Bedding in cold weather - advice needed!

[raskusbo]

The weather here in the UK is starting to get cold predicted -3c over the weekend. I have 8 ex-bats and some are a bit naked and wondering if they are going to get cold at night. They are in a converted shed with a shaving bedding on the floor and straw in the nesting box only. They all tend to sleep on the floor so not sure if they are going to get cold.

Should i put extra bedding in or different bedding - advice please!!

Thanks

 

[rarebreedeggs4u]

When it was going to be 10-20 (f) degrees here the last few nights, with a lot of wind, I put in some hay over the shavings in my pens for anyone who didn't roost. My 4-5 month olds still huddle at night, as do my silkies. They love it and are much cozier in this frigid weather.

 

[raskusbo]

Thanks will get some hay and put down inside on the shavings. The outside is muddy but if we get frost should dry up a bit.

 

[Akane]

Mine just ate all the straw and then some areas turned into a gooey mess come first thaw even with layers of pine pellets and shavings under it. If possible avoid straw or just stack some straw bales like we've done when we had foals too early in the year. Find a cheap source for straw and line the coop with still tied bales or build a box they can sleep in. It will result in a dryer coop than spreading it and it insulates the whole building or area you stack it around. They'll still eat it, hopefully a bit slower than if it was loose, so make sure they have grit. For adult chickens though they'd probably be fine if you just put in extra shavings so they can dig out a little depression to sleep in.

 

[kipper]

We have been having record cold for our area for about a week. It has been getting down to 14F, and that may not be cold to some of you, but it is for us!

Our chickens normally roost, but some have bedded down in the pine shavings on our coop floor. I think the deep bedding method also helps create some heat. We keep a light bulb on, it gives off some heat.


Good luck with your rescue chickens, they will appreciate the life you will give them. It's nice to be treated with dignity.