Chicken bald back

[Flowerpot]

Hi Everyone

Can someone help me please?

I have heard that when the temperature is very low (like -10) it is good to give hens something warm like mash. Can anyone tell me what mash is made up from and how hot it should be etc etc.

We are having very low temps here at the moment and I hear it really is going to be a minus figure tonight and I wanted to give my girls something that will help keep them warm.

Thanks for this

Flowerpot

[jackian]

Hi flowerpot,

 

I mix some of their pellets with warm water . It goes like a porridge . They love it .

 

Jackie x

[Flowerpot]

That's simple thanks

How hot though?

I don't want to burn them when they eat or am I being too picky!

Flowerpot

[auntielizzie]

Same here, I just put some pellets in a bowl and add warm water (I always use boiled water from the kettle then add cold water to cool it down*) and mix to a porridge consistency. I tend to make it quite watery to begin with because the pellets soak up a lot of water and it becomes quite solid almost, then you can add more water until you're happy. The girls seem to quite like it nice and sloppy and I think it's a good source of extra liquid too:!:

 

Regarding temperature, I imagine I'm making it like you would for a weaning baby * (I don't use water from the hot tap as this wouldn't be what you would do for a baby - Urggggh germs ) I know, the things we do for our pets

[sjp]

they don't need hot food really but a couple of handfuls of mixed corn just before bed is supposed to help

my lot suffered no ill effects in the cold winter of 2010 when we had 30 day of below freezing temps and they only once got offered a warm feed of pasta and they let it go cold before they'd eat it so they don't get any thing warm now

[Flowerpot]

Thank you both - this is very helpful

I shall make them some for their supper(!) so that they have warm tummies before they go in for the night.

Last night was the first night their water froze and it is supposed to be colder tonight.

I love the photos of hens in the snow. My girls took one look at the snow and went back into the Eglu cube and stayed in there most of the day!

Flowerpot

[gavclojak]

I give them a warm pellet mix before bed and throw a handful of corn down for them. It heats there bodies up while they digest it overnight

[Grandmashazzie]

I give mine warm pellet mash in morning and porridge oats mixed with water in evening or sweet corn.I just stick my finger in the bowl and check it's lukewarm.

[The Dogmother]

Mine just get a handful of corn and seeds before they go in to roost, and I leave the door open all night with no ill effects. Don't forget that their body temp is 105deg, and they're wearing thick duvets.... they won't be getting cold in a hurry

[sparkysmum]

Have been giving mine porridge for years. Oats pilus warm watery milk. They guzzle it down by the cart load. Mmm. Ax

[Claireabella]

Mine get warm pellet porridge on cold mornings and mixed corn before bed.

[Redwing]

warm food makes us feel better about things but has no benefit to the bird

 

Food eaten will sit in the crop for a while so warm food quickly cools here and becomes stodge, before it enters in to the bird's system any warmth is long gone

 

Hard feed such as maize and wheat needs the body to work hard to digest it (unlike the stodge) the digestive process of the hard feed warms the body (hence Dogmother above feeding seeds and grains before roosting time)

 

I feed a higher proportion of seeds/grains in the winter and less pellets for this reason

[jimnpaula]

Hard feed such as maize and wheat needs the body to work hard to digest it (unlike the stodge) the digestive process of the hard feed warms the body (hence Dogmother above feeding seeds and grains before roosting time)

 

I feed a higher proportion of seeds/grains in the winter and less pellets for this reason

 

What seed/grain mix do you use?

[Redwing]

since you asked.......different birds get different mixes

 

Show birds are on 1/3 maize, 1/3 top quality growers mash mixed with linseed, black sunflower seeds, millet, oats and barley and 1/3 whole wheat

 

Laying birds are on 1/4 pellets. 1/2 wheat and 1/4 others incl peas, black sunflower seeds, linseed, no maize

 

Breeding birds are on 1/3 pellets, 1/3 wheat and 1/3 others incl peas, black sunflower seeds, linseed, maize, barley

 

All diets are balanced and have various oils and vitamins/minerals added, its not simply a matter of mixing stuff up

 

If in doubt simply buy mixed corn (the stuff that is mainly wheat) and substitute 1/4 of a layers pellet ration but only in winter, that much mixed corn in summer is not good but in winter is a proportion of the diet that is pretty foolproof - not too much fat for laying hens

[The Dogmother]

The seed treats mine get (just a handful between them at the end of the day) contains wheat, niger seed, maize, linseeds millet, barley, peas and a few sunflower seeds. I buy the constituents and mix it up myself.

[jimnpaula]

I'm just interested to see what other seeds they can be given, in moderation of course, thanks for your information.

[Flowerpot]

Thanks everyone

I have given them warm (baby-warm!) in the morning and you are right Redwing they love it but continue to eat it when it is cold.

I think it is because I hate being cold that I wanted to think that they were getting something to keep them warm but they don't seem to be bothered - though they don't like the snow and don't go out in it much if they can help it.

They have mixed grains as a supplement before they retire for the night and some dried meal worms.

I think I am over indulgent with them but they run about when there is no snow and are still laying eggs so I guess it is ok for now.

If I had my way I would bring them into the house along with all the sheep in the next door field and the garden birds when it is really cold! fortunately I do have a modicum of common sense and can see that they don't feel cold like I do!!!!!

Flowerpot