Chicken boarders

[bruciebumpkin]

Since the weather has not reached above 2 degrees for the last few days, our chickens have wanted to stay inside their eglu for most of the day, only coming out for ten minutes at a time before disappearing inside again. Anyone got any ideas how we can cheer them up a bit? Have already put winter cover on run, made new dust bath and given them some interesting logs for new perches...!

[Christian]

Food!! Half a raw cabbage hung up for them to peck at, mixed corn for them to scratch for (also helps keep them warm).

[bruciebumpkin]

Thanks - have already tried corn and I will definitely try the cabbage. Although they are a bit fussy with their greens!

[Salop Chuck]

Try corn on the cob (cooked lightly for 2-3 minutes) and placed on the ground in the run or strung from the sides of the run. It is a warming food and also keeps them occupied.

 

This year I covered my run with a 'window clear' tarpaulin (apart from a small section to allow for ventilation) and this has had the effect of completely protecting from the cold winds and driving rain/snow as well as letting daylight in. The temperature inside the run is 2-3 degrees higher than the ambient temperature outside and feels much more comfortable for the chooks. Any thick polythene sheeting would do as a temporary measure.

 

Hope this helps.

Sue

[gongladosh]

Mine love a bit of hot porridge! The other (easy) option is to throw down a bit of corn - mine will move mountains to get some corn.

[bruciebumpkin]

Clear tarpaulin would be a good plan as I tend to rush outside madly the minute the sun comes out to roll back the winter cover so that they get some sunlight!

 

Will try porridge a bit later... can it be made with milk the normal way or should it just be mixed with water? I hope they will perk up a bit if I let them out to do a bit of free-ranging, if not I'm off to town to buy corn on the cob/cabbage!