BGB Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I live in an area where there are foxes and badgers, so always tend to shut the chickens into the Eglu at dusk and let them out about 7 am. With the evenings drawing in I feel that they need food and water over the long winter nights which at the moment is about 12 hours. There seems no way to easily supply this once they are shut in the Eglu. Any ideas? As you may have guessed this is our first year of keeping chickens. We have 4 black rocks about 27 weeks old. Are they hardy enough to survive the winter without extra insulation? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 They don't need food and water overnight, they go into a dozy, sleepy sort of state and they're fine for a night. Their crops will usually be well full as they go to bed I imagine and they'll be digesting this food overnight. When its cold they snuggle into each other. If they're in an eglu (it's double skinned) they'll be as warm as toast. Good Luck - They're a lot hardier than you might think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Some advice **here** about caring for your hens in winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGB Posted October 21, 2010 Author Share Posted October 21, 2010 Many thanks for your replies. Just what was needed to put my wife and I s minds at rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 they dont need food or water overnight. They wont suffer with the weather, I dont even close my coop doors and have never lost a chook to the cold - they are extremely hardy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
