[nuzuki]

Im just wondering how gererous to be with the sawdust I give the chickens as the nights are getting colder and maybe they'd appreciate a bit more.

Thanks

[helens-hens]

In my experience the bedding in the hen house is more to collect their droppings in. I must admit in the colder weather I tend to put more straw in (I use a combination of woodshavings & straw - be careful of sawdust as it can lead to respiratory probs if dusty) but that is probably more for my benefit than theirs - it looks cosier!

Hens will normally roost on the perch and huddle together for warmth. Onbe of the most important things is to ensure there are no drafts (they must have ventilation but not drafts).

Hope this helpos

[nuzuki]

Thanks Helen, yes sorry I mean woodshavings not sawdust. I have heard straw can cause mould issues. Currently I dont have a perch in my coop but a bar that divides the nest box and they all perch on there facing into the nest box. I bought some draught proofing strip from a cheapy shop and have some sealant so shall go round checking that the giraffes cant get in 

[GrannieAnnie]

You're right, straw can cause mould issues which can also lead to respiratory diseases like aspergillosis.  And I think that hollow straw can also give the red mite somewhere else to hide.

We only use shavings in our poultry sheds.  But chickens have their own duvets, so we have never thought the need to give them more warmth. 

Think of it.  Chickens in a nice extra warm house overnight.  Cold mornings you let them out.  Surely more chance of them getting ill then, bit like humans with central heating!

[nuzuki]

Thats true Grannieannie. I shall use it sparingly. Out of interest is this weather ok for some 10week old chickens? I still put them in the barn overnight but have a feeling its unnecessary.

[Mrs S]

When it was super cold last year I put a large cardboard box inside the coop, sideways on and put the perch in that. My ventilation is at the top of the house so all this did was ensure there was no draught from the nest box door. Just to put you in the picture, I'm in Yorkshire and we had a fortnight when the temperature did not rise above freezing! Poor little things

[GrannieAnnie]

10 weeks?  They should be fully feathered by now, so best to get them outside while the weather is still reasonably mild, to get hem aclimatized before the cold really sets in.  Otherwise you may be thinking the weather is too cold for them and they'll end up in the barn until the spring!

Mrs S, in our climate, there really is no need for double insulating the coops, after all, the chooks are outside all day when it can be just as cold.

Look at 21st December 2010,  none of our chooks were treated any differently, and indeed joyfull had chooks roosting in her trees, but none of them died of the cold.