[Suze_w]

Hello to you all!
I'm new to the forum, and chicken keeping, so would welcome some tips for looking after my 3 ex batt chooks (Amy, Dora and Olive) during the winter.  My main concern is that in a few weeks time I'll be out at work from the the dark morning to the dark evening! What do I do about daily de-pooping of the house? Will it upset the chooks if I put a light on and clean up? I'd love to hear how others manage.

Another concern is hen house ventilation. There are no vents in the house and up till now I've left the pophole open, but will be closing it at night when the weather turns colder. (I started off with a combined house/run, but have built a larger, roofed - and fox proofed - run around it as it seemed a bit small). I've thought of drilling a few holes above head height? Would that be sufficient? I don't want the ventilation to become a draught!
All ideas welcome!

Cheers

Suze

[hillfooter]

Hello to you all!
I'm new to the forum, and chicken keeping, so would welcome some tips for looking after my 3 ex batt chooks (Amy, Dora and Olive) during the winter.  My main concern is that in a few weeks time I'll be out at work from the the dark morning to the dark evening! What do I do about daily de-pooping of the house? Will it upset the chooks if I put a light on and clean up? I'd love to hear how others manage.  Do it at the weekends, daily poo picking shouldn't be necessary if your house design is good.  Droppings areas under perches should not be available for birds to pick in.  If they are you should consider modifying the design.  Putting a light on shouldn't be a problem

Another concern is hen house ventilation. There are no vents in the house and up till now I've left the pophole open, but will be closing it at night when the weather turns colder. (I started off with a combined house/run, but have built a larger, roofed - and fox proofed - run around it as it seemed a bit small). I've thought of drilling a few holes above head height? Would that be sufficient? I don't want the ventilation to become a draught!  This needs to be fixed and holes of 3cm or so will be needed above head height and baffling then with an external baffle plate spaced off the house by 3 cms or so will prevent drirect draughts.  Or use a heavy polythene curtain asa stop gap measure.  Best of luck HF
All ideas welcome!

Cheers

Suze

[Suze_w]

Thanks HF - I didn't think of a baffle to prevent draughts - should be easy enough to do!  The poo picking won't be insurmountable either methinks.  I shall miss seeing my chooks during the week though

Thanks again

Suze