[Bilbo67]

Hi all,
I have had my girls since April, With winter coming up i'm trying to get prepared . So the questions I have got are I am feeding my girls on layers pellets, But I what do i feed them through the winter malt? At the moment they are on a poultry drink with vitamins in Is there another I can use through the malt or am I still okay to use this any advice will be gratefull.

[joyfull]

Some people like to give their hens a little bit of fish flavoured cat food to give them some extra protein during their moult or you could give them a little bit of scrambled egg (no milk in it though) or chopped boiled egg if you wish. I never bother but sometimes will add life guard tonic to their water.
If it is very frosty or snowy I make mine some porridge - made up with water - and give them this to warm them up or you could make their layers into a porridge as well.

[carolbriar]

Some people use poultry spice to help them during a moult.  Mine haven't moulted yet but will give them poultry spice as per instructions on the package and I also give mine warm mash made with layers and hot water.  They seem to prefer this to porridge which I made for them originally.  I am still fairly new to chicken keeping so will be waiting to see what happens during the moult.  I still don't understand why they don't have them during the summer when it is warmer.

[joyfull]

because where they originate from our winter is not the same time as theirs.

[Jeanette]

When it is really cold i give mine a nice warm breakfast.  All it is is layeras pellets and hot water and they would take your arm of to get it. The other thing i do is to put vasaline on the combs when it is freezing. The last thing i do and i dont know why but i put an old duvet over the coup. Please dont laugh to much i know i am daft.

[joyfull]

don't block any ventilation holes when you do this. Also remember the chickens come with their own feather duvet so really don't need another one 

[8doubles]

don't block any ventilation holes when you do this. Also remember the chickens come with their own feather duvet so really don't need another one 

I just had a quick but unsuccessful search for the infra red heat photo of the chicken that was posted last year. It really showed how good the hens natural duvet is.

[Bilbo67]

thankyou all for your comments and taking time out to answer me i will try to find an old duvet lol 

[orchardlady]

A couple of things I do for my girls.

When they start to malt I change their food to growers pellets as this gives them an extra boost and as they slow down on egg production it gives them the opportunity to grow better feathers.

I put a dash of Apple Cider Vinegar in their water to keep their tummies happy.

I feed plenty of greens if available. It alleviates boredom and is good for them.

Porridge is wonderful.

Lastly and please don't laugh. My family think I'm bonkers but I prefer the expression eccentric. I use on old stoneware hot water bottle. I place it inside the coop on very very  cold nights. It just takes the edge of the cold. They can be bought from e bay fairly cheaply or try Freecycle in your area.

[joyfull]

Keep a check on their drinkers as the water will freeze, the water in mine gets changed twice a day in winter when it's really harsh.

[themagicaltoad1]

I have one of those stone hot water bottles, problem is they don't stay warm for very long. The girls huddle up together when it gets really cold and I put a bit of straw in the coop for them.

[Sue33]

our girls have old-fashioned "mash" in the winter, boil up your veggie peelings with some added bran or oats, they go mad for it