Bitter cold coming-leave chickens in coop or open pop door and let them choose?

[WindingRoad]

I have mine in the run because not really enough space inside plus didn't want to worry about spilled food/water

Try to feed them something like meal worms or scratch right before bed time. Fill up those crops as that will make them "work" to digest that food and help keep them warm. As for their feet, when they roost they pull down their nice down coats and cover their feet. Good luck and you stay warm too.

 

[leighks]

Mine will be “cooped up” until Friday or Saturday with their pop door closed. Here near Buffalo New York we are getting blizzard like conditions over next few days, 12-18” of snow, and wind chills around -25. Even though their run is mostly covered, it’s just too windy to give them an option to be outside this week.

 

[bmetz]

Try to feed them something like meal worms or scratch right before bed time. Fill up those crops as that will make them "work" to digest that food and help keep them warm. As for their feet, when they roost they pull down their nice down coats and cover their feet. Good luck and you stay warm too.

Ok, thanks for the idea! I have both so I will give them more tonight. I gave them some scratch last night before they got on roost. They are more than unhappy today about not being let out! I told them better than being outside in -42 wind chill! Scooped their tray and gave them some tomatoes this morning which they attacked with pleasure haha. They had started a bit on the flock block. Thank you! Hope your weather is better!

 

[bmetz]

Mine will be “cooped up” until Friday or Saturday with their pop door closed. Here near Buffalo New York we are getting blizzard like conditions over next few days, 12-18” of snow, and wind chills around -25. Even though their run is mostly covered, it’s just too windy to give them an option to be outside this week.

I agree! Mine are not happy about it at all but it is for the best. Hope all is well and staying warm. I know it was mighty cold this morning..come on spring haha.

 

[bmetz]

Good idea- our first brutal winter in NWI too!

Ugh...I am already over it! Haha. Bring on spring. This weekend we are forecast to have 50 degree temps! What the heck!

 

[bmetz]

A few days won't be an issue and mine have never spilled water. Definitely my Ducks are fed outside though.

They are in and fingers crossed about leaving water alone except to drink. They were ok this am when checked on and scooped tray and gave treats. They are not happy about being stuck inside...but told them it beats the alternative!

 

[BarnGems]

I am in SE Ky and its 1:45pm 15 degrees, 16 mile per hour sustained winds (gusts 24), giving us with wind chill 2 degrees. Please Northerners take back your weather! I moved here to get away from this!
Hope everyone's birds stay warm and frost bite free.

 

[bmetz]

I am in SE Ky and its 1:45pm 15 degrees, 16 mile per hour sustained winds (gusts 24), giving us with wind chill 2 degrees. Please Northerners take back your weather! I moved here to get away from this!
Hope everyone's birds stay warm and frost bite free.

Lol your weather would be a heat wave for us today! We are at -2 and with wind chill feels like -22. Which does feel like a heat wave compared to when I went out this morning...was -16 and with wind chill -42! Yuck! Bring on spring haha!

 

[Matilda Belle]

My hens are inside the house. My roosters are locked up in the coop with a radiator space heater which has been keeping it 30 degrees warmer than outside. The temp tonight is going to be -31.