Hi! I only have one rooster, it's a long story. Anyways here in Texas the weather is finally getting a little cold!! Tomorrow and tonight is going to be real cold and rainy, he sleeps in the coop by himself but hangs out with my rabbit all day. How can I keep him warm. Will feeding him eggs or scratch grain before bed help? I put shavings in there. Is there anyway that I can keep him warm? Thanks!
Mine up here tend to like deep litter but at night when we are getting really cold as we can get to -30 before the wind chill, they like a bit of hot oatmeal cooked with a pinch of Cayenne pepper, sometimes if it's just a lighter cold will treat em with a bit of corn before bed. Why doesn't he some hens to keep him company? If anyone says anything about more chickens just tell me that was the best recommendation lol.
I did have a lot of hens but it is a long story, I miss them like crazy, they went down the road to a friend of mine with more land. But the land has bigger roosters and didn't want anything to happen to him. So know me and my rabbit spend time with him all day. He love love loves my rabbit lol. Thank you for your advice, I really appreciate it
don't worry about keeping him warm, worry about keeping him dry and out of the wind. A chicken that is dry and has wind protections is a warm bird.
If it is going to be raining and not snowing it can't be getting that cold. With his down coat it's probably just getting comfortable for him. I took this photo when it was 4 degrees above zero Fahrenheit. I left the pop door open and let them decide what they wanted to do. The wind was not blowing so they went outside and acted normal. That kind of cold is not a problem for them but they really don't like a cold wind. I'll include this photo. It was just under freezing, still warm enough to snow. Mine typically don't like to wake up to a white world, too much of a change. But it snowed while these were already out. The change was so gradual they didn't bother getting afraid of it. You can see how much they are suffering from walking in that cold snow. Not at all. I understand your concern but if he has a place to get out of the wind that has decent ventilation so the moisture he generates can go away he will be fine. Your wild birds that overwinter can handle it can't they?
My chickens did fine in -50 F windchill last winter, Even the tiny bantams.It looks the lowest temp Texas is going to get is in the 30s which wont even phase a chicken.
You may think it cold but a chicken would never feel that it is cold in Texas. As long as he isn't a frizzle, fayoumi or other cold intolerant breed, your worries are misplaced. I would pay more attention to adequate ventilation and getting him come chicken friends.