Jocelyne13
Chirping
So winter has come, and it has made this new chicken mom nervous. I have a hen who has not fully feathered out like her siblings. She was one of the first to begin getting her wings etc coming in, and then she just remained on pause. I think I have noticed some recent progress, but essentially she is still half naked compared to the other 13 of the flock who are fully feathered.
As a result, the others have bullied her and she does not sleep near her flock mates. So keeping warm next to the others is not going to happen. Tonight however, I had an idea that I think will help keep her more comfortable. Making a mat to reflect her own body heat back to her.
She sleeps up on a shelf in the coop. I used the lid of a plastic container that is about 12x14 inches, and cut a piece of reflective foil lined bubble wrap that I had on hand to fit on top. I taped the edges well to prevent picking at the foil insulation. When I placed my cold hands on the foil, it wasn’t long before the chill left them. I placed the foil covered lid on her roosting spot, and it is my hope that this will help her cope with the cold until the rest of her feathers come in. I really didn’t want to supplement the coop with heat, or have this hen become too dependent on a heated mat. I figured this option using the foil insulation would be a happy medium.
I welcome any thoughts or comments!
As a result, the others have bullied her and she does not sleep near her flock mates. So keeping warm next to the others is not going to happen. Tonight however, I had an idea that I think will help keep her more comfortable. Making a mat to reflect her own body heat back to her.
She sleeps up on a shelf in the coop. I used the lid of a plastic container that is about 12x14 inches, and cut a piece of reflective foil lined bubble wrap that I had on hand to fit on top. I taped the edges well to prevent picking at the foil insulation. When I placed my cold hands on the foil, it wasn’t long before the chill left them. I placed the foil covered lid on her roosting spot, and it is my hope that this will help her cope with the cold until the rest of her feathers come in. I really didn’t want to supplement the coop with heat, or have this hen become too dependent on a heated mat. I figured this option using the foil insulation would be a happy medium.
I welcome any thoughts or comments!