[Bev]

Hi,

Thanks for your advice about the sneezing and gaping on my other post Joyfull. I haven't seen any more sneezing or gaping from either of them so I think they are ok. I guess they get colds like us. If it does happen again I will take them to the vet.

It made me think though are they warm enough? I just have the 2 hens but my hen house is big enough for 4 or 5 large hens. My two seem to like to cuddle up together in the nest box which I fill with a thick layer of shavings then lots of hay.

I put a thick layer of shavings on the floor of the hen house.

I read the post about looking after chickens in the winter and I wonder if they are too cold in their hen house.

Does anyone wrap their hen house with an extra layer of insulation in the winter? I don't want to block ventilation or encourage mites to get inbetween layers.

Bev

[joyfull]

hens have their own feather duvets, they don't need anything else. For the last couple of years I have had hens sleep outside all year round in the hedges and trees, it hasn't bothered them if it is warn, cold, dry, snowy, rainy or frosty. I have even found them in the mornings with frost on their feathers but they have been found.
The only thing I would say is if they have large combs and wattles is to put a coat of petroleum jelly (Vaseline etc.) on them to help prevent frost bite although I never have and mine have been ok (but they did have small combs).

[themagicaltoad1]

There's about a half inch gap between the bottom of my coop and the slide out tray. In winter I twist  piece of newspaper and stuff it in the gap to stop drafts.

[Debbieta]

Jusst to say, I currently leave the pop hole open 24/7 although will probably start closing it in the next few weeks. The girls perches are above a poop shelf which stops any direct draft and lets them get out first thing.  The only current down side is OH gets to hear the cockerel in the early hours, although he (the cockerel) tends to say his piece and then quietens down for another hour or two (4am sometimes .
I have a feeling I'll being closing the pop hole due to hubby rather than the chickens

[Bev]

Thanks! I will stop worrying then. I wouldn't leave their pop hole open though just incase Mr Fox found his way into my run!

Bev

[Debbieta]

I have to say our run is galvenised wired, slabbed and bolted like colditz so pretty relaxed.  But they always seem to come out really early (sometimes to early for hubby!)