3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[Leicester_H]

Hi

 

I have 3 separated hens (long story).

Since one has to sleep in a cat box - one has to sleep in the utility room - so I have brought Boo in as she is the eldest and lightest. Shes in a dog crate in the utility room.

The other 2 are locked (alone) in the 2 eglus (I have put lots of aubiose in the nest boxes) - I close the doors as soon as they are settled to keep the warmth in.

 

I daren't risk locking them in together in such a confined space (due to previous excessive feather pecking, resulting in bloody wounds).

Anyone think they wouldn't be warm enough ?

 

Smokie doesn't seem very happy in the day - lethargic, not obviously eating pellets, reluctantly taking some treats (but not many - she used to be a real pig).

She's standing on a perch, with feathers plumped up but not settling down.

I'm tempeted to bring her in.

I'm planning on letting the 2 outside ones, out to FR this afternoon and see if she brightens up at all.

Its saturday - so no access to 'decent' vet.

 

Am I just worrying over nothing ? How are your hens taking to this cold snap ?

 

Thanks, H

Edited February 5, 2012 by Guest

[GeorgieB]

I personally wouldn't leave a hen in an eglu on her own in this cold but you could get one of those heat pads for dogs/cats and put it under the aubiose. This would definitely keep them warm. Or what I do (cos my hens only like to lie down to sleep) is put a good layer of straw on the perches and they all snuggle up together on this very happily. This would certainly work out cheaper (only £2 for a bail from the farmer) than buying the heat pads but you will of course have to change the straw every day. But if they're pooing on the aubiose anyway it isn't much extra work.

 

Regarding Smokie it's hard to know. If she has a poopy bum too it's usually not a good sign if she also not eating much, fluffed up and lethargic. It could be a number of things, e.g mites, soft egg, crop problem, peritonitis etc so I would check her over before taking her to the vet. I would mix the pellets with some warm water to make a mash and then bring her in at night if she's not well, and is being kept separately anyway, and put her in a cardboard box (with holes of course) on some aubiose. I always make sure they are in a quiet, dark room without the radiator on so they don't get too hot.

 

Mine have always coped well with the cold and being able to snuggle up together at night helps. If they have all their feathers and are well then it's not a worry. How do you keep them all separate in the garden? That sounds difficult if none of them get on.

[Leicester_H]

Thanks.

I have lined nest boxes with a thick layer of aubiose and topped with shredded paper - they both sleep in the nest boxes.

 

Anyone else think this isn't sufficiently insulating for a lone hen (with the door closed)??

 

(When the free range together, they're not too bad. I keep an eye on them and only allow the occasional pecking-order style pecks.

The trouble occurs when they are confined to the runs - eg Lily pulls feathers from the same spot, draws blood, then goes back for more as hen can't escape far. Boo pecked a 'big' hole in Smokie)

 

Smokie has just had a run-around - seemed a bit perkier - attacked corn on the cob - so I still hope she's just a bit too cold for her liking.

 

H

[sandyhas3chucks]

Actually I don't think they should be alone in an Eglu this weather.

But any one that has read my posts before will know my feelings on this.

The temperature INSIDE an Eglu in the freezing weather is at BEST 1 degree higher than the outside temperature. Mine was -4 last night. I have one HUGE girl and one smaller who snuggle right up together . They are on a bed with aubiose on the base and a lovely THICK layer of dustless chopped straw with a snuggle safe buried in the straw. I put it to one side so they can choose where to sleep and where are they?

both cramped right over the top of it. Temperature under straw and away from snuggle safe +6 right now.

I have 4 others indoors for various reasons.

Paper whilst having excellent insulating properties I have found gets sodden quickly and my guess would be icey solid by morning.

There AUGHT to be no pecking overnight whilst asleep, but you simply do have to get them up and out and separate almost before it is light.

A cold hen is lethargic often shivery.. and cold to touch... I picked up one of mine who is just the right side of her moult and she had put herself in the greenhouse,.

She looked ill standing like a penguin... I thought oh ohh!!! and picked her up with the intention of putting her in the fully covered run in the sun. And was shocked at how cold she was! I sat cuddling her for awhile and she sat contented. I later put her in the heated summer house for a good feed.. And she/they pop in & out as they need to.

Mine are old ex bats I have 2,3 year released very disabled girls and 2 just coming through a balding moult.

incidentally my Vet told me to be careful of them getting cold in this weather.

He has been about a bit, said it kills lots...

not that there is much chance of mine getting cold!

my opinion!

[Leicester_H]

Hi

Thanks both.

I now have 3 chickens in the utility room ! (2 in cat boxes, 1 in a dog crate)

Better safe than sorry - I would never for give myself if one of them froze to death.

 

Smokie was a little livelier today - eating corn on the cob but I still haven't seen her eat pellets.

 

So if she doesn't eat any first thing in the morning , its off to the vet with her.

 

H

[Egluntyne]

I have one hen who still refuses to sleep inside the Cube even in this weather, and she seems perfectly OK. I would imagine that unless the hen is ill, it would be OK in the Eglu on her own, myself.

[Leicester_H]

Thanks, Egluntyne.

 

Thats what I wanted to hear - I AM over-cautious.

I worried because Smokie seemed lethargic.

 

Don't suppose you know what minimum temperatures your outside hen has endured (through choice!)

 

Hopefully, it will be getting warmer now, anyway.

 

Many thanks (all), H

[Egluntyne]

It was -6 a couple of nights ago, and she still opted for the outdoors.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I was at the vets with one of mine in arms..

Thus lady started chatting, I said she was an ex bat...

She said I have chickens , I had 8 ex bats once I went down one winter morning and they were all frozen to death... I never got any more , she said!

Then I was called in...

I have NO idea how they were kept though!

All at once ????????

I have to say that I would not be concerned for my big un 3.43 KG... on her own, unless maybe if she was in full moult??

[Leicester_H]

She said I have chickens , I had 8 ex bats once I went down one winter morning and they were all frozen to death... I never got any more , she said!

How awful ! As you say - all at once - does make you wonder about the owner ??

 

It was -6 a couple of nights ago, and she still opted for the outdoors.

 

Ta - its been -9.8 here.

 

Smokie is eating now - so I'm keeping her in until this afternoon.

 

Thanks all - the collective Omlet wisdom is so helpful.

 

H

[sandyhas3chucks]

you always get balanced views on here

It is good to all share experiences.