3 feet of snow and how to take care of my pullets

[jolenep]

We live in Maine and sometimes we get a lot of snow. Right now just have a very small coop of 5
pullets. My husband wants to move them in our barn if it gets really cold. What are some things we
can to to prevent them from any weather related problems? Should we move them?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If you have one of those smaller coops I would move them. If you could post some photos of your coop it would help.

For winter chickens need a good wind break, good ventilation, cover from the elements, unfrozen water, and stuff to do and to stay busy so they don't start pecking each other.

Mine go out daily if it isn't too bad out. I shovel my run, and put down hay for them to stand on and to forage through, toss out some scratch too to keep them busy and to add some fat to their diet.

 

[lazy gardener]

Depends on what your coop is like, and what your barn is like. If your coop is a pre fab, and less than 6' of head space in the coop, and provides less than 4 s.f./bird in the coop, I'd put them in the barn. However, if your barn is an old barn that is not predator proof, then you will have to do some construction to provide a safe place for them. No matter where they are housed, lots of ventilation year round is absolutely a must. It's said that you should have about 1 s.f. of ventilation in the coop per bird. Join us on the Maine thread for more conversation from other winter wonderland folks.