madchickenlady Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I have a large wooden coop and use a layer of newspaper on the floor under the perches to catch the poo. I change this every other day. At the moment I have pleurisy, so am trying to stay in and rest The hens are due to be cleaned today, but I know that if I go outside for any longer than it takes to break the ice on the drinker that I will feel awful and have a bad coughing fit. My husband would do it, but he's at work and won't be in until all the chooks are roosting. So, please reassure me that they will be fine until tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 You re being daft I don't know how many hens you have ,but I have 12 in a Cube,& they get cleaned out twice a week. Last week I was unwell,so they had to go a week - no harm done. Look after yourself & try not to worry about them or feel guilty. Get well soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted December 20, 2010 Author Share Posted December 20, 2010 Thanks Cinnamon I have 8 pekins in a house big enough for, er, 18 You're right, I am being completely daft. Gah, it's just so annoying not being able to do everything I usually do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 You are being daft, they will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelope Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Yes you are being daft!! Sorry that you are feeling so awful but the sooner you get better the sooner you will be able to spoil your girls again. As long as they have food & water & they are not in a sopping wet bed they will be absolutly fine. Feel better soon. X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I've had a gastric flu thing and apart from topping up water and food last week they had to make do. I managed to throw clean straw in the nest boxes a couple of days and that was it - they were fine and still laid lots of eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 You are being daft. They will be fine. There seems to be an echo in here. Sorry to hear that you have pleurisy. Very nasty. Stay warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Yes, look after yourself, they will be fine. Mine get poo-picked every day but sometimes get left for longer than this. In this weather the poo is freezing in the trays and they are pretty clean anyway. I shouldn't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElvisFan Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 You are being daft and by going out and making yourself worse then it will take longer to get better and then they might have to wait a bit longer so the logic is stay where you are and concentrate on getting better ! Yesterday I really really didn't want to clean the elgu but my pain was entirely self inflicted so I made myself do it as a punishment and a reminder that half pints of Bailey's are NOT a good idea Get well soon ((Hugs)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I'm afraid to say I'm really quite slovenly (just now) & def not the queen of clean. My hens are cleaned out once a week during this weather. They are warm, their runs are kept snow free they have food and fresh clean water daily. Please don't beat yourself up, life's too short. Alli xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I agree with all the above (including about you being daft ). Hope you feel better soon . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Of course you are being daft...They will be fine. Concentrate on getting yourself better xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Worry about yourself not them. As others have said the cold weather is making their poo freeze so it won't get too whiffy for them. I've been cleaning mine out every 4 days or so but I know that could stretch a little if needed. The cold air won't do you any good and your chickens would rather have a healthy happy mummy than a poorly one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Glad I'm not the only one stressing about hens. Lets be daft together and get well soon. Ali x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 The poo will insulate them from the cold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted December 20, 2010 Author Share Posted December 20, 2010 Thanks everyone I know I'm being daft, but I do worry about them in these temps Still, the husband has promised to do it tomorrow if he can chisel the poo off the floor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I also have a wooden coop with newspaper under the perches. It gets changed once a week - occasionally I will even let it go 8 days The first time we went on holiday I didn't like to ask my neighbour to change their paper, so they went a whole 2 weeks and were none the worse for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 YS's friend who is 10 was watching me hacking frozen poo off the roosting bars yesterday - she was not impressed "thats gross" - I know my friend will mention it when she calls and we'll have a laugh about it. PING sound of frozen chicken poo flying thro the air Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I also have a wooden coop with newspaper under the perches. It gets changed once a week - occasionally I will even let it go 8 days The first time we went on holiday I didn't like to ask my neighbour to change their paper, so they went a whole 2 weeks and were none the worse for it. Lucky you - I tried that but the little madams shread the flipping paper on the first day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
