The Poultry Keeper

shelly · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 29 Location: Glastonbury

I'm new to this so bare with me.

I've got lots of condensation appearing in my ark. I've tried increasing the ventilation but it just seems to be getting worse as the weather gets cooler.
My girls seem happy but I don't want them to be getting damp at night.
Can anyone suggest any solutions that may help?
Someone has suggested increasing the insulation by sticking cork tiles to the insides, but I don't want it to become a mite haven.

Any idea's would help.

From Shelly

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Shelly, can you post pics of your ark so that we can brain storm while looking at the real thing...rather than shooting in the dark?

HeatherBB · Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 154 Location: Chelmsford

had the same problem with my old ark (6-8 birds) I ended up leaving the ladder down (but the ark sat on breezeblocks submerged into the ground so WAS foxproof!!) slightly better. Have now moved them all into the 'manor house' Very Happy

(8 x 6 garden shed!!) not quite sure what to do with the ark now - it has the covered run under so may use it for shelter in inclement weather??? Confused

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

no, don't dispose of it, you'll need it next year for broodies and chicks and things......

shelly · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 29 Location: Glastonbury

thanks Heather,

Did you find that your chickens lost weight trying to keep warm or were they OK?
Did they manage a winter well with the drawbridge down?

from Shelly

HeatherBB · Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 154 Location: Chelmsford

sorry but I can't help you there shelly as I haven't had them through a winter! Crying or Very sad

I have to admit that even in their shed I have wondered how they would fare with the extreme cold and snowy weather so I have invested in a heat lamp which is yet to arrive (the sort you would use for chicks - although I would like some advice if anyone thinks this would be in any way detrimental to their health???)

HeatherBB · Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 154 Location: Chelmsford

naughty, naughty Summayah!!! Very Happy

my OH will love you!!! I have just rescued a wellsummer boy destined for the pot. So 8 girls and 2 boys are enough for now!! Cool

NannyP · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 11:01 pm Post subject:

They do fine in the cold, it's draughts you need to watch. Mine spend all winter with the pop hole open, and to be honest, I would only close it if there were going to be many nights below freezing. The snuggle up to each other and keep warm.
Very Happy

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

agree with NannyP, mine always used to snuggle up to each other. I had a perch 8' long and they filled about just under half of it ~ with a few on the floor in the same half!
Heather is it that that number will do for now until the new year?

mojo · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 2:32 pm Post subject:

chooks hate drafts but can stand a lot of cold even to the extent of sleeping outside(by choice) in below zero temps ..............mojo

Nisi · Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 164 Location: Yorkshire

My hens always sleep on the floor of their house with their heads by the pop hole so that they can see out. I have now stapled wide strips of clear plastic onto the bottom of the sliding pop hole cover so that they can see out without being in a draft.
This morning I noticed that there was condensation on the inside of the plastic strips but I just left the door of the house open for a few hours. There are ventilation holes at the back of the house so I'm not worried about it.
I will take a photo of the strips if anyone is interested.

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 7:30 pm Post subject:

Yes please.

Also does anyone know how the egg is affected if its left in the nest box over night and it freezes?

Nisi · Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 164 Location: Yorkshire

Very good question Aussie Chick ! I have been hoping that the warmth from the straw will stop them from freezing.

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

A frozen egg will burst.

So...if it is still intack, it did not freeze completely. Wink

poultry poofs · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject:

We've left eggs in one of the houses overnight and they dont freeze it actually gets quite warm inside the houses the main thing is that they get draft free ventilation.
Put plenty of bedding in to keep those who like to sleep on the floor away from the cold shed floor,like shavings etc,straw is a bit of a harbourer of mites so we have found is best avoided altogether.
Chickens are pretty good at keeping themselves warm and if they are happy outside in the bitter cold wind and refuse to go in,you will find they will be more than warm enough at night in their house.
Eggs we have inadvertently left perched on the roof of a house have frozen and split wide open by morning.