New ex-batts and winter

[boschy]

I am getting 7 ex-batts on Nov 4 (had 4 about 2 years ago, of which we are now down to 2).

They are going into my walk-in-run, which will be divided in half so the existing 5 'old' girls have access to coop and the outdoors electric fenced area.

Just one question, I am a bit concerned about the cold weather and lack of feathers/general not being 100%-ness. In their sectioned off area they will have a couple of nesting boxes, and the WIR itself is wind-sheltered with plastic screening on 3 sides. Will they be warm enough?

[boschy]

Well, the 8 Essex Girls arrived today - quite bald, but much better physically than the last lot. They have eaten,and drunk; had to put them to bed (twice!) but all tucked up in lots of straw!

[Pixel]

Are you any good at knitting?

[nickelrocketgoBooooooom]

they'll be fine, but yes, making a winter cardigan is a good idea.
the feathers take ages to grow back.
the winter cardi will make it take longer, but that's better than them being cold.

[nickelrocketgoBooooooom]

some more

but seriously, some warm advice here

[boschy]

think I'll give the cardis a miss! but like the tip about extra insulation on the housing - at the moment they are in a plastic covered crate for sleeping and they seem fine. once they are up to ladders they can go into the cube with the other 5 and will be toasty warm in there.

they are all mingling, new and old now - gave up with my sectioned-off area after I discovered the 'wrong' chickens on either side of the barrier!!