bitter outside. I was really alarmed to see their poo frozen solid in the poo tray Our WIR is fenced on 3 sides but open along 3/4 of the front. I tried to put a jumper on her but she cried so I took it off. She's tucked into with warm porridge, corn and mealworms and is drinking the warm water I've given her - but also nibbling at the snow so I've removed all the snow I can reach. Every now and again she's standing still and shutting her eyes - is this normal napping or something to be worried about? She seems bright when she's fully awake and feels warm when I hold her!

 

So I've tried to make the run warmer - put thick plastic bags along the bottom of the open front until I can buy shower curtains (too icy to drive here). I have hardwood chips on the floor - would Aubiose/hemcore be warmer (I know it would be cleaner!)? Would it blow around/get wet in the rain along the open front?

 

I also saw Sophia taking an interest in her bum. I'll use anti-peck spray at bedtime but think it's too cold to wet her with it right now. So I've separated the barn girls into the hutch until bedtime. Roll on 4pm!

 

Thank you Omleteers.

[scrambledhead]

Poor Ursula, I'm sure she'll be fine, sounds like you are doing the right things.

I can't suggest any more but expect someone more experienced will be along soon.

 

Is she snuggling up with the others at night? If so I expect they'll keep her toasty

[Tutti Frutti]

Is she snuggling up with the others at night? If so I expect they'll keep her toasty

 

She is, but I'm now worrying that Sophia may be feather nibbling in the night!!!

 

Thank you for your reply!

[skye]

Hi Tutti Frutti

 

Sorry to hear your girly is a bit cold. All of ours are as well, even the feathered ones. I think you've done the right thing sheltering them from the elements along the front of your run. It sounds like you're doing the very best for her. She is probably warmer at night than during the day as the eglu is closed up and the air is still, so I wouldn't worry too much. The only thing I did was pack the underneath of the bars with straw or newspaper to try and reduce the amount of cold air below them (still leaving enough room for the poo to drop below). Try to give her something warm again just before bed, about 3.45 or so maybe?

 

Try not to worry too much. I know it's easier said than done. The jumper may possibly damage the incoming spines and also if it's warming her up in the short term, the regrowth may not be so quick as a result. Sounds like she didn't like it anyway little madams aren't they!

 

skye x

[Plum]

Agree with Skye you are doing the right things. Any bedding is going to be frozen at the moment. As Skye says give them something to warm them before bed. If you give them a handful of wheat or corn it stays in their stomachs longer and warms them in the night.

 

If you've put the barnies in the hutch they'll be out of any wind.

 

One of mine's wee was frozen to her this morning roll on spring.

[Tutti Frutti]

Thank you all, that makes me feel lots better. I've just been with them for half an hour and my feet are frozen, even with socks and my insulated biker wellies

 

They've just all scoffed more corn and porridge Ursula is perky when she's awake - but when she stops moving, she goes all sleepy (which reminds me of Penny RIP probably why I'm panicking).

 

Our eglu is on a low table so there could be cold air whipping underneath it so Skye, thank you, we'll fill the poo tray with shavings (they probably do it themselves from the nest box anyway ) and also put some carpet underlay on the table for more insulation. The main door also has big gaps around it - is that right? The girls weren't as toasty as I thought they'd be this morning so I could put some underlay over the Eglu as well - would you recommend that?

 

Thanks again.

 

And yep I agree Plum, ROLL ON SPRING! Let alone bedtime at 4pm

[Plum]

You can but they still need ventilation or they'll get respiratory infections.

 

Brrrr hate this cold.

[Tutti Frutti]

Thanks Plum. We've put underlay underneath and over the top, leaving the door and four air holes completely clear. Also put dust-extracted shavings in the poo tray, thanks Skye.

 

We've both had a close look at Ursula and she's definitely getting an under layer of thicker, fluffy feathers on her back but her belly and bum are still completely bald. I'd read about the spines of new feathers being damaged by jumpers but I was just desperate - I'm so glad it didn't last 20 seconds!

 

We think we've found out why she got so cold. Mr Frutti has spent today extending the WIR (again!) and she'd snuck round the back to a new bit in the WIR and made a DUST BATH in the FROZEN soil (daft chicken! ). So that's now fenced off until the spring, when it'll be reopened as their very own spa

 

We've thrown two builder's tarps to cover any open sides, until we can permanently fit a clear one. Wish this ice would go away, hate it! The girls are now tucked up. Hope they sleep well. I know I won't!!!

 

Thanks ladies, you're all stars xxx

[sandyhas3chucks]

I personally cover that nasty rear gap on the Eglus to stop the drafts whistling in.(note cover not block) I have also but a doubled piece of fly screen over the lowest of the Eglu holes (the one behind the opened door) I have black out covers made to measure which again cover not block the top air holes.(sort of drape over like a pellmet.)

my disabled girl (in full moult)was chilled this morning on opening and had to be brought in to warm through.

I have popped the snugglesafe in there, under the bedding tonight (there are 3 girrls in there)

I have just checked and It is freezing out but is 16 in the Eglu, however it was last night at this time without the snuggle safe but had dropped to 3 by 7.30. Am hoping snugglsafe will keep the chill off a bit longer. they are meant to keep some heat for 12 hours.

[skye]

How is Ursula now, Tutti Frutti?

 

skye x