Keeping a Single Australorp

[Jenny Hershey]

Hello!
After a few years of a typical coop situation and 4 hens, we are down to a happy, single black australorp in Cincinnati, Ohio. She's going on 7 years old. We're not *planning* on continuing to keep hens, thus her single status. She is happy to bop around the yard and keeps company with our dog, cats, and kids. She sleeps in a cat carrier, which she chose over the coop! We have been talking her inside the house at night, to be sure about predator safety.

Here's the question: is it possible to keep her acclamated to the Ohio winter, while letting her sleep in the house, which is around 65 degrees? Is that similar to the temp she'd be if another hen were supplying the warmth?

The cat carrier is outside on the porch for her during the day, and she rests there at times, but I think we'll have to make a better shelter for her before the colder temps arrive.
I welcome suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

Australops are very cold hardy breeds.

That would be fine! She won't freeze to death! Our Australorps never do.

 

[Jenny Hershey]

Australops are very cold hardy breeds.

That would be fine! She won't freeze to death! Our Australorps never do.

Thanks! I was wondering if putting her in the warm house at night would keep her from acclamating to the cold days outside?

 

[21hens-incharge]

I think it could interfere.

Is she able to be inside if you get a cold snap that lasts a week?
How long has she been alone(ish)?

Here in Colorado we get some brutally cold spells. It can go a week or more never going much above zero. I would not think she could handle much of zero to sixty five then back to zero.

Just my thoughts on it.
Making it to seven is pretty awesome. She may have several more years in her still. Just something to consider.

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

Yes. I would keep her inside at night if you can, but if you can't, put her in the coop and lock the door to keep cold air from blowing in.

 

[Jenny Hershey]

I think it could interfere.

Is she able to be inside if you get a cold snap that lasts a week?
How long has she been alone(ish)?
Here in Colorado we get some brutally cold spells. It can go a week or more never going much above zero. I would not think she could handle much of zero to sixty five then back to zero.

Just my thoughts on it.
Making it to seven is pretty awesome. She may have several more years in her still. Just something to consider.

She was on her own for 6 months maybe, then she had a friend last for last fall and winter. Raccoons got her, unfortunately, which was totally our fault
She's been single again since spring. We could set up a dog crate inside for her, or do make a modified shelter on the porch.
We're glad to care for her as long as she lives. She was laying for us up until this fall!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I think a shelter on the porch would be better then a crate inside. She will feather up better and be able to be more protected from wind and snow.
Bummer about her friend and the predator.

She will likely lay again in the spring.

 

[Jenny Hershey]

I think a shelter on the porch would be better then a crate inside. She will feather up better and be able to be more protected from wind and snow.
Bummer about her friend and the predator.

She will likely lay again in the spring.[/QUO
Hopefully she'll be able to feather up this late in the season, though... since she's been indoors at night so far. And... she's moulting a bit lately, which seems like bad timing.

 

[Jenny Hershey]

Trying again...
Hopefully she'll be able to feather up this late in the season, since she's been indoors at night so far... And she's been moulting a bit lately, which is bad timing

 

[21hens-incharge]

She has time yet to feather up. I have had leghorns even that dropped nearly every feather in November but made it well enough. My birds are just now really getting into molting. We have been down to 14 at night already.
I think she will get the feathers in before it gets to cold.