Chicken deficient Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 The Pekins have made their annual migration and are now sleeping in the Cube nest box at night, which makes a right mess, BUT, I had a sudden flash of inspiration and tried my old wooden Eglu classic roosting bars in the next box and they fit rather well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 winter is here too - frost this morning, rather to the girls' disgust. but the bats are still flying around, noticed them just now when I went to shut the girls in. will you take the roosting bars out in the mornings? otherwise the eggs might get broken... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I had to break the ice on the drinkers and the duck pool the other morning. I've started bringing the drinkers in at night now. I love the fact you can tell what time of year it is by your Pekins. Are your Pekins like a groundhog? Can they also tell how long winter will be this year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I shut mine in the eglu for the first time last night. Not sure how cold it should be before you shut the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted October 21, 2010 Author Share Posted October 21, 2010 They seem to have just about stopped laying already this year - might be an omen of a harsh winter coming?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Bat Ally1 Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Hi I am a total newbi to owning hens and we are due our first Ex Bat Hens in 2 wks. I am studying all info on here and other sites and getting everything ready. I have one question which is probably very obvious to most but I need to make sure I get it right. At the top of our coop is a sliding door with mesh behind for ventilation, do we need to leave this open at all during night or is it just for warmer months?? Thanks in advance for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Hi, you need to leave it open. It's important they have ventilation even when it is brass monkey weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Bat Ally1 Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 (edited) Thanks thats one less thing to worry about lol Edited October 21, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Do you shut the pophole Plum even when it is mega cold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Hi Ally welcome to the forum. Glad you joined, as you will find loads of helpful people and info on here for when you get your girls. All best Deb xx P.S not long now till we get our new girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Bat Ally1 Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Hi Debs, Yes there is loads of good info on here and people answer quick which is great. Only 2wks to go and still loads to learn. Ally x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I always shut the pophole all year but the only ventilation I block is the trays when its windy and icy. All the high level ones stay open. If I put my hand in among the girls they are lovely and warm even Pigeon who is moulting. Her new feathers are hot, must be the blood in the quills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Oh! I've only shut the pop hole once and that was the night before last when I thought it would be really cold. I think I will do it more on these cold nights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted October 21, 2010 Author Share Posted October 21, 2010 I just shut the door if it is going to drop below zero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Bat Ally1 Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I dont own a Eglu so was wondering what was the pop hole?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 I dont own a Eglu so was wondering what was the pop hole?? Morning Ally, pop hole is the door way the girls go through to get into their coop. Some people close it at night, some dont. When I first had my two hens I didnt close it, but now I do as I feel they are warmer and a bit safer too. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
