MJ's little flock

[RoyalChick]

How's the storm playing out? I hope it's not too serious.

It just started sleeting here. The Princesses weren't too keen on being outside so I locked up early. I have converted over to the heated water base but I didn't yet close up the big people door to the run or close the baffles. I don't think it is going to be too windy so it should be OK even though both Sylvie and Bernie are half naked.

 

[Shadrach]

It just started sleeting here. The Princesses weren't too keen on being outside so I locked up early. I have converted over to the heated water base but I didn't yet close up the big people door to the run or close the baffles. I don't think it is going to be too windy so it should be OK even though both Sylvie and Bernie are half naked.

Looks like despite my pessimism it looks like the allotment lot timed their moults to the wire. It dropped to -2C recently and it's been cold since.
No one is going to convince me chickens don't notice the cold. Henry hates it.
He goes to roost once he's had supper, often up to half an hour before the rest. Carbon has taken to going in with him recently.

 

[MaryJanet]

Looks like despite my pessimism it looks like the allotment lot timed their moults to the wire. It dropped to -2C recently and it's been cold since.
No one is going to convince me chickens don't notice the cold. Henry hates it.
He goes to roost once he's had supper, often up to half an hour before the rest. Carbon has taken to going in with him recently.

RC was also saying they notice the cold (but would be warm enough). I'm lucky because the winters aren't very cold at all so I know the hens are ok. I worry about summer, although I needn't now I have cooling worked out.

 

[RoyalChick]

RC was also saying they notice the cold (but would be warm enough). I'm lucky because the winters aren't very cold at all so I know the hens are ok. I worry about summer, although I needn't now I have cooling worked out.

Yes, I worry about both extremes. You may have seen pictures of the Chicken Palace - it is situated under a big leafy tree so gets the benefit of shade and has good cross breezes when I open up the windows. So far I have found the shade keeps the worst of the summer heat away and on the hottest days I spray it down with water and will resort to a fan if things get really hot.
In the winter I get the benefit of some passive solar heat because the sun is low enough to shine in through the glass (if there is any sun). I do get worried when it gets into the low teens Fahrenheit (say, -10C). I read about all the people who keep chickens in much colder temperatures but I think mine definitely look chilly at night at those temperatures.
This evening was miserable - not super cold, just above freezing - but nasty sideways sleet. The ladies all came in when it started and were preening under the cover of the Chicken Palace roof.

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes, I worry about both extremes. You may have seen pictures of the Chicken Palace - it is situated under a big leafy tree so gets the benefit of shade and has good cross breezes when I open up the windows. So far I have found the shade keeps the worst of the summer heat away and on the hottest days I spray it down with water and will resort to a fan if things get really hot.
In the winter I get the benefit of some passive solar heat because the sun is low enough to shine in through the glass (if there is any sun). I do get worried when it gets into the low teens Fahrenheit (say, -10C). I read about all the people who keep chickens in much colder temperatures but I think mine definitely look chilly at night at those temperatures.
This evening was miserable - not super cold, just above freezing - but nasty sideways sleet. The ladies all came in when it started and were preening under the cover of the Chicken Palace roof.

Preening would improve the thermal efficiency of the feathers.

 

[LozzyR]

This is adorable!

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[BY Bob]

How's the storm playing out? I hope it's not too serious.

Not too bad here. Just like the forecast. A little light rain.

 

[BY Bob]

Looks like despite my pessimism it looks like the allotment lot timed their moults to the wire. It dropped to -2C recently and it's been cold since.
No one is going to convince me chickens don't notice the cold. Henry hates it.
He goes to roost once he's had supper, often up to half an hour before the rest. Carbon has taken to going in with him recently.

Everyone molted early here this year except Lady Featherington she has waited until the very last. It was odd because she molted her neck feathers and then took weeks off before dropping all of her other feathers.

Don't look RC these are from a week ago.

Spoiler: Lady Featherington's Molt

 

[RoyalChick]

Everyone molted early here this year except Lady Featherington she has waited until the very last. It was odd because she molted her neck feathers and then took weeks off before dropping all of her other feathers.

Don't look RC these are from a week ago.

Spoiler: Lady Featherington's Molt

View attachment 3692504View attachment 3692505View attachment 3692506

Oh I definitely needed that warning!
Sooo uncomfortable looking.

 

[RoyalChick]

Hope you don’t mind MJ but I wanted to share what a glorious chicken Tassels has grown up to be.
She is very fluffy and never moves out of the way, so sometimes I have to pick her up to move her aside. Oh the hardship! She doesn’t really like me doing that but I only do it when she just won’t move!