Wool hen- Anyone else?

[Eckielady]

I don't know why these aren't more popular. Being off grid, it's been amazing for us. No power usage. Anyone else using one right now?
We have 15 chicks in here. 3 silkies, 4 Cochins, 2 golden sebrights, 3 OEGH, 1 Ameraucauna, 1 EE and a barnyard mix from a mama I just loved.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have considered but not yet pursued a wool hen. Partly because I don't own any wool.

It's a great idea... and I just love how you kept yours simple and used a bucket!

This season the girls are doing a great job raising the chicks...

What are the temperature ranges you have used it in so far?

 

[lazy gardener]

OP: more details please. What are you using for fabric, size of strips? Did you use it from fresh out of the incubator/shipping box date? How old are they now? And ambient high/low temps in their coop/brooder space. TY.

 

[Eckielady]

I have considered but not yet pursued a wool hen. Partly because I don't own any wool.

It's a great idea... and I just love how you kept yours simple and used a bucket!

This season the girls are doing a great job raising the chicks...

What are the temperature ranges you have used it in so far?

I think our coldest temperature has been in the 50's. They have been moved outside as of yesterday and of course it's chilly and raining today. They will NOT use the wool hen during the day, even if they're cold so if I ever feel they are too chilled I'll throw a hand warmer in there and they love it. They also have a stuffed giraffe in there and they adore that thing.

 

[Eckielady]

Our first wool was an old suit we found at goodwill. Easy place to find some.

 

[lazy gardener]

Our first wool was an old suit we found at goodwill. Easy place to find some.

Love the Mama Giraffe pic. How old are they now? Any issues with the wool fraying? Did you do anything to felt it?

 

[Eckielady]

Love the Mama Giraffe pic.  How old are they now?  Any issues with the wool fraying?  Did you do anything to felt it?  

So far it's holding up well. I lined the back and bottom/sides also to keep as much warmth in there as possible. I wish they would go in during the day when it's chilly (like now) but they cuddle for awhile and then go back to practicing their flying skills. They are all around 2.5 weeks old.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So far it's holding up well. I lined the back and bottom/sides also to keep as much warmth in there as possible. I wish they would go in during the day when it's chilly (like now) but they cuddle for awhile and then go back to practicing their flying skills. They are all around 2.5 weeks old.

Ya, that would make me a little uncomfortable. Guess I would pay attention to the peeps.

LG, great questions!

Also... 15 chicks is often the shipping minimum to share warmth. So with fewer chicks that wouldn't go inside they might not warm enough by huddling during the day.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope to see results from somebody who broods around 30 degrees with this.

Also, when I first get into bed... it's very cold. Makes me wonder if they don't quite recognize it as a warm place. Wonder if putting the hand warmer in there for them to seek the warmth would encourage them during the day?

 

[Eckielady]

Ya, that would make me a little uncomfortable. Guess I would pay attention to the peeps.

LG, great questions!

Also... 15 chicks is often the shipping minimum to share warmth. So with fewer chicks that wouldn't go inside they might not warm enough by huddling during the day.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope to see results from somebody who broods around 30 degrees with this.

Also, when I first get into bed... it's very cold. Makes me wonder if they don't quite recognize it as a warm place. Wonder if putting the hand warmer in there for them to seek the warmth would encourage them during the day?

They just don't stay huddled long enough to want to go in there. They huddle for a bit and then they're off doing their thing again. No loud peeping. I'm keeping a close eye on them but they seem pretty happy.

 

[Eckielady]

Bump