Our eight 7 month old hens experienced their first significant (4") snowfall today. They seemed to enjoy wandering around the yard and foraging as usual after the initial reluctance to exit the coop. Tonight though, when we got home and went to check on them and close up the coop, they were all huddled in a snow covered group out in the yard, fully exposed. They are always very good about going to roost in the coop and we have never seen them do this. These birds are all hatchery chicks raised by us. I have read that sometimes chicks raised without a hen to mother and teach them are less wise in the ways of chickenhood. What do you think? Did they get confused with the snow? We always check on them every night, so we'll make sure they are cooped, but with below zero temps on the way, we want to make sure they stay safe.
