Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Leicester_H]

Hi

 

Last winter, my 3 cream leg bars slept in the eglu in the WIR (because I removed their perch!).

 

This year they have a more substantial homemade 'jungle gym' thingie - they like to sleep on the top part.

 

So, as its going to be quite cold tonight, I waited until they'd perched, picked them up carefully (they're moulting, a bit) and placed near eglu door and gently pushed them in, one by one. Thinking 'that went better than I thought it would', I exited the run - only to see all 3 run out and re-perch on the jungle gym.

 

Will they have the sense to go into the eglu if they get too cold, or will they be so asleep they could freeze ?

 

If its cold when they start to perch, might they choose go into the eglu on their own - or is their preference / habit so well established that I'll have to intervene ? (I could remove the jungle gym until they get back into the habit of sleeping in the eglu.)

 

Or will they simply be OK snuggled up together?

 

H

[mullethunter]

They won't freeze. Ask redsunset - she has chooks that sleep out all year in the Scottish Islands!

[Leicester_H]

They won't freeze. Ask redsunset - she has chooks that sleep out all year in the Scottish Islands!

yeah - but mine are soft posh girlies !!!

[mullethunter]

[The Dogmother]

From a safety point of view, it's better that they are in the coop/Eglu, but if they want to sleep out, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Their body temp is 105deg, and they are unlikely to get cold. If you are concerned, then go in the run and pop them in the housing and close the door.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Mine have all slept outside (in the WIR) through the worst snow and storms with no ill effects. Now, strangely, 4 of the 5 have started going into the eglus to sleep with little Layla staying out on her own - I started putting her in with the others and now they are all going in unaided.

 

I wouldn't worry, if they are happy staying outdoors they must be comfortable enough .

[Leicester_H]

Thanks all.

 

So, basically, they'll be OK snuggled up together and they'll have enough sense (not a word often used about chickens!) to go into the eglu if they feel the need.

 

Its really useful to get other people experience (I do worry about them too much!!!)

 

H