Preparing for the temp drop

[Weeg]

Hey guys, we are supposed to get a low of 18 degrees during the day within the next week. The chicken coop is insulated, I added straw/shavings to the run to cover the snow, so they will probably be good. The ducks on the other hand, don't eve have a real coop.
When I built it, I didn't know much about ducks, so there coop is really just a secure predator proofed wire outdoor dog kennel. It has a roof, but noggin to keep them warm, drafts out or anything.

To prepare them, I borrowed our friends Dogloo, that she used for her goats, but the goats don't use. I grabbed a bunch of hay from her, (she has horses, and we keep our horses with her's in the winter and back and forth in the summer, because her setup is way better. Ours is only temporary for rating pastures when possible) So I borrowed the igloo, which can probably fit all the ducks if they huddle, and I have a large plastic dog crate in the other "coop" we have, which is built the same way as this one. The igloo is stuffed with chopped straw, and so is the crate.
We also have 3 elderly hens with the ducks, so that the rooster doesn't beat them up. I am concerned about one of them in the temp drop. She is between 7-8 years old, is missing a good amount of feathers from the rooster mating her before I separated her, and is recovering from what I believe is a really bad worm infestation. She is skinny, and doesn't have many feathers to keep her warm. She seems warm huddled in the igloo for parts of the day with Sunny, our other elderly hen, but she is in much better shape then Starburst, the hen I am talking about.
I am wondering if I shod bring her in my shop in a kennel when it gets really cold at night. Or, can I bring a sock warmed up with rice out to her? Or do yotuhink she will be okay? I don't want to supplement heat if I don't have to, I understand the problems of that. I just want her to be comfortable during the night. Thanks for your advice! I really hope she gets better with the worming treatment to. Avery

 

[ChicNmom]

She should be warm if she snuggles with the others. Could you also add an extra wind break around the igloo? Some plywood or even a large cardboard box? If you really think it will be too hard on her you could bring her in. Or if she's missing feathers you could rig up some kind of covering with slits for her wings. Something like a hen saddle only more cozy.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Chickens don't share body heat by snuggling like mammals do.

She may be better off in the shop in an airline style dog crate with lots of bedding and a blanket over the top. Not the door just the top to prevent any unforseen drafts.

Keep her water from freezing and remove it at night. Keep her bedding dry and offer plenty of food. OH and if your shop is dark with the door closed be sure to keep a light on during the day or she will think it's night and won't eat.

Are you giving her extras to try to build her back up to a good weight? Extra protein isn't a bad idea for her. If you have a crate big enough maybe her friend should be there with her.

Any way to rig up some sort of temporary bigger pen in the shop for them? If so that would likely make her less freaked out.

 

[ChicNmom]

Chickens don't share body heat by snuggling like mammals do.

Tell that to my cochin frizzles. They have started wedging themselves between the larger hens now while it's been in the single digit temps.

I didn't realize until I read it here that their feathering doesn't keep them that warm in winter. I think they are pretty smart. Plus the body heat from all the chickens keeps the coop decently warm.

 

[Weeg]

Chickens don't share body heat by snuggling like mammals do.

She may be better off in the shop in an airline style dog crate with lots of bedding and a blanket over the top. Not the door just the top to prevent any unforseen drafts.

Keep her water from freezing and remove it at night. Keep her bedding dry and offer plenty of food. OH and if your shop is dark with the door closed be sure to keep a light on during the day or she will think it's night and won't eat.

Are you giving her extras to try to build her back up to a good weight? Extra protein isn't a bad idea for her. If you have a crate big enough maybe her friend should be there with her.

Any way to rig up some sort of temporary bigger pen in the shop for them? If so that would likely make her less freaked out.

Thank you so much! I will give her extra protein, I really need to get some weight on her. Today is her third dose of wormer, so I am really hoping that she will start to gain weight soon. It did seem like she may have had a bit more weigh on her today to, but that could also be me being hopeful.

I have a small wire crate that only her could fit in, but I could easily grab the large plastic crate with bedding already in it from the coop. Two chickens could easily fit in there comfortably. Maybe I will do that tonight, its supposed to get to 18 with 21 MPH winds tonight. I also have a baby gate that I could make a tiny little "run" with in the shop when its really cold during the day, but I could bring her out again during day if its not to cold. I will go set something up of her tonight, thanks for all the help!

 

[Weeg]

She's in now, I gave her and Sunny a dog dish of hot water, with electrolytes, and probiotics. I also gave her some Nutri-drench, and filled the crate up even more with straw. As soon as I put food and water in, she dove on it like she was starving. There is a full feeder out there, and when I feed them, I never see any of the other hens pick on her when she eats. I was almost certain she was getting enough food, but I am second guessing now. I am going to put more bowls of food out, (I would put another feeder out, but bowls will be easier to keep dry since I can put them under cover.)

Other then that, what are your ideas on the best sources for extra protein? I have heard of pumpkin seeds, cat food, cooked eggs, fish, and I am using this article for guidance- https://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/high-protein-chicken-foods.html

 

[21hens-incharge]

Canned cat food is pricey but in handy small size cans.
Don't give a heaping helping. Just a tablespoon a couple times a week is enough to help without hurting.
Many people give some dry kitten food.

I opt for canned mackerel as a protein boost. I have 19 hens though so it gets shared by all of them equalling just a bit for each.

A word of caution about hot water. A thirsty bird will still dunk that beak and can get burned by it. I give room temp or slightly warm but not hot in winter.

I do want to clear up a myth in the link you provided. A hen eating a raw egg will not lead to chronic egg eating. If an egg has a thin shell or is cracked in the nest they will eat it. Mine have for certain. It has yet to create an egg destroying hen here in the 20(ish) years of having chickens.

 

[Weeg]

Canned cat food is pricey but in handy small size cans.
Don't give a heaping helping. Just a tablespoon a couple times a week is enough to help without hurting.
Many people give some dry kitten food.

I opt for canned mackerel as a protein boost. I have 19 hens though so it gets shared by all of them equalling just a bit for each.

A word of caution about hot water. A thirsty bird will still dunk that beak and can get burned by it. I give room temp or slightly warm but not hot in winter.

I do want to clear up a myth in the link you provided. A hen eating a raw egg will not lead to chronic egg eating. If an egg has a thin shell or is cracked in the nest they will eat it. Mine have for certain. It has yet to create an egg destroying hen here in the 20(ish) years of having chickens.

Awesome! Thank you! The water wasn't suer hot, but I will be cautious about that for sure. Thanks for all the help!