How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] A Stray Rooster adopted us...how do we keep him warm in the cold?

Monday, November 1, 2010

Re: [CHICKENS-101] A Stray Rooster adopted us...how do we keep him warm in the cold?

Does he always roost in the same spot? Could you add a flat board above the bar he roosts on? With a round wood dowel, his toes gripping it are still exposed. With a flat board he would hunker down over his toes and keep them warm. But if he has a large comb, that can also freeze. Could you run an electric line up there and rig a red light for warmth? Doesn't have to be a big heat lamp, just a small red herp light.

Or maybe you would want to pen him up over winter? I live in Alabama, so winter to me is a few chilly days. Your mileage obviously varies but I don't know to what degree.

Congratulations on your new farm member.

Georgia

For all your chicken's clothing needs, go to
www.chickensaddlesanddiapers.webs.com

--- On Mon, 11/1/10, Alan-Hope <alanhope356@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Alan-Hope <alanhope356@yahoo.com>
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] A Stray Rooster adopted us...how do we keep him warm in the cold?
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, November 1, 2010, 10:24 PM

Hi All!

New member here. I posted this query to one of my horse forums and it was suggested that I pose the question to you knowledgeable folks.

Rooster wandered into our barn several months ago. We suspect he came from the neighbor over the hill, but they don't seem interested in reclaiming him. Of course after a couple of days we had him named, Doodle-Do, and were bemused by his antics. We were happy to take him in. But what do we do with him?

We've been feeding him chicken scratch. There's plenty of bugs and crawlies for him to find around the barn and hedgerow. We provide several water sources for him. He's convinced the barn cat to leave him alone and our blue heeler knows The Do rules the barn. The horses move out of his way when he strolls through and leave him alone when he makes a little bowl in the dirt to lay at the edge of their run-in.

It's getting colder. What are we going to do with him? He roosts on the metal stall bars along the horses' run-in. Picture here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CHICKENS-101/photos/album/393273214/pic/list It was suggested on the horse forum that his feet could freeze on the metal. But, I believe his roosting up there has saved his life from the coyotes and raccoons that come through.

What are we to do with him in the cold?

Hope - Kansas City, Missouri, USA