0 degrees at night for a few days straight

[ehoneybee]

I have 9 regular hens and a silkie rooster. The hens all roost on their bar but the silkie roosts on the floor. With these unusually cold temps at night, will he be warm enough? He has no one to snuggle with!

 

[JedJackson]

Will he stay if you put him up with the hens? That's what I would try first.

 

[Boise-girls]

I think it would depend partly on your flooring and bedding. On cold days when my hens are in their pen, they like to dig down to the ground and nestle into a little hollow surrounded by chopped straw. I assume it helps keep them warm. That wouldn't work so well with something like sand.

 

[Brooks_]

I'm about useless with cold questions, but I agree with Jed, put him on the roost. Assuming it's well ventilated and draft free he'll be fine either way, but should be on the roost.

 

[Boise-girls]

My only concern with putting him on the roost would be if it's too high for him to get down safely. If it's not too high, or if you can be on hand to assist if needed, then on the roost with the girls definitely seems like the warmest option!

 

[Brooks_]

Also curious if the hens bully him?

 

[Mrs. K]

He will be fine. For chickens, 0 is not that cold.

 

[ehoneybee]

Also curious if the hens bully him?

Not at all! He has shown his dominance and even the huge BO bows down to him

 

[ehoneybee]

Will he stay if you put him up with the hens? That's what I would try first.

I'm afraid he'll fall off

 

[ehoneybee]

I think it would depend partly on your flooring and bedding. On cold days when my hens are in their pen, they like to dig down to the ground and nestle into a little hollow surrounded by chopped straw. I assume it helps keep them warm. That wouldn't work so well with something like sand.

I have straw for them and he just hunkers down right inside the door next to the nesting boxes. He used to nest underneath the girls