Minimum temps for bantams

Hello Kat,
I will take some photos today, whether or not I can post them is another matter, I have tried before on this forum and find it impossible to do. However a visit from a granddaughter (or two) might do the trick.
 
valeriebutterley said:
Hello KK,
Mine are about 6 weeks and 8.5 weeks, I just had to take the chance as they are so well feathered, and they will not get wet as it is a run/hut that my son had added a roof to, they are still in happy twitter stage and yesterday for the first time and again today they are down the ladder.
They feathered up so quickly and beautifully they are almost circular - they really are balls of fluff, and I do not think they are in danger from the cold, I could put them in the garage, but one year water froze in there, so perhaps when they roost the addition of Sweetie's body heat will be enough, hopefully.
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Your bantams are still under 10 weeks old and as the forecast for the next few days is for below freezing temperatures overnight with not much improvement by day are you sure that they will still be okay outside at such a young age?
 
Hello 3441 Sussex,
I can only hope and cross my fingers and make sure everything is bone dry for them. I think their feathers are great insulation, probably all they need.
It is a small roost and dry and Sweetie, who seems to have taken on the role of foster mother is a big, but very dainty girl, being a Leghorn cross.
The only other place I can put them in is the garage, which I have realised in the past is v.v cold, water freezes in there. Like all roosting birds
they are snuggled together.
I have in the past lost a Silkie to the cold and vowed no more Silkies without heated quarters for the Winter.
 
Just out of interest - I've just rigged up some heating in the roosting box with a 'Will hi Digital Temperature Controller WH7016' from Amazon and a beer heater belt (about 60W). Its set to heat at 2 degrees C and off at 3 degrees so its just to keep it above freezing in there. I got the controller and belt for beer making some time ago. You have to put the controller in a box for input and output and to keep it tidy but very accurate and much cheaper than the equivalent ready made unit (like £20 instead of a couple of hundred) Only problem, instructions in Chinese but fairly easy to figure out.
 
valeriebutterley said:
I have in the past lost a Silkie to the cold and vowed no more Silkies without heated quarters for the Winter.
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… but then you hatched out chicks in the winter without providing them with heated quarters. I am sure your little bantams are more susceptible to the cold than the Silkies.
 
My babies are very special littlies, the first ever from my cockerel and his ladies. Very hardy, healthy chicks phenominally fast growing and feathering up, otherwise I could not have kept them.
Silkies do not have a built in duvet like Pekins or other hens, their feathers are barbless and of a type of silk. They do not like cold or damp.
It was an adult Silkie that died a few years ago now.
We do not have a built in duvet, we do not like the discomfort of cold weather.
My babies are as snug as I can make them, they are in a dry, draught free roost, with the additional warmth of their built in foster mother, Sweetie.
I have a friend who has a neighbour who has a flock of black Leghorns who free range in her garden and free roost at night, no hut involved as far as I know.
As Marigold so rightly says they have been doing it for probably millions (certainly thousands) of years, and coping well - that is not to say we do not want the best for them, but hens are hardy and highly intelligent creatures and will certainly let us know if aught is wrong.
Another "Marigoldy" - I made a warm chick crumb mash tonight, it vanished! Sweetie also had her fair share and loved it.
 
rick said:
Just out of interest - I've just rigged up some heating in the roosting box with a 'Will hi Digital Temperature Controller WH7016' from Amazon and a beer heater belt (about 60W). Its set to heat at 2 degrees C and off at 3 degrees so its just to keep it above freezing in there. I got the controller and belt for beer making some time ago. You have to put the controller in a box for input and output and to keep it tidy but very accurate and much cheaper than the equivalent ready made unit (like £20 instead of a couple of hundred) Only problem, instructions in Chinese but fairly easy to figure out.
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Hi Rick, I've replied to this on the other thread you started yesterday.
 
I've always avoided bantams in the past but now have 4 Ardenner bantams (1 cock, 3 hens hatched in May) in a pen & hut of their own and so far apart from being a bit more grumpy with me, as if it's my fault it's minus-something-silly at night, and slightly less enthusiastic than usual about leaving the hut first thing in the morning, they are fine. I agree, de-icing the drinker is crucial, but then it is for everyone else. If it's windy they just go back inside.
 
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