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Archive for November, 2011

A Guide for Chicken Houses and Runs

Friday, November 18th, 2011

Although the end of September peppered us with a late flurry of summer, winter seems to have well and truly set in with the windy and wet weather scattering much of the country. It’s this time of year that you need to ensure that your chicken houses are well protected, safe and secure. To help, our team here at Cotswold Chickens have put together a helpful guide of how to look after your chickens throughout winter through to spring next year.

Housing:

Whilst you and your family are sat in-front of the fire or with the central heating warming up the house, think about your chickens outside in their coop. As this is where they’ll be spending the majority of their team, it’s important to make sure that it’s in the best condition for them.

Before the frost starts to settle in and prevent you from getting out with your garden equipment and carrying out garden work whilst your chickens roam free, we recommend checking the coops for any draughts or leaks, whilst also making sure that the ventilation is above head height. For added protection purchase our coop covers.

Runs:

Due to the ground likely to be either frozen, solid or waterlogged due to the winter weather, it’ll be difficult for your flock of feathery friends to enjoy the freedom that they experienced during the summer months. But this doesn’t mean that you should keep them cooped up in their homes until 2012; instead fit a chicken run onto the coop and allow them to go in and out as they please.

Here at Cotswold Chickens we have a range of chicken runs available, including the Windsor and Broughton runs.

The Windsor model is a 6foot by 6foot by 3foot mesh run complete with a front opening door and hinged top, which enables easy access for you to clean the area, whilst also providing enough room for your birds to roam. If you’re looking for something a bit smaller, then the Broughton run could be perfect as it is 6foot by 3foot by 3foot, with a small pop hold which will allow chickens to gain safe access from their coop.
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If you’d like more information as to how to pick the perfect chicken houses for your birds this winter contact our team here at Cotswold Chickens by calling 01608.

Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Cotswold Chickens. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Cotswold Chickens, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

How to Keep Chickens in the Winter

Friday, November 4th, 2011

If this is your first winter with your new feathered friends, it’s understandable to be worried about whether there are certain measures to take to ensure their continued health when the snow comes and the temperature drops below freezing. They may be covered in beautiful feathers, but it doesn’t stop them feeling the cold – which is why we at Cotswold Chickens have devised this ‘how to’ guide, to ensure that your chickens are happy all year long.

Step One: Check the Coop

‘Home sweet home’ is a saying we commonly refer to when speaking of our own abode and like us, chickens do not like cold drafts blowing through their home. To prevent feathers being ruffled, check the coop thoroughly for any drafts and leaks. To increase your chicken’s comfort we always recommend that you invest in a premade coop which is water tight, rather than trying to make one yourself. You don’t need heat pumps to keep them warm, just a well-built chicken coop.

Top Tip: If you have an old piece of carpet lying around the house, cover it in plastic and secure it to the roof of your chickens’ coop. This acts as extra insulation and ensures that drafts and leaks are avoided.

Step Two: Prevent Frostbite

Chickens are more affected by the heat than the cold, yet the one concern which plagues many chicken keepers is frostbite. To prevent your chickens from getting frostbite there are a few steps to take. The first is to add extra straw in the coop, so that your chickens have something to snuggle down into. The second is to clear out daily any droppings, so your chickens remain happy.

Top Tip: Place Vaseline on the ear tips, wattle and comb to prevent frostbite.

If you need a little guidance on how to keep your chickens happy all year round then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Cotswold Chickens. We are always happy to help, and we have a vast selection of chicken coops which are ideal for the upcoming winter months. Visit our website for more information.

Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Cotswold Chickens. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Cotswold Chickens, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.