puffball Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Hello fellow Omleteers! As most of you probably know the temperature is pretty low at the moment and is about -6 at night time. My 4 chickens are all kept inside a rabbit hutch which is inside a greenhouse (which has the door closed but is not exactly a warm place as glass isn't a very good insulator!) We have put cardboard on top of the hutch to help insulate, but is there anything else we could do? (without setting up curtains and a radiator! which would be rather difficult in the evening!) Three of the girls are snuggled up together but our little silkie bantam(called puffball) isnt huddling up with them and we are a bit worried about her! Thanks everyone From puffball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 There are a few threads on similar subjects running with some good ideas in If your Silkie isnt huddling she: Either doesnt need to and is fine Is not comfortable with the others - do they bully her? As long as the coop is draught proof I wouldnt worry too much, if she is showing signs of cold/illness/distress you could bring her in or put her in her own straw/shavings lined box and leave that inside the coop for the night (make sure there are holes in the box for air!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 she has always been a bit of a loner but she seems to be higher in the pecking order so i dont think it is bullying. thanks for the tip, i will go and check her out before bed and check whether she needs a box tonight although i am hoping the coop will be warm enough thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 If you can get a lead out to your greenhouse, you could get a small heater from your nearest garden centre. We have one which works on a thermostat and keeps things just above freezing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I can recommend the outdoor hanging heaters. I am so glad that I bought one. My girls were scared of it at first but now they hang out under it like three biddies at Benidorm. They are much happier and eating better too..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini chick Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 biddies in benidorm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanTheDiver Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I must have very stupid hens as the cold doesn't seem to bother them, they are enjoying the snow too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 All of my girls bar one sleep on the floor huddled together but Coco roosts on the perch at night. She seems quite happy on her own with the others sleeping beneath her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneyolktoanother Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I can recommend the outdoor hanging heaters. I am so glad that I bought one. My girls were scared of it at first but now they hang out under it like three biddies at Benidorm. They are much happier and eating better too..... that did cheer me up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 All of my girls bar one sleep on the floor huddled together but Coco roosts on the perch at night. She seems quite happy on her own with the others sleeping beneath her. She has it sussed as heat rises Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Pardon my ignorance not being a chicken mum but has no one invented a chicken jacket. something like a sweater sleev with two holes for legs and the wings could stick out. Dogs wear coats why not chucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Certainly one of the chicken rehoming charities advises against them I would say that chickens are able to trap air between their feathers for a reason, if you flatten the feathers by putting something on top I dont think thats a good thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Hi I am concerned as I have one belgium duccle bantam but I also have three frizzle pekins. Thr frizzle is cute but an imperfection and I am not sure if they keep warm enough. should I consifer bringing them in to the kitchen in a cardboard box at night and get them out in the morning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I've got 4 young bantams including 2 frizzles, and I've followed Redwings advice in putting a strong cardboard box in the cube. It's very thick cardboard and I've got it on its side and filled it with straw. It reduces the empty space in the cube and they've all cuddled up in there tonight. The other older bantams ( 5) have been put together in one cube with a home-made hot water bottle covered in an old sheet and hessian. That worked quite well last night and was still lukewarm in the morning. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 How low do you think it can get with no issues? I have them in a box in the kitchen for the first time tonight but when I took them out the inside of the coop (eglu) wasnt frosty obviously the outside is encased in ice. Not realy sure how cold it can get for them safely I am proberbly over reacting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
