Run Clips

[stacey30]

Hello,

I wondered if anyone had any tips for my first winter with my hens (40 weeks) and 12 week old pekin chicks. Do you feed any particular food to keep them well in the winter? My girls free range but everywhere is a bit muddy and the girls mostly stand under the trees to keep dry with all this rain My egg supply is still what it was in the Summer, I have 1 in moult and I'm thinking the chicks won't lay this year. The day is so much shorter with them now that they go to bed at 5pm, as we eat later than this the s"Ooops, word censored!"s have to be kept till the morning I did give them some warm weetabix when we had the first frost the other day, my husband wasn't impressed (they finished the box) but bless them they weren't keen on walking on the frosted grass Any tips would be fab. Many thanks

[Redwing]

If the pekins are separate keep them on growers pellets till at least February this will greatly assist their development at a less than perfect time for growing.

 

If the others are bybrid layers leave them on layers feed . If they are pure breeds they can have layers or growers feed over winter (most of mine eat growers)

 

If they are all together move them all on to growers

 

A handful of corn between the group at bedtime is good as digesting it keeps them warm overnight, dont over do it though as fat layers and fat youngsters can get health problems

 

Try to keep the pekins feet as dry as possible and keep their toes and foot feathers free of clogged mud. You can trim the feathers if needed

[mimi5]

Hello there! I have 6 pekins and something that they love this time of the year on cold mornings is a warm porridge made by adding warm water to their pellets in a bowl!!! Don't over soak it, but just enough water so it makes the pellets swell. They love it!!! I also hang up greens for them to peck at and give an apple sometimes, cut in half. Just adds interest when they are confined to the run. I also keep a garlic clove in their drinker and add acv to their water once a month. These things are to aid general health and well being.

 

The wet weather is a pain and trying to keep foot feathers dry is hard, so a dry covered run is best.

 

Best wishes.

[Egluntyne]

Some general winter weather advice can be read here.