jjiande Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Have just been looking at the weather forecast for next Monday, and wondered how more experienced chicken keepers have dealt with high winds and storms in the past. Our chickens are in an Omlet WIR with a tarpaulin on the top; their coop is in the run. Should I do anything more than usual or leave them to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libby22 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I just make sure they have a corner or two they can get into that is completely out of the wind. They vary from totally ignoring it to shooting all over the run in a panic! Once they find they can get out of the wind, they tend to calm right down. Other than that, I think you have everything set up already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Some runs have moved in storms and someone's walk in run roof blew off. If you've got them, then slabs on the skirt or pegs into the ground could help. If it's at night and they're in the eglu then removing tarpaulins will prevent them acting like a sail and moving the run My run is screwed to the concrete but I worry about the roof and surrounding trees. The kick boards should act as a windbreak for them. I hope the forecasters are over playing it and we just get normal storms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 If you are talking runs then yes I would make sure they are doubly secure as they need to be kept in them for security. Trees are a worry, as if mature they can go under pressure. Think the bad forecast is only for one day as far as I can see? Re the chooks themselves, well I live in the Outer Hebrides where 80mph is not nice but not unheard of in a winter. Chooks don't budge and sleep through it as we will have some 50+ mph winds here and there as standard and my trees are still upright so far?.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 I am just outside of London in an area that is, I guess the total opposite of yours redsunset and we are due gales Monday. I would say our gales down here are slightly diluted compared to yours. I am in a terraced house with the girls at the back of the garden with fences on 3 sides so that acts as a windbreaker but an dreading coming home Monday from work to find carnage:( I am going to spend Sunday securing everything as much as possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjiande Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 Thanks, everyone. Run is already secured with pegs, and I think they can find shelter near the coop. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrswottinger Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 I'm getting a bit concerned now. My girls are in a classic eglu with the run pegged into the ground. They have a large fenced off free ranging area. The eglu is very heavy, I can't pick it up on my own but I am concerned that if the winds are strong enough, it could take off. its second hand and didn't come with the rings to peg it to the ground. I will be keeping in them inside the eglu and run if the weather is bad, the run is covered full length, should I remove it to avoid the sail effect even if its raining? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenthelibrarian Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Earlier this afternoon we went out and gave the girls a thorough clean-out, intending to batten down the hatches We have an Eglu classic with an extended run and my husband has made a rather good tie-on roof of sheets of corrugated clear acrylic. With this and a couple of Eglu covers they are more or less roofed over for the bad weather, but with open side areas for ventilation/view of the garden. So far so good? Him: Oh! [bad, rude word] the hens' roof has smashed Me: Oh dear, had it gone all brittle in the sunlight Him: Well, it didn't help that the wheelbarrow fell onto it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 This will be a test for my WIR, I doubt it will take off, but our old trampoline was in the same place and was found down the other end of the garden after the last big storm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Millies Chicken Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Spent yesterday putting extra large stones around the run skirts, extra bungee straps and ties on the tarps. My main worry is flying debris. When we had heavy winds last winter one of the panes of glass blew out of the green house. It flew a couple metres before embedding itself in the lawn Luckly it didnt break as it is toughened but it was good job that the chooks or me weren't in its flight path. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 I am seriously thinking of bringing all of my girls indoors tonight. I never sleep well here when it is windy - being surrounded by massive trees in all the neighbours gardens - and I would sleep even less knowing something might land on my chickens. Not sure what I will do with them on Monday but at least it will be daylight. One time when we had strong winds in 1990 my rabbit hutch took off with the poor rabbit inside it and it was a very heavy hutch. I really don't like the wind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrswottinger Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Eeek! Rabbit hutch taking off with rabbit inside?! I'm taking no chances with this one, the chooks are going in the old washhouse. Its been there since Victorian times, I'm sure it will survive the wind, it has done with previous storms! Hope its not as bad as they say and all our chooks are OK. Its already quite blustery and mine have one of their best days laying for a while since the summer, and I've got one molting too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 The only advice I can think of really - I wouldn't put plastic covers on a run where the wind can't naturally get through - I have both seen and read about runs where the wind managed to 'push/pull' at the covers which caused such a force that the run itself lifted into the air. So letting the air through the bars is a good idea in certain situations. Good luck, everyone!! Hope everyone and their hens stay safe x I am seriously thinking of bringing all of my girls indoors tonight.I never sleep well here when it is windy - being surrounded by massive trees in all the neighbours gardens - and I would sleep even less knowing something might land on my chickens. Not sure what I will do with them on Monday but at least it will be daylight. One time when we had strong winds in 1990 my rabbit hutch took off with the poor rabbit inside it and it was a very heavy hutch. I really don't like the wind That was what I was thinking. I am pretty worried too (also surrounded by trees/woods) we've done everything here for the chickens outside wise but the wind so far has been vicious. I don't have enough room for all my girls though, so I will have to plan a back up plan somehow. So sorry to read about your rabbit, that's really sad! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrswottinger Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Yes, good luck everyone with their animals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Millies Chicken Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Just got back in from feeding the horse. Already small branches have started coming off the road side trees. Have stowed away anything in the garden that could blow around such as the patio furniture etc. Read Mrs B comment about tarps. I have decided to leave mine in situ and hope that the hedge will offer some protection from the winds Not really looking forward to driving over the Severn bridge later to collect OH from Bristol Airport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 OK, well I am bringing my 9 girls in tonight. They are going in the utility room. We are surrounded by trees and their cube/run is right under a tree which has 50/50 chance of coming down if the winds are as predicted. Putting them in animal carriers and a cardboard box. Is 2 chickens per carrier OK? Will put ventilation holes in the cardboard box. They normally all get on ok.Going to stick a towel over them tonight to keep the light out in the morning. Any tips? OH thinks I am being ridiculous, but I'd rather do this than have 9 dead chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Mine will be roughing it, although I have been out tightening up omlet covers to prevent to much rain coming in, the tarps over the cube have been strapped down again. Hoping it will miss us, but I'm not looking forward to driving 25 tree lined miles to work at 7.15! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisyisarobot Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 I have a cube & have just pegged down the run. We're surrounded by very large trees and I'm now getting worried about branches coming down & pulling the netting over the big run to collapse, so will keep the girl in the small cube run tomorrow. But on the flip side, the trees will also act as a windbreak Annoyingly I ordered an extension last week to arrive last Friday but Parcelforce cocked it up & the 6 chooks will have to make do with a 2 metre run for the day. Better safe than sorry! Edit: The super massive glug is now full & attached to the outside. I can barely carry it full so if Mother Nature manages to get it airbound then she can have it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Hope everyone stays safe down south and all the chickens sleep through. For those of you able to bring them indoors due to high trees, I don't blame you as I'd do the same (yes even with 29!) Hopefully it won't be to bad tonight and no one suffers any major damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Just been out to batten done the hatches, secured the cover on the cube and put sand bags around base. I am not really great worried about the cube taking off and I think I will be ok for trees the only concern for me is when I am at work is if the fences are blown over and I have some escapees......and the dry area under the tarpaulin will no longer be dry as I thought it best to take the tarp down for fear of it becoming a massive balloon Good luck to everyone and let's just hope it's a lot of scaremongering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 I have put the 3 pekins and Lucie in our old dog crate (usually the broody cage) and Myrtle is in a really large cat carrier, all tucked up in our dining room. Hubby thought I was being silly but I didn't want to take any risks - so I haven't, unless my house gets hit instead although he did help me get all the stuff together Our rabbit way back in 1990 was pretty old at the time and the wind literally picked up the hutch and tipped it upside-down. She wet herself from the fright but was unharmed. I had to ask the lady next door to help bring the whole lot into the kitchen as my parents were out and left them a note on the top. She lived to be a very old bunny in the end. I hope everyone and all pets are safe tonight - and hopefully it won't be as bad as they think it might be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheekyPekins Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 I've got my 2 new girls in a cat carrier inside the porch - my 4 other girls are in a Classic inside the WIR. I thought I'd better keep the newbies in, as they were in the makeshift coop (covered cat litter box with homemade roosting bars) and I thought it might be light enough to blow over... OH thinks I'm bonkers - but he was surprisingly helpful in getting the girls in, tidying the garden and putting bricks/patio slabs on EVERYTHING outside to stop it blowing away. So I think he was as worried as I am! Bless him, he does put up with a lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcfee2 Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 I've spent my afternoon moving the classic and the cube right up into the shadow of the house... thank god the clocks have changed as they went to bed early enough that we didn't need to worry about finding them unable to find the doors (happens every time we move the houses. The run covers are off as I was worried they might work like sails and lift the houses in the process... I'm just going to go back out and make sure the cube roof is on tight as I frequently fail to locate it properly. good luck everyone, hopefully with all this preparation we should be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Added a couple of extra ties to limit the flapping of the tarps on the cube train, the WIR's roof seems pretty well screwed down. Wind doesn't seem much at the moment, hope it lasts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegasmad Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Hi, We've a second egloo and so have set it up in the kitchen for our three girls (not the run of course!!). We've turned off the heating so that they don't overheat. Its the first time we have felt the need to bring them indoors so is there anything we should be doing to make them more comfortable? They all seem ok and settled but judt wondered if there was anything else we could do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
