We have been having some seriously frosty days recently. The water dish has been frozen in the mornings and I top it up with hot water and then remove the ice. I keep an eye on it during the day to make sure it doesn’t freeze again. It’s in a sheltered spot on the patio so doesn’t freeze solid like the bird bath does.
The good news is that the little girls don’t seem at all bothered by the cold. I was worried about how they would cope with cold conditions but they seem absolutely fine.
I think that it is draughts and wet conditions that bother seramas and as our run has plenty of sheltered areas and is fully roofed it seems that is suiting them okay which is a relief. My research says that if they look hunched and miserable they are cold and our two are very active, always running about or perching on the high branch perches with the bigger girls, which must be less cold for their feet than the frozen ground.
They are eating well and pooping plenty and are generally interested in everything. They run to the treats and absolutely love to be hand fed. I give the girls some spinach leaves every morning and the little girls love me to hold out a leaf for them so that they can peck at it more easily. As soon as I hold out a spinach leaf they come running to me at speed.
This morning I decided to give the girls a dish of warm mash as it was really frosty.
Warm mash on a frosty day
The little girls have the mash to themselves
The little girls are quite brave at attempting the mash while the bigger girls are around the dish but they also have it sussed that they can have the dish to themselves a little later.
These two girls don’t miss out on anything and are totally unfazed by the bigger girls but most of all I am really happy that they also don’t seem at all bothered by the cold. It doesn’t usually get much colder than it is now so I think these little girls will be fine.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
It is fun to watch chickens! I really like your updates! We had a broody hen and a friend gave us three little chicks to put under her. It was marvelous watching them! Except, one is actually a rooster. This will make things even more interesting???? (What is mash? I tried to look it up but got only recipes for whiskey or mashed potatoes)
It is fun watching chickens. I am always afraid of having chicks in case of getting a rooster though.
Mash is just the chickens regular pellets with water added to change the texture. It is a great treat because they really like it and yet are only actually eating their normal food. You can make it with hot or cold water but in the winter I think it’s nice for the girls to have it warm.
Thank you. This will definitely be a treat in the cold weather.
They allways look happy, Must be nice for them to have something warm to eat on a
cold day.
They do to seem to really like it.
I sent you another message this morning and asked you to let me know if you received it so I know my e-mails are still not getting through to you. I got your recent message and that is really great news. I have to answer it here for now as my e-mails are not getting through. I call you soon. xx
Nice to see them all enjoying the mash. By the way, Speckles’ plumage looks stunning.
She does look good even though her head is blurred by the movement. I only managed these two photos as my battery died. They do enjoy a dish of mash though. They are getting a fish treat for new year’s day.
I have been so busy with family today that I had no time for a post. I would like to wish all my readers and their families and pets a really Happy New Year. xx