We're waiting for a winter storm to hit - it's supposed to be 2 - 4 inches, followed by "wintry precipitation". This will likely leave us iced in, on top of a glassy clay hill. This is a big deal for Alabama!
It may not be safe to walk down to the coop for a day or two...My husband didn't want to leave the coop open into the pen, because he says there'll be more predators hunting in this weather. The chickens normally eat out in the pen, but I put some feed in the coop. Also put some alfalfa pellets in water - that will swell up and freeze, and will take them awhile to eat. And hung a couple of bananas - they'll freeze too, and be entertaining.
No use putting water in there, but if there's that much snow some will drift through the wire sides. And they'll have the alfalfa-ice.
So lots of perches, nestboxes, different things to eat...they're pretty laid back, and maybe won't kill each other until I can get down there! I just hope the crippled rooster doesn't get trampled. He still dominates the other rooster, but the hens shove him unmercifully.
It may not be safe to walk down to the coop for a day or two...My husband didn't want to leave the coop open into the pen, because he says there'll be more predators hunting in this weather. The chickens normally eat out in the pen, but I put some feed in the coop. Also put some alfalfa pellets in water - that will swell up and freeze, and will take them awhile to eat. And hung a couple of bananas - they'll freeze too, and be entertaining.
No use putting water in there, but if there's that much snow some will drift through the wire sides. And they'll have the alfalfa-ice.
So lots of perches, nestboxes, different things to eat...they're pretty laid back, and maybe won't kill each other until I can get down there! I just hope the crippled rooster doesn't get trampled. He still dominates the other rooster, but the hens shove him unmercifully.