I have a 7 month old blue silkie who is not doing well with the cold weather here in Western MD. She is only about 2-3 lbs. This coop used to b a smokehouse and is heavily insulated. My Dad built this about 40 years ago. We have straw in there and the only opening now is the prop door and the 2 vents out the top. We got her a heavy cardboard box and put straw in it and she now sleeps in the box. She always feels warm when we pick her up, but we think she pretty much just stays in that box during the day (the food is inside the coop, but have to walk out the prop door to the run for water). We let them out every evening to free range in the yard for about an hour or 2. She usually will come out, eat and scratch for a bit, drink some water and then go back in and get in her box. The coop is about 7 wide x 17 long and about 8 tall. We have a 250 watt red bulb that we keep on for them 24/7. It has been getting down in the 30's & 40's at night. Tonight it's supposed to b in the low 20's. Thermometer says it's about 45 degree in there now.
So now with all that background and the fact that I do know silkies dont do well in cold weather (my roo silkie weighs about 5-6 lbs, is the same age, and is doing fine) what should I do for my little Furball? hould I bring her in the basement where it is limate controlled?? Leave her out there and add another bulb closer to her little box....HELP????!!!!!!
U can see pics of the coop on my BYC page if u have more questions.
So now with all that background and the fact that I do know silkies dont do well in cold weather (my roo silkie weighs about 5-6 lbs, is the same age, and is doing fine) what should I do for my little Furball? hould I bring her in the basement where it is limate controlled?? Leave her out there and add another bulb closer to her little box....HELP????!!!!!!
U can see pics of the coop on my BYC page if u have more questions.