Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[suebee]

Hello everyone,

 

It's such a long time since I last visited, and posted, and I've missed you all! A lot has happened since I last posted, and I've been chickenless for far too long!! I had to rehome my four girls when we moved house, as we bought a renovation project and lived in our touring caravan for six months. We're in our new home though now, and the garden's organized, including the all important chicken accommodation!!

 

So now I could do with some advice from you all...

 

I would like to buy and collect this weekend, three faverolles and possibly two brahmas, all 12 weeks old, and currently living together in a large shed with approx 25 other birds of the same age, this being their last stage before being allowed outside. They are off heat, and now, I believe, light also.

 

The concern I have, is with my set up, and whether or not the birds will be cold with me. I have a WIR, approximately 4m x 3m. This is completely enclosed, with fence panels on the sunny side (for shade). It's attached to a large shed on its west side, and heavy duty fibreglass impregnated clear roofing sheets form the other two sides. The roof is also made of these clear roofing sheets, and it has an internal ceiling of polycarbonate to prevent condensation.

 

Inside this WIR, built into the corner and with the neighbouring shed as one wall, is the wooden sleeping coop, which measures just under four feet x just under 3 feet but is also tall enough to walk into. My lovely OH has built all this for me, and has lined the only outside wall with 2 inch thick extra therm wall insulation. We've also fitted it to the floor of the coop, so no cold can strike up. There are no draughts, but ventilation is provided at the top by the shape of the curvy roofing sheets. To be honest, it's a lovely, bright airy run and set up, and just right for five big grown up girls. I'm just a bit concerned whether or not, as youngsters, they will be cold at night in what is rather a large coop for their size at present. I intend to put down a thick bed of shavings throughout, and particularly thick in the coop. I have no means of warming a snugglesafe - which is what made me think of insulating the floor. As they are young, I have left out the perches.

 

I wondered whether to defy the risk of red mite, by putting a large cardboard box in the coop, on its side with shavings in it, for them to snuggle in.

 

What does anyone think? Am I worrying unnecessarily? OH thinks I'm mad!

 

I'm sooooo sorry for the length of my post. I do appreciate you reading through it and bearing with me! Photos of it would have been better, but my windows on the computer has crashed and I'm using a live session disk thingy, and don't think I can upload anything.

 

Thanks so much everyone!

[Redwing]

They should be fine

 

I'd maybe put a thick layer of shavings down and make sure the door was shut at night that's all

 

The box idea won't do any harm if it puts your mind at rest though

[suebee]

Thanks so much Redwing, for your encouraging advice, (and for wading through my long post!) You've put my mind at rest.

 

I feel I can actually start to get excited about collecting my new girls now!

[Redwing]

Your set up sounds lovely, they are lucky chicks

[suebee]

Thanks Redwing!