Hello eveyone, I have two bantams which i keep in the backyard..but lately I've been worrying that it may be too cold for them out there. They always peck and shout at the the door until i let them in...but i don't know if it's because of the cold...because they have always wanted to run into the house and beg for food. At night they sleep in an old kitty litter box that's stuffed with old shirts and other materials. One is a mille fleur and the other is a brahma silkie mix, i think. Is there anything i could do to keep them warmer at night? I can't afford anything extravegant. Also, the older mille fleur has started to lay eggs . Is it ok to keep them in the litter box together still..i bought the second chick just so that they could warm each other up at night.

Thanks in advance.

-- D of CA (Muhawi001@hotmail.com), November 27, 2001

Answers

Is there box inside or outside? Can I ask what kind of climate you are in? Montana or Missouri? ;) I think they like being spoiled. Thats ok too. Be sure to provide fresh water that isn't frozen. Heated water dishes are under $25 and run on electric. They probably like being together, albeit a small 'flock'.

Tell me more about their housing and I can give you some more specific ideas.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), November 27, 2001.

It gets down to the teens here some winter nights. I do not use heat nor lights. My wire pens have tarps on the roofs and 3 sides. The birds always have feed in their hoppers. I don't feed anything from my kitchen. They free range during the day. With the right diet, the birds stay warm at night. I've never had a sick bird.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), November 27, 2001.

Im trying to keep them outside at night. They've been out there since summer. Is there some sort of heat pad out there that you could keep on for 24 hours? i dunno...sounds like a silly idea.

-- D of CA (Muhawi@aol.com), November 28, 2001.

Oh, I am so slow. You are "of CA" so I guess you're in California. Just put a roost in an enclosed box-structure to give them the option of snuggling off the ground. Put straw or pine shavings inside thickly. This will be plenty warm enough.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), November 28, 2001.

You let your chickens in the house at night on accounta you think that they're cold. Then you ask, "Is there anything I can do to keep them warmer?" The only thing I can think of is to let them crawl in bed with you at night. That oughta do the trick! --Happy trails

-- Cabin Fever (cabinfever_mn@yahoo.com), November 28, 2001.

As long as the area the sleep is free of drafts and dry they'll have no problem. those are the 2 main things.

You can feed them some cracked corn or scratch before the go to bed & that will help their body to generate heat through the night. I would be very cautious of using a heating pad.

-- Buk Buk (bukabuk@hotmail.com), November 28, 2001.