What to do in this damp weather!

[daisychook]

I do worry about my chooks this time of year. They have a 8 - 10 bird house with a covered run (3m x 1.5m) and then a bit of outside ground to scratch around in, which has wood chips in. Obviously the wood chip gets wet and damp, and I do worry about sneezes etc (none at present). What do others do in the winter. We kept ours in their covered run, for a couple of days when it was really windy a couple of weeks ago, but they look so forlorn, cos they LOVE being out in their scratchy bit!!

What do others do, I cant be so cruel as to keep them in for the next three months, even though there is room, although not so much when their food and water hoppers are in there!!

Anybody have any ideas, or suggestions???

[kirsty b]

I'm having similar probs myself. The run my girls are in is plenty big enough, but the ground just won't dry out and now they have got used to being out, I don't like making them stay in.
On the wettest days I throw some straw down to give them drier patches, but thats only a short term measure and then I get the fun of scraping it out
and putting it on the compost heap!!
One hen has got a sneeze, so I'm keeping a close eye on her. Seriously considering laying pallets over the dampest areas until things get warmer and drier. Also let them out to roam on the grassy areas as much as I'm able to.

[Keep It Green]

I'd have thought that if you can let them out to wonder the largest area possible as this must keep them warmer than just stood around. I let my chickens have the freedom of the garden in the winter months, that way they can find a bit of shelter.

I went out today and they were all stood on the only dry patch in the garden. I felt bad as they must have felt the cold so I made them some porridge to give them a bit of warmth. I also try to give them some chicken spice everyday or so to help fight off any illness etc.

(I am a novice keeper though so please take my advice with a pinch of salt - I'm still learning).

[daisychook]

Thank you both

I quite like the idea of pallets, at least they wont be knee damp in squidgy wood chips!!

Porridge? Do they like that? I never thought of that before, will try it on the weekend!!!

I read on here about brown bread and marmite (I hate the stuff personally!) and had to watch to see if they ate it - they love it!! Much entertainment!!!!!!

Thanks for your ideas!!!

[kirsty b]

Hi Keep It Green, as my girls are on the allotment which is about 5 mins from my house, I daren't let them roam when I'm not there, which is why they have a big run (which I'm planning to enlarge further). If they were gardens chooks, I would let them have free roaming rights all the time.

My girls like porridge too.

Kirsty