Is Knitting Jumpers for Chickens a good idea????

[Differentiation]

Ive got three bantams and I was just wondering how cold is too cold for them. Its only November and its already getting to 1 degree celcius. Plus its getting windy and i can tell they're cold as they tend to avoid free ranging and huddle in a corner when its not sunny. Is knitting jumpers a good way to keep them warm or can they get too warm??

 

[R2elk]

Ive got three bantams and I was just wondering how cold is too cold for them. Its only November and its already getting to 1 degree celcius. Plus its getting windy and i can tell they're cold as they tend to avoid free ranging and huddle in a corner when its not sunny. Is knitting jumpers a good way to keep them warm or can they get too warm??

Chickens grow feathers to keep their body temperatures regulated. They are not meant to be clothed and do not need clothes made for them.

1°C or approximately 34°F is not cold to a chicken. A long time ago I did have bantams, I did not clothe them, I did not provide them with heat and they did fine in temperatures down to -30°F (-34°C).

You aren't even down to freezing yet.

 

[Differentiation]

Chickens grow feathers to keep their body temperatures regulated. They are not meant to be clothed and do not need clothes made for them.

1°C or approximately 34°F is not cold to a chicken. A long time ago I did have bantams, I did not clothe them, I did not provide them with heat and they did fine in temperatures down to -30°F (-34°C).

You aren't even down to freezing yet.

Cool. Thanks!

 

[sylviethecochin]

What sort of bantams? You may have to provide a heat source, based on your description. Non-cold hardy breeds include seramas and sebrights, especially when they're young. Most chickens have no problem with cold weather, and my OEGBs and Cochins (bantams) are currently foraging outside.

The problem with chicken sweaters is that they actually push down on the fluff, getting rid of the "dead air space" that is chicken insulation. And a looser sweater that avoids that problem is either going to come off or get the chicken caught on something.

 

[PirateGirl]

chickens need to be able to puff up their feathers to trap air and keep warm, with clothing of sorts it will prevent them from being able to do this and regulate their own temperature... they could actually end up colder with clothing than without

 

[Differentiation]

What sort of bantams? You may have to provide a heat source, based on your description. Non-cold hardy breeds include seramas and sebrights, especially when they're young. Most chickens have no problem with cold weather, and my OEGBs and Cochins (bantams) are currently foraging outside.

The problem with chicken sweaters is that they actually push down on the fluff, getting rid of the "dead air space" that is chicken insulation. And a looser sweater that avoids that problem is either going to come off or get the chicken caught on something.

I see...yea Ive got cochins so they should be alright.

 

[JaeG]

Can you stack some straw bales around some of the run to give them a sheltered place where they can get out of the wind?

 

[Differentiation]

Can you stack some straw bales around some of the run to give them a sheltered place where they can get out of the wind?

Yes Ive considered that. Gonna do that soon

 

[Chickassan]

I want you to knit at least one for the cuteness factor.

 

[Differentiation]

I want you to knit at least one for the cuteness factor.

YEEESSS! Literally imagined my cochin in a sweater and it was too cute!