We still need a poop expert here!
Calling @casportpony !
And how old is this pullet?
Has she reached point of lay?
If so, when was the last time she laid an egg?
Is her posture normal?
Walking normally?
To satisfy the "need for ventilation discussion", perhaps you could peel back the plastic at least somewhat if not fully, as long as it is ABOVE the height of where they perch to avoid a draft.
Moisture from expiration RISES, therefore vents should be up.
Here's an example for illustrative purposes:
*Imagine 2 people sitting in a car in very cold weather without the engine or heat running, with all the windows closed.
They inhale cold air, which is heated closer to body temperature in the lungs as it picks up water molecules and is exhaled as warm moist vapor.
Eventually the car windows will fog up on the inside just from breathing. If it's super cold that vapor in the windows will even freeze up on the inside.
The greater the number of people, the faster this will happen.
The water vapor will eventually build up on all the internal surfaces, not just the windows, such as the headliner, the upholstery and your clothing.
The same holds true for chickens in a coop with little to no ventilation. All the inside surfaces will be coated with water vapor molecules including their feathers.
But the root question here isn't necessarily the ventilation, it's WHY ISNT THE CHICKEN FEELING WELL? (aside from the cold temperatures)
Continued observation is definitely the right track.
Keeping her in a warm, calm environment,
Providing her with electrolytes if you have them is never a bad idea,
Nudging up her protein intake is helpful for healing,
And monitoring her poop output for color and consistency and possibly treatment (in case it's something like coccidiosis)-when the poop inspector gets here- will help you get this figured out.
In the meantime, keep an eye out for unusual poops or anything else unusual happening with the rest of your flock.
Calling @casportpony !
And how old is this pullet?
Has she reached point of lay?
If so, when was the last time she laid an egg?
Is her posture normal?
Walking normally?
To satisfy the "need for ventilation discussion", perhaps you could peel back the plastic at least somewhat if not fully, as long as it is ABOVE the height of where they perch to avoid a draft.
Moisture from expiration RISES, therefore vents should be up.
Here's an example for illustrative purposes:
*Imagine 2 people sitting in a car in very cold weather without the engine or heat running, with all the windows closed.
They inhale cold air, which is heated closer to body temperature in the lungs as it picks up water molecules and is exhaled as warm moist vapor.
Eventually the car windows will fog up on the inside just from breathing. If it's super cold that vapor in the windows will even freeze up on the inside.
The greater the number of people, the faster this will happen.
The water vapor will eventually build up on all the internal surfaces, not just the windows, such as the headliner, the upholstery and your clothing.
The same holds true for chickens in a coop with little to no ventilation. All the inside surfaces will be coated with water vapor molecules including their feathers.
But the root question here isn't necessarily the ventilation, it's WHY ISNT THE CHICKEN FEELING WELL? (aside from the cold temperatures)
Continued observation is definitely the right track.
Keeping her in a warm, calm environment,
Providing her with electrolytes if you have them is never a bad idea,
Nudging up her protein intake is helpful for healing,
And monitoring her poop output for color and consistency and possibly treatment (in case it's something like coccidiosis)-when the poop inspector gets here- will help you get this figured out.
In the meantime, keep an eye out for unusual poops or anything else unusual happening with the rest of your flock.
We're so happy you've decided to join us
Wish it were under better circumstances. For what it's worth, i'm an hour north east of you and mine are in cattle panel shelters with only a tarp on the back half and doing fine. This morning they weren't in a hurry to come out until the sun was higher in the sky, but other than that they've adjusted fine.
