how do hens cope with the minus temperatures?

[angelat]

hi all, how do hens cope with the minus temperatures?
Do they shiver in the night?

I feel so sorry for them all , my one who is moulting is shivering. i put loads of hay in their coop and leave food everywhere in little pots for them so they have access to it anywhere they go or just inside the run in case they dont want to come out.

i have found that those clip on feeders that i clip onto the run have been a god send when they have been sheltering in their run part.

god speed the spring on for our feathered friends poor things.

[RichmondHens]

They won't be as cold as you think. Remember they are all wearing feather duvets! They will be perfectly cosy tucked up together in their house at night. As long as they are not in a draught or getting damp in any way they will be ok. If the moulting one is really suffering then you could try giving her a cardboard box full of straw to snuggle in, although the others may try to get in it as well.

[SMS6]

I noticed yesterday that there was frost on top of their house and run but not on the bit over their sleeping quarter so they must generate some heat although this morning the frost was more severe so did cover it all

[Scarlet]

Well, I feel more sorry for my friendly robin...he's just cost me a fortune in sunflower seeds to keep him going!

[VirginVegGrower]

Inlet are selling cold weather jackets for eglu cube and classic. Anyone got one?

[winstonwobble]

mine just wont come out of the coop at all been giving them extra food and warm water

[petal]

a bit of scrambled egg always cheers mine up, or meal worms

[Snadger]

They have feathers like all other wild birds and roost with their feet tucked up under them and their heads tucked into the chest feathers.

Its just like us going to bed with a feather quilt and feeling all nice and snug!

Half of my flock roost outside all winter!

[Mr Dave]

a bit of scrambled egg always cheers mine up, or meal worms

Haha that is so weird. I love it!

[perkin]

I just use a big thick blanket over the top of the eglu (one that some furniture removal men left behind) and on the really cold nights have been giving them a warm water and pellets/corn/spice powder/mealworms porridgey supper about an hour before they head to bed. They go totally mad for it!

[pauco]

Well, I feel more sorry for my friendly robin...he's just cost me a fortune in sunflower seeds to keep him going!

Try him/her with some live mealworms, may even come to hand to take them from you in time.


paul.

[angelat]

mine like scrambled egg and meal worms. I also tried them with a bit of heated up quiche lorraine - minus the bacon of course and they couldnt get it in there beaks quick enough lol! mind you they also have a passion for iced doughnuts! they dont watch their waist lines!!

[RichmondHens]

Why minus the bacon? Chickens love meat, they are omnivores.

[Nicos]

they are omnivores.

The only meat I won't give my gals is chicken!
Just doesn't seem right...although I'd bet they'd love to get their gnashers into some!

[hollychap]

Well, I feel more sorry for my friendly robin...he's just cost me a fortune in sunflower seeds to keep him going!

a big bag of sunflower seeds £1 at poundland my chooks love em