Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm getting two new girls, courtesy of Redwing, who has very kindly bought an Araucana hybrid and a White Star for me and is bringing them up to the Poultry Show in Lanark on Sunday .

 

They will be (temporarily) living in the old Omlet run on the patio but I only have a pet carrier which has no insulating properties at all. I could put them in the shed overnight but wondered if the kitchen would be OK till they're integrated. There's no heating in my kitchen (just a boiler cupboard) and as it's still dark in the mornings, I thought they might be OK there till I get up and can pop them back in the run.

 

I also thought it might give them a chance to get used to me and to being handled .

 

Thoughts for and against?

[sandyhas3chucks]

I have some sleep permanently indoors...

They are all fine, it is not that different to sleeping in different Eglus is it ? (for those of us with more than one in a WIR..

The girls indoors have seen lots come and go with no issues.. HTH

[sparkysmum]

Vicki I have a lovely (wooden) but rarely used ark which you are welcome to use for as long as you like. It has been cuprinolled and is free from any nasties.Heres a link to something similar . It has a sliding pop hole http://www.jimvysearks.co.uk/Pages/BudgetDuckArkC.html

 

It was home to my pekins for a while and more recently a friend used it for her ex batts.

 

btw I think this is my 2000 post

[sparkysmum]

Should have said the eglu run fits nicely up against it. Will try to find some photies. Alli x

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Thanks Alli, that's a very kind offer! If ES is coming up to Stirling any time soon, I could take him and come and collect it .

[Mum]

sparkysmum - congrats on your 2000th (and 1) posts

 

ANH - I have two thoughts on this: on the one hand, chickens are naturally designed to withstand heat/cold and do not, necessarily, require added insulation. So, the pet carrier would be fine outside.

By that same token, if it is the familiarisation aspect you prefer, then yes, your kitchen sounds fine, they will not overheat. It goes without saying that the usual hygiene measures need adhering to if they are being kept in your kitchen. Familiarisation will occur whether they are kept in your kitchen or pet carrier or under a shrub it is the familiarity aspect, not location, which dictates.

 

Go with your gut and what feels right for *your* circumstances Exciting times ahead for you

[sparkysmum]

You're welcome Vicki, it will be waiting for you. Would have suggested the show on Sunday but don't think we can go now having to visit elderlies in Glasgow Alli x

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Thanks, Alli, I'll be in touch if I can sort something out. Sorry you won't make the show .

 

Mum, that's a fair point. I did use the same carrier before but it was in the WIR so I felt it was slightly more protected (although it probably wasn't ). I've got a plastic backed picnic rug which I can use to put over it. My kitchen isn't big so that would probably be the best bet.

[majuka]

We've had ex batts in the kitchen overnight before when it has been very cold and they are lacking in feathers. Like yours, our kitchen has no heating so they didn't get too hot and they too slept in the pet carrier. It didn't seem to present any problems for them but obviously at this time of year it is dark by 5 so if they go to sleep in the carrier you might wake them up every time you go in there to get something to eat / drink. We got very skilled at tiptoeing in and out, they occasionally made a few sounds when the kettle boiled etc but generally it was very peaceful. Plus which, you might hear them snoring and that is so sweet!

[Redwing]

They'll be ok in either the shed or the kitchen so do whahtever is easiest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

you might wake them up every time you go in there to get something to eat / drink.

 

That had just occurred to me too . I think crashing about doing the dishes, loading the washing machine and letting Riley out for a wee may be a bit unfair so I think outside it is!

 

Another option is to pop them into the eglu at night - the others don't sleep in it! Might be a bit of a faff though .

[Duncan08]

Good luck with your new girls ANH, be sure to post some pictures

[Olly]

I've always just used a pet carrier outside, and it's been fine - don't know what the weather's like in your part of the world, but it's very mild here at the moment. Two of mine refuse to sleep inside the Eglu anyway.

[Purplemaniacs]

I have kept some in the utilty in the past, usually a poorly one but there is less disturbance for them there than in a kitchen.

 

Its a shame you are not closer to me, I have an empty eglu at the moment that you could have borrowed but its a bit of a trek from here

 

Chrissie

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Thanks for the offer, Chrissie, but you're right, it's a bit far .

 

Olly, apart from some heavy frosts last week, it's been surprisingly mild so I'm sure they'll be fine. I can always put them in the shed if it turns cold or snowy .

[sparkysmum]

Forgot completely to ask about your new ladies Araucana hybrid, sounds Will she lay blue eggs White stars always sound lovely to me. Be sure & post some pics. Alli x

[Lavenders_Blue]

New chickens - how exciting!

 

I'd go with the pet carrier outside option too. The picnic rug over the top sounds like a good idea to provide a bit of extra weather proofing, and you can always buy a small bale of straw (I use Norfolk Pasture from the local animal/country store) to give the hens something to cuddle down into.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Good idea, Lavender . I was thinking of getting one for the older girls too but wonder if you have to keep it covered?

 

Alli, Tasha thinks she'll lay more greeny than blue but either would be nice. I've seen a photo on the supplier's website but will post photos of the actual girls on Sunday .

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Spent the morning arranging the new accommodation . Can't wait to move them in .

 

 

[BizzyMomma]

That looks very cosy indeed!! I'm sure they'll be just fine in there

[Patricia W]

Great!

[sparkysmum]

Perfect. Enjoy the show, look forward to seeing your ladies Alli x

[Space Chick]

That looks perfect

 

I think it'll be warm enough with the blanket over the carrier.

[Lavenders_Blue]

That looks very cosy. They'll be as snug as a bug in a picnic rug

[keyhole kate]