Minorca's?

[Snadger]

Just got a couple of Minorca POL but am worried to learn they are not hardy in the UK?
What can I do to ease them through a North East winter do you reckon?

Don't want to have to lock them in the coop all winter!

[SarzWix]

Hmmmm... Well, I guess they could do with a very sheltered place to play out? Maybe a stack of straw bales blocking the prevailing wind? (Assuming they wouldn't pull them to bits?) And as cold usually sinks to the lowest point, could you make them a little platform or something to stand on (pallets?) so they don't get cold feet?
(As a non-chicken-keeper, these might be ridiculous suggestions... )

[MaureenHall]

I've been wondering the same thing Snadger. The 1 Minorca that I hatched 11 weeks ago looks like a girl so I want to keep her. I'm thinking of insulating the big coop with polystyrene boxed in with laminate floor panels to cope with the cold nights, but it's the days that I'm worried about. I might have to think about bringing her indoors when it's really bad

[Suechooks]

Just got a couple of Minorca POL but am worried to learn they are not hardy in the UK?
What can I do to ease them through a North East winter do you reckon?

Don't want to have to lock them in the coop all winter!

There's a knitting pattern for chook coats on one of the rehoming sites. Maybe you could get your knitting needles out Snadger!

[di]

Haven't they got largish/floppy combs?As well as trying to windproof the run maybe they'll need vaseline on their combs?

[RedThorn]

There's a knitting pattern for chook coats on one of the rehoming sites. Maybe you could get your knitting needles out Snadger!

and the chicken diapers too then he can bring them indoors when he needs too

[di]

and the chicken diapers too then he can bring them indoors when he needs too

I wonder if they're washable or disposable?

[Snadger]

and the chicken diapers too then he can bring them indoors when he needs too

Maybe I'll just have to get one of those carrier thingies that are used for carrying bairns and carry them around on my back when I'm at work?

[Snadger]

Hmmmm... Well, I guess they could do with a very sheltered place to play out? Maybe a stack of straw bales blocking the prevailing wind? (Assuming they wouldn't pull them to bits?) And as cold usually sinks to the lowest point, could you make them a little platform or something to stand on (pallets?) so they don't get cold feet?
(As a non-chicken-keeper, these might be ridiculous suggestions... )

As a non chicken keeper you are thinking 'out of the box' Sarz and I really like the straw bales and pallets idea! (Already use a pallet in my other run for the same reason!) Thanks!

[RedThorn]

Maybe I'll just have to get one of those carrier thingies that are used for carrying bairns and carry them around on my back when I'm at work?

Just think Snadger... a whole new market waiting to be tapped with that idea

[Snadger]

Just think Snadger... a whole new market waiting to be tapped with that idea

It would certainly keep the 'men in white coats' in a job though!

[RedThorn]

to come back to your original question.... Sarz's idea with the straw and pallets makes a lot of sense, perhaps with the coats and vaseline on the comb's and Sarz's ideas, they'll have a chance.

Any chance of jury rigging a rabbit hutch at home with a reptile heat pad or such?

[MaureenHall]

Just had an idea!!!!! (Quick, write it down on the calendar, I don't get good ones very often!)

I'm going to email or contact in some way the person I got the hatching eggs from and ask what they do for their birds in the winter! Simples

[Snadger]

Just had an idea!!!!! (Quick, write it down on the calendar, I don't get good ones very often!)

I'm going to email or contact in some way the person I got the hatching eggs from and ask what they do for their birds in the winter! Simples

Good thinking Maureen! I've seen them advertised from the Scottish highland so they must have success with them! Keep us informed!

[MaureenHall]

Just had a reply from the lady I got the eggs from :-

"Hi Minorcas dont like cold winds and frost so i dont lett them out in the run in these conditions thanks"

Doesn't really tell us much more than we already knew though does it? My runs are quite sheltered in comparison with some, so I think it'll be a case of bring her into the conservatory in a dog-cage during the really bad days and let her snuggle up with the others for warmth at night