Winter Time

[Big Joe 77]

Hello all,
My question has to do with winter time & keeping my Buff Orp comfortable & warm. I have 1 Buff in a 6'x10' pen. There is a hutch in the pen with wood shavings for her to go lay eggs, but it's not fully enclosed. She sleeps on a roost pole high in the corner of the pen. I have a tarp that covers the entire top of pen & half way down the sides. I bought a light to add some heat due to freeze warning last night & set up near her roost. She seemed to not really like the light, not so much because heat, but more so of the brightness. Is a light necessary, or there other better options or is the tarp sufficient enough???
Thanks,
-Joe

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They need a dark period (like all living things). If grown, they don't need heat of any kind and heat is expensive. They're quite hardy. The roost should be wide enough (about 2") so they can cover their toes at night.

What they do need are friends. Lone chickens don't fare well. They are flock animals and do much better with other chickens. I don't recommend less than 3. Chickens die and if you only had two chickens and one died it would be lonely again.

 

[Big Joe 77]

Thank you. I had 3 other hens that mysteriously died & I haven't had a chance yet to go buy any more, but totally agree that a minimum of 3 for sure. Thanks again.

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Glad to have you join us!

 

[Big Joe 77]

Thanks for the welcome, MsChickenMomma.

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Big Joe 77]

Thank you, liz

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome to BYC!

 

[Big Joe 77]

Hello & thank you Kelsie

 

[roostersandhens]