My eco solution to rat problems

[xsoggyx]

Hi all,

 

This will be our first Winter. Any advice you can give would be really appreciated. Even better if you can show the pics

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've been browsing the forum and have just read a sticky about cold weather and eglus - it's just above your post, it might answer your questions!

[Christian]

Here you go.........

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=220

 

[Jules.]

I'm going to have to do some swotting up too! It's all new to me

[xsoggyx]

Thanks for the help so far. I have also seen a post where someone used some plastic sheeting over the run and held it down with bungies. Looks good and a cheap idea.

 

Keep the ideas coming please.

[Mrs Frugal]

There is also some information on keeping your hens warm in the FAQ section .

[lost-sheep]

knit them beak warmers?? ... or give them a sock (saves knitting!)

[Egluntyne]

Mine kept each other warm. It is surprising how warm the inside of the Eglu gets.

[The Dogmother]

Mine keep each other warm, and have a clear plastic shower curtain over the run, secured with bungees to keep the rain out (it's been there all this summer too )

 

The only problem seems to be the drinking water - you have to watch out that it doesn't freeze solid - the best remedy for this is to take it in at night.

[Egluntyne]

Ah yes...very invigorating crunching across the frozen garden in piggyjimjams to break the ice in the glug!

 

 

It's only going to be a matter of weeks!

[Nicola O]

The only problem seems to be the drinking water - you have to watch out that it doesn't freeze solid - the best remedy for this is to take it in at night.

 

Another alternative is to put a few drops of glycerine in the water - it stops it freezing.

 

I tried it last winter and it really does work.

 

Nicola.

[Christian]

Another alternative is to put a few drops of glycerine in the water - it stops it freezing.

 

I tried it last winter and it really does work.

 

Nicola.

 

Did i read somewhere that glycerine wasn't good for chickens? Or did i dream it? probably dreamt it!

[The Dogmother]

There was a discussion some time ago about it Christian (perhaps that's what you remember).

 

Someone with a scientific brain - probably Louise - worked out just how much Glycerine you'd need to stop it freezing - it was an awful lot.

[Mrs Frugal]

Put a ping pong ball or a golf practise ball into the drinker at night to stop it freezing! It does work, apparently.

[Nicola O]

Oh god, don't tell me I was poisoning my chooks with the glycerin .

 

I didn't use much, only a teaspoon in a completely full glug and the water didn't freeze (unless those nights were not as cold as I thought and the water wasn't going to freeze anyway )

 

Nicola

[The Dogmother]

I don't think it's poisonous Nicola, don't worry.

[Christian]

Oh god, don't tell me I was poisoning my chooks with the glycerin .

 

Sorry Nicola, didn't mean to worry you, just remembered someone posting something about glycerine last year and you need lots to make it effective. Something like 1/3 glycerine to 2/3 water.

[Louise]

T'wasn't me

 

I personally wouldn't use it ask yourself if you would drink it before you decide

 

I change the water a couple of times a day to make sure they have unfrozen water

[Nicola O]

Phew, thanks guys, I was having a panic there for a moment .

 

Nicola.

[The Dogmother]

P'raps it was LJ then.

[Richard T]

Nitro-glycerine is not very good for chickens. It can cause loss of feathers, beaks, wings, legs, peanuts, glugs, owners, eglus, gardens ......

 

And I'm not even sure if it'll stop the water freezing.

 

[The Dogmother]

You are a one Richard!

[Jules.]

Nitro-glycerine is not very good for chickens. It can cause loss of feathers, beaks, wings, legs, peanuts, glugs, owners, eglus, gardens ......

 

And I'm not even sure if it'll stop the water freezing.

 

 

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I read somewhere on here that putting a few drops of Citricidal in the water stops it freezing. There is glycerine listed in the ingredients. Haven't tried it yet but it's getting quite cold in Scotland already so will probably be able to let you know if it works quite soon !

[Christian]

I read that too last year Vicki, unfortunately, it didn't work!

 

I now put a tennis ball in the glug and that seems to do the trick unless it gets to -5 or so below!

 

Then its a pj, dressing gown and sage green croc run across the frosty grass with a mug of hot water!

 

 

edit - Oh and a bobble hat if its really cold! Not a look!

Edited September 28, 2007 by Guest