[Lorie]

With the weather getting colder ,should we swop the bedding in coup fromm wood shavings to hay/straw for better insulation and warmth...is there a preferance?

[SMD66]

Hens have they feather duvets for warmth, if they roost on a perch bedding choice makes no difference at all to them.  If they roost in nest boxes then they are very naughty gitls, but still have a feather duvet to keep them warm.

Incidently, last week ours had been playing out too long and the pop hole shut with some of them on the wrong side of it.  I searched with a torch and found all but one of them nearby so decided to use the thermal imaging camera that hubby uses for work to find the last one.  I used it first on the ones in the shed to see what the image looked like and the only bit that showed up warm was the head.  All the feathered bits were showing a lot colder which showed me just how well insulated they really are and the reason why they tuck their heads under their wings, amazing!

[grumpydad]

just try to have a thicker layer on the floor to poop pick from.

[Sassy]

Agree with SMD66. Note hay should not be used as the spores and dust it creates are bad for the chucks. I have also read that if eaten it can stick in their crops as the pieces are long - hope that makes sense!

[grumpydad]

if you can, try changing to hemcore or easibed, both available from equestrian centres or good agricultural merchants, i have found them better than shavings, as they dont turn to dust when the chucks walk on them

[themagicaltoad1]

My naughty girls insist on sleeping in the nest boxes, I've given them extra straw and taken the divider out so they can snuggle up. My wife, (who was adamant we weren't getting chickens and now loves them to bits), actually suggested last night that I brought them into the dining room in a nice cosy box as it was so cold! Maybe she's just trying to get them nearer to being ON the dining table lol.

[SMD66]

I will get OH to download a thermal image of chooks at night, you will be amazed!  (I will start a new thread so as not to hijack this one tho)

[Chookster]

I will get OH to download a thermal image of chooks at night, you will be amazed!  (I will start a new thread so as not to hijack this one tho)

...  :tongue2:can't wait to see this!