4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[surf_space]

When I went to clean out the chicks this morning the Eglu was frozen solid! It was really hard to get the top off, as it had made a seal all around it, and when I finally managed to get it off, I also found that all the newspaper to catch the droppings had frozen to the poo tray. Has this happened to anyone before? Is it normal for winter weather? Thanks

[sandyhas3chucks]

try something called aubiose... in the poo tray...

I think i read somewhere about spraying it with WD 40 (before) it freezes up stos it.. but not sure on that

[mimi5]

Well I've been worrying and wondered about the extreme temp jacket? But everyone on here says don't bother (it is expensive!!) However I did block up the cube poo tray gaps with flannels during the snow in feb this year (only got my cube end of jan this year) as I didn't like the idea of a draught up the pekins bottoms!!!

 

This morning my cube lid was frozen shut too! But after a jiggle it did get it free and poo trays newspaper wasn't frozen, but the flannels on the right side were!! Stiff as boards! Bit worried now, have been giving them a snuggle safe at night. They have better coloured combs in the morning when I do, so I worry they are cold. I have 6 adult pekins in my cube, but block off the nestbox and only allow them to roost in the coop. Back in feb I also put an old piece of underlay over the cube lid and handles, but have this over my wooden ark with 2 younger pekins in!!!

 

The other difference now is that I have recently sited the cube and run for the rest of the winter and put down wood chip in the run. The garden is shady and I have placed the run to face any sun!!! So coop back isn't getting any sun at all!

 

Sorry no real suggestions! Any ideas guys???

[Cheeky Chooky]

The handle to open the door on my was stuck this morning...strange as the handles on the and were fine

[surf_space]

I use the Eglu for my chicks so there are no roosting bars in at the minute, it is all covered in straw (might change to something else), the straw seemed fine and no frost, just the newspaper lining it frozen solid . Just seems a little strange to me ...I understand that water can get through the cracks and freeze the top I just wondered if anyone else was experiencing it? I just was finding it strange that the inside was actually freezing, surely this isn't a good thing?

[sandyhas3chucks]

I wonder if car summer screen shades the silvery refectiive ones would be any good. with the siver side pointing down to perhaps reflect and escaping heat back down..

or up it used in poo tray???????

I have 5 ex bats in the cube and removed the divider so that they could all get into the nest box easier.. their prefered place, this was back in august when there were 6...

nice and toasty...

[mimi5]

Surf_space the coop part of the cube is raised off the ground.Which eglu do you have? Sounds like the chill is coming up from underneath?? How old are your chicks??? I would worry about then getting cold. Also if they are old enough to roost I put back the roosting bars for them.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I use the Eglu for my chicks so there are no roosting bars in at the minute, it is all covered in straw (might change to something else), the straw seemed fine and no frost, just the newspaper lining it frozen solid . Just seems a little strange to me ...I understand that water can get through the cracks and freeze the top I just wondered if anyone else was experiencing it? I just was finding it strange that the inside was actually freezing, surely this isn't a good thing?

Any wet (from poo?) will freeze ... paper just holds wet try aubiose insted,,,

from recent test the inside of the eglu is just 2 degrees warmer than the ambient outside , soo minus 4 outside = minus 2 inside.. however under a snuggling hen(thats all I had) it is toasty warm. Personally don't think an icy air draft under their buts is good.

just my personal opinion.. many leave the door open, cant see myself there isa much point of an insulated coup if you leave the doors and windows all open??

again just my personal opinion...

[sandyhas3chucks]

Surf_space the coop part of the cube is raised off the ground.Which eglu do you have? Sounds like the chill is coming up from underneath?? How old are your chicks??? I would worry about then getting cold. Also if they are old enough to roost I put back the roosting bars for them.

oh geez there is another thread that says dont let them roost , it damages the breast bone...

also of they are snuggling up together on a nice deep warm bedding material suely they will be better off??

[surf_space]

I always close the door at night. Sorry for not saying I've got an Eglu Classic for my chicks and a Forsham Cottage Ark for my big hens. Its only the Eglu which is freezing. Chicks are 11 weeks old, so not really chicks but they are still tiny to me They don't seem to be in discomfort as I check on them in the evening and the bedding layer is very thick. I'm going to put the bars back in soon.

 

 

sandyhas3chucks-Thanks might try the screen shades they could work.

[clucker1]

My cube nest box was well and truly STUCK this morning, couldn't access those eggs, nor from the top access, also firmly glued . Managed to open it this pm to 2 eggs . Never had this before, despite it being colder last year. Perhaps some dampness had got in around the openings.

[Purplemaniacs]

Occasionally I have struggled to lift the eglu handle on the top to open the door and to open the egg port. Clucker1 I agree I don't think it is just down to how cold it is, I think it is if it is cold and damp at the same time.

 

Once I think it was last winter I really had a job to open the eglu door to let them out in the morning as rain had frozen in the opening on the top of the eglu, in the end I had to melt the ice but that was only once in four winters so that was not bad.

 

Chrissie

[surf_space]

maybe it will improve when all the rains stopped then

[sandyhas3chucks]

My cube nest box was well and truly STUCK this morning, couldn't access those eggs, nor from the top access, also firmly glued . Managed to open it this pm to 2 eggs . Never had this before, despite it being colder last year. Perhaps some dampness had got in around the openings.

Oh I am in surrey too and my cube is in a chilly place although does get sun, it catches all the breexe (or icey blast) too.

however I have a green oblong shade covering side to side and flapping over the top draclear space/draft hole(not blocking). also rolled newspaper in the drawer drafts, both have a good inch space that it doesnt fit.

Mine opened as normal... but I did wonder if the cover might freeze on. (it hasn;t yet, and I fold it open to dray any rain off during the day..

I think I read of the doors freezing last year?

[Eggasperated]

I've had problems with all sorts of things freezing this year, seems to be the combination of rain followed by freezing nights. I found a good application of vaseline helped stop things from freezing too much; I wouldn't use WD40 anywhere near the girls as I wouldn't think it would be very good for them.

[sandyhas3chucks]

Sorry assumed folks would do when girls are out Freestyle

[Egluntyne]

A good spray with WD40 to the door mechanism will help.

[lillybettybabs]

I have bought one of the extreme weather jackets because of this and because their run is in an exposed

position this winter and has be soaked inside due to rain coming through the vents. No frozen roof,door or

poop trays (the poop was always frozen in the tray too), no drafts or leaks when the ran blows a certain way

now. The money spent is time gained from having to thaw them out each morning also Snuggly happy spoilt hens

= happy chicken mum

[sandyhas3chucks]

Yay!

[lillybettybabs]

I don't know why it's getting slated on here - great bit of winter kit.

[good_egg]

I like my cube one. At the moment we have frost/snow every night and it was -6 when I got home the other night. I feel less guilty and worried about my 4 still quite little girls knowing they have a bit of extra protection. Dorothy has rewarded me by laying 5 eggs now so obviously gets her approval!

[Hayleybug]

i would buy one for the eglu if it didnt fix on with hooks designed for the eglu run. as mine is in a WIR it wouldnt attach properly i dont think....

[lillybettybabs]

I think it should be fine or you can swap them for some longer bungees from B&Q to attach to

the WIR.

[mimi5]

Have to confess, I have one on the way! It's just since I've sited the cube for the winter that I've had all the freezing up problems. One poo tray on the exposed corner seems to always be wet (well the flannels I use to try and cut down the draught up the pekins bottoms!!) I've been using a snugglesafe on the really cold nights and they come out in the morning with redder combs when I do! Glad to hear it's worth investing......although it's 10dec here today!!!

 

So can I ask at what temp do you put yours on and then off again???

[lillybettybabs]

That's way i bought one, i normally winter them under the tree but due to the rain flooding the garden

i have put them on the patio, which is exposed.