Not sure if this is the correct thread, but found 2 of my hens dead this morning. *trigger warning, picture*

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

I used a regular light bulb for heat for a few nights when the red bulb burnt out and it was a huge difference in behaviour. The stopped laying, broke what few eggs got laid, slept in the day, and attacked each other. It is a lot of crankiness for a few nights of poor sleep! When I realized I put in a small space heater until I could get a bulb, and now I use the heater when two bulbs would be necessary. I witnessed an act of violence between hens and just panicked, it was horrible. Better to be in darkness at night.

 

[eapxo12]

I used a regular light bulb for heat for a few nights when the red bulb burnt out and it was a huge difference in behaviour. The stopped laying, broke what few eggs got laid, slept in the day, and attacked each other. It is a lot of crankiness for a few nights of poor sleep! When I realized I put in a small space heater until I could get a bulb, and now I use the heater when two bulbs would be necessary. I witnessed an act of violence between hens and just panicked, it was horrible. Better to be in darkness at night.

yes we are definitely going to be leaving the lights off during the night now, and hopefully no more losses. I am devastated we lost our two beautiful hens. we are also planning on putting windows in asap now, we originally had planned to put windows in but just didn't get around to it. I hated to part with my rooster, so we were going to make another pen / coop for him, hopefully we wont have to now and they will all just be fine and no more fatalities.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

*hugs* it is hard to love something so fragile. Take care of your heart. You are very kind. You did everything, this is just nature and things happen no matter how careful we are. Your loss will likely save countless other birds because you posted. I would not worry about the windows, you let them out during the day and at night a window is just a cold spot. I know NFLD is cold, I am in Quebec and we put in some windows (recycled house windows) on the coop, it is pretty, but it is colder at night close to the windows. You can turn on the light when you are in there to clean, and then just turn them off when you put them to bed (or a little dollar-store timer can work, or a solar light that only lasts a few hours). They don't need a view, you have made an amazing home for them already with all that mesh!

 

[aart]

How many birds in that coop?
..and how old are they?

 

[eapxo12]

*hugs* it is hard to love something so fragile. Take care of your heart. You are very kind. You did everything, this is just nature and things happen no matter how careful we are. Your loss will likely save countless other birds because you posted. I would not worry about the windows, you let them out during the day and at night a window is just a cold spot. I know NFLD is cold, I am in Quebec and we put in some windows (recycled house windows) on the coop, it is pretty, but it is colder at night close to the windows. You can turn on the light when you are in there to clean, and then just turn them off when you put them to bed (or a little dollar-store timer can work, or a solar light that only lasts a few hours). They don't need a view, you have made an amazing home for them already with all that mesh!

we have two windows picked up and will be putting them in asap.

 

[eapxo12]

1 rooster, 9 hens.
all about 5-6 months.

 

[aart]

1 rooster, 9 hens.
all about 5-6 months.

Coop looks to have good space for that many.
Guessing it's about 6x10'?
Is coop open to run 24/7?

 

[eapxo12]

Coop looks to have good space for that many.
Guessing it's about 6x10'?
Is coop open to run 24/7?

we shut their doors at night, but they're usually out in the morning until dark. im not sure on the exact measurements, my boyfriend would know more about that lol.

 

[aart]

im not sure on the exact measurements, my boyfriend would know more about that

Girls can use tape measures too

 

[Fontaine]

I will be thinking about you. Let us know how this all works out please. Fingers crossed!