We are getting some pretty decent cold over next couple days. What will make this particularly challenging is the wind. Many of my birds are outside so if can be really tough on them if proper changes to their keep not made. Wind blocks were setup just a bit ago, yet the chickens complained about their feet either keeping one up in feathers or sitting in windless spot. They complain even when temperature is in the low 20's. I put at least a leaf of hay in every pen. Immediately most of the birds went to sit on the hay and hunker down on it to stay warm. I positioned hay out of wind yet in well lit location. They can retreat to it when not roosting or feeding so that means most of the day. They also buddy up on the stuff to conserve heat.
The straw/heat does not conduct heat away from the birds feet making heat conservation easier that standing on packed soil, concrete or even wood of the roost pole. When the birds are in larger groups it allows them to bunch up like cattle to further restrict heat loss.
The straw/heat does not conduct heat away from the birds feet making heat conservation easier that standing on packed soil, concrete or even wood of the roost pole. When the birds are in larger groups it allows them to bunch up like cattle to further restrict heat loss.
