Freezing Temperatures

[victorias poultry]

Worried about my birds, -16c last night, been -4c all day, went to shut hens up at 4pm and was already -6c!!!!
Struggled with keeping the water from freezing, having to put buckets of boiling water in a wheelbarrow and take down into the paddock 4 times today. Lost one of my old polish this morning aswell
Weather on local news says will be -19c tonight!!!! Don;t think my birds can stand much more of this cold, the youngsters don;t seem to bad but some of the old girls are starting to look "cold".

 

[snifter]

I tend to bring in any birds that I feel are vunerable when its really cold. I just leave them in the bathroom or one of the rooms that have the heater turned down so its not overly warm or anything, but far from freezing for them. I'd never keep them in the noramlly heated house as I don't think it does them any favours in the long term. But a cool room, indoors is fine. I just used travel boxes or cardboard boxed for this, some shavings and they were fine.

 

[Anne W]

Just talking about that - I was saying the same - don't know how long they are going to be able to hold out. The poor ducks kept walking a bit ..sitting ...walking ... sitting and then just sat down. Of course their feet being webbed have more contact with the freezing ground . The turkeys look miserable -not least bacause I have shut them in their run. The poor chucks are aren't venturing out of their run and some are hardly coming out of their house . Only the geese seem to be coping. I live in Oxfordshire and it was - 18 last night - the coldest in the country apparently and is set to drop further tonight. Wish I had a building to put them all in - but it would have to be huge.

 

[Lucylou]

Hi Snifter, I'm glad you've mentioned this as I've been wondering whether to bring my little 'moth eaten' one (she's moulting ) out of the cold. She was shivering today & I've been so worried about her. They get all sorts of warming food & have shelter but today especially the wind was blowing from all directions & I saw her actually shivering. She was cuddled up between 2 others on the perch tonight so hopefully they'll keep her warm to sleep.

Do you put yours outside again during the day? I was thinking of putting her in the garden shed for the night in a box,it would be warmer than their house or do you think it should be even warmer like indoors?

Funnily enough she's started being very aggressive towards the others & particularly the 2 smallest & I was thinking I would have to separate her. She established top position from day 1 but lately she's like a ferocious beast with the others! Maybe this would be a way of a temporary separation.

 

[snifter]

The shed isn't going to be any warmer than outside tbh. I'd be inclined to bring her into the house and leave her in a cool room. Not a hot one with a radiator or anything, just a bathroom or a utility room or some such. Hallway even. A few of mine have spent the night by the coatrack in the past. And yes, back outside in the day, hence not having it hot for them overnight, not so much of a shock when going back outside for a bit.

 

[Lucylou]

Thanks snifter. I'll see how she is tomorrow & bring her indoors tomorrow night if its still this cold (more snow forecast tonight !)

 

[victorias poultry]

I tend to bring in any birds that I feel are vunerable when its really cold. I just leave them in the bathroom or one of the rooms that have the heater turned down so its not overly warm or anything, but far from freezing for them. I'd never keep them in the noramlly heated house as I don't think it does them any favours in the long term. But a cool room, indoors is fine. I just used travel boxes or cardboard boxed for this, some shavings and they were fine.

Hi Snifter
I have got about 20 "old girls" that must be about 12 - 14 years old now, the youngsters are all in a large shed. The oldies hate this cold weather.

Sue