bruciebumpkin Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 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...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Food!! Half a raw cabbage hung up for them to peck at, mixed corn for them to scratch for (also helps keep them warm). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruciebumpkin Posted January 29, 2011 Author Share Posted January 29, 2011 Thanks - have already tried corn and I will definitely try the cabbage. Although they are a bit fussy with their greens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruciebumpkin Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
