[Vickie & Richard]

As a newcomer, i was wondering do i need provide my girls anything special for the Winter months??  Do they need a heat lamp? or is this just for chicks?  Extra bedding??  I have now covered the run so they aren't so wet all the time, and they free range whenever i can allow myself an hour or two in the garden watching them.  I am happy with give them some warm snacks in the winter, got some porridge ready!

[Roughlee Handled]

Interesting question I would love to know the answer.  I think it may be no, treat as per normal.  Buy the way the next months practical poultry magazine will be answering the "winter"questions.
Look forward to seeing the answers.

[Bodger]

No heat or extra bedding required,  thats why they have a good layer of feathers but extra light in the morning and in the evening will keep them laying for you.

[Roughlee Handled]

............................... extra light in the morning and in the evening will keep them laying for you.

When you say extra light do you mean in the coop or out side?

[Foxy]

in additon, I check the houses are all draught free -chickens cope well with the cold as Bodger says they have lovely fluffy feathers for that! But they dont like cold draughts or damp cold bedding.
When it gets really cold though I give them mixed corn in the afternoons to help warm them through the night.
I dont give extra light tho.

[Bodger]

You need extra light in the coop. Its best that you have a kind of dimmer switch, so that it first comes and then goes off gradually. You are trying to fool them over what season it is.

[Roughlee Handled]

and where would one purchase such a device and what would one cost, or how would one bodge it?

[Bodger]

Check with your electrical wholesaler, I'm sure that they sell such things and it will be much more cheaper than the rip off poultry suppliers that you see advertised in the various smallholding type magazines.

[Roughlee Handled]

I had to have a chuckle at your "small holding" jibe.  It would have to be 12v as well for me and have a timer.

[Roughlee Handled]

Ok did a bit of surfing and came up with this plan.
Down side ~ no dimming
Plus side only uses 2 aaa battery's  
use this device
http://www.r3uk.com/index.php/home/39-cool-projects/66-the-solar-panel-project-chapter-6-timer-control
(wired to the remote and may be a IP rated switch to over ride.)
 to operate this
http://www.solarshop.co.uk/solar-mate-point-5.htm

What are your thoughts?

[Roughlee Handled]

Just thought this may be useful to all of us just a light for the winter.

http://www.solarshop.co.uk/solar-mate-point-5.htm

[Vember]

I always put the tv & dvd player back in the coop about now, winter nights are sooo long for the girls  

[Roughlee Handled]

Lots of raspberry's coming your way.

[Vember]

   

Sorry  :oops:

[Roughlee Handled]

Well my girls will be most upset they told me that your lot have got a PS3!!!  There not gona be getting that now are they!!!!