The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: suziequeue on October 25, 2010, 08:11:20 pm

Title: Chickens in winter
Post by: suziequeue on October 25, 2010, 08:11:20 pm

Now that the days are getting shorter our chickens are spending more time in their coop.

They've got no food or water in there. There's not a great deal of room to put anything extra.

Any ideas?

Susanna

Title: Re: Chickens in winter
Post by: shetlandpaul on October 25, 2010, 08:36:48 pm

odd they only stay in if its really heavy rain. even when there was thick snow last year they were all over. thou we did need to defrost some snowball feet.

Title: Re: Chickens in winter
Post by: suziequeue on October 25, 2010, 09:35:44 pm

They put themselves in at night and the door closes automatically. It opens again in the morning but they are in during the dark

Title: Re: Chickens in winter
Post by: tazbabe on October 25, 2010, 09:55:20 pm

that's natural for them.

however, access to water at least would be better?

Title: Re: Chickens in winter
Post by: Cinderhills on October 25, 2010, 10:32:56 pm

Ours don't have food or water in the hen house either and I let them out as soon as it's getting light.  If I do put water in there, by morning it's full of their bedding and they can't get to the water anyway so thought there is no point.

Title: Re: Chickens in winter
Post by: Hermit on October 26, 2010, 12:20:44 am

I hang my water feeder at the right height for them to drink from but high enough to keep clean from kicked bedding,its about 6" from the floor. I could not lock an animal up without food or water but thats me. As to the weather its their choice, you just have to make sure they have a dry, draught proof place as one of their choices.

Title: Re: Chickens in winter
Post by: Cinderhills on October 28, 2010, 08:57:59 am

Thanks for the tip Hermit.  :)

Title: Re: Chickens in winter
Post by: suziequeue on October 28, 2010, 08:48:57 pm

That's a good idea Hermit.

Our coop's quite small but even a small hanging water thing would be better than the current situation.

Title: Re: Chickens in winter
Post by: ballingall on October 30, 2010, 10:09:35 am

I've hung a water feeder in the house before. Its good if you have any birds you are keeping shut in for a few days. I use washing line plastic coating string to hang it up with.


Beth

Title: Re: Chickens in winter
Post by: sheardale on October 30, 2010, 03:06:32 pm

I have a, what is called a top and tail bowl, for a baby.  Its plastic, has 2 partitions in it.  I have feeding in one side and water in the other.  I put food and water in it about an hour b4 dark.  They all go in have a wee feed and then into their beds.  The food is all gone in the morning, but some water is left.  Its easy cleaned as its plastic.  Doesnt take up much room, and they all seem happy.
Cheers Helen

Title: Re: Chickens in winter
Post by: suziequeue on October 30, 2010, 05:59:07 pm

Thankyou. Have bought hanging thingumy on line.

That will put my mind at rest