Blizzard!

[chickieschicks]

So we are in the midst of a blizzard here in the Northeast. Currently my chickens are safe inside their coop which is inside a secure, roofed run. However the plastic coverings that we had on the sides of the run have blown off and they can't be replaced in the current weather. I'm nervous that if we let them out of the coop into the run the winds would be dangerous for them but right now they are in a dark coop with no food or water. What would you do? Are they okay to be left inside the coop all day thinking it's still nighttime and having no food or water, I can't imagine so.

 

[DudleyChickens]

I would try to get some plastic back up on the north side to protect them from the wind and snow so they can get water and food. With the fridgid temps on the back side of this storm your chickens must stay dry. If you can't get plastic back up you may need to put food and water in the coop during the day then take in out at night.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Seems in your setup they'll have to come out, assuming you don't have room in the coop for food, water, and a light? No window? Then I would try to find something more solid like plywood, old paneling, even large broken down cardboard and attach it as a wind break. Heck a bunch of pizza boxes would help even. Think outside the box.

In bad weather eating well and fresh air are important.

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

 

[Eggcessive]

Hay and straw bales would be good to use as a wind break. When the weather improves, you might want to make a few windows that you can cover with hardware cloth fencing, and then cover those with plastic. Do you have any high up ventilation in the coop? If not, you can cover the lower 3/4 of the windows. I always recommend having water and food inside and outside a coop.
In winter, there will be weeks here in Ohio when the chickens will need to remain inside due to snow or later in spring, heavy rain. My chickens have not set foot outside their coop for over a week now due to our temps near zero. I would make sure they have a coop large enough to keep them inside with plenty of room to roam, along with food and water.
I find that a lot of people try to raise chickens in too small of a facility. It really helps to have a larger space as possible.

 

[PirateGirl]

We routinely have high winds. Everything blows away, eventually. The chickens somehow have figured out about coming out of the coop between gusts and running back inside and hiding when it's really bad. I wouldn't lock them in the coop, but still do your best to find something to block at least part of the run from wind. I have a permanent piece of plywood on the prevailing wind side. I have plastic on one side that periodically rips off and needs to be replaced. I have stacked my firewood in a way that blocks wind from the chickens and use that pile last in winter. I try and park my car where it might cut some wind to the coop. Any large object temporarily can be a wind block in a pinch. You could tie your trash can to the side or the coop. Look around your house and think outside the box until you can make a permanent fix. Even if something is not solid it will help cut the wind, lattice, a pallet, an old blanket wired on, a shower curtain... get creative.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Yup just find things. Backyard table with ratchet straps to hold it still, or bungees. Couple layers of snow fence would cut much wind and hold plastic sheeting on. The $1 store has clear shower curtain liners, although driving is likely impossible. Old blankets are a great idea, even old sheets will stop that blast. Carpet runners maybe. Raid the basement!

Have a plan to secure things before you go out. I'd load pockets with zip ties, scissors, string, bungees, whatever you can think of. My hands go numb fast so I always have a plan so I can get things done efficiently.

So gather up some stuff and get some shelter.

 

[chickieschicks]

Thanks everyone for your replies! The run is very large so I can't think of something big enough that would temporarily block the wind and not get blown over. The coop is also plenty big, the problem is that it doesn't have windows or a light source. (it does have an open vent area on top.) I will put food and water inside their coop temporarily but my big question is if it's too dark will they not move around to find it??

 

[Ruralhideaway]

They may not. Put in a light. How big is the long side of the run?

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

It's 19 degrees and snowing here but no wind right now. My girls insist on coming outside no matter what the weather. The only go in the coop to lay, with the exception of Blanche who is at the bottom of the pecking order and occasionally goes in to relax on the roost, away from her chief tormentor Becky.
We wrapped the lower part of the run that faces the prevailing winds (18' of clear tarp, attached with screws and washers through the grommets) and piled tons of pine shavings in the run. This is the first winter with those clear tarps and we are pleased so far---no cracking, even in sub-zero temps and very high winds. Half of the run is covered with roofing (to be continued in the Spring) and they have an area under the coop that is their hangout spot, along with the corner that is protected from the winds that becomes a little solar spa when the sun is out. I have a wireless remote hygrometer/thermometer in their coop and the humidity is consistently either exactly what it is outside or a few points higher. The inside temp at night is usually at least a few degrees higher than the outside temps.
The two big BO's have a smidge of frostbite on the very tips of their combs but otherwise everyone looks fine. I average 2-3 eggs per day from the three girls who are laying.
The water is an issue, of course. We go out about every two hours to switch out the waterer and place a one-quart container of hot water in the water receptacle. If it is in the single digits we go out more frequently. Part of the deal and we are lucky that we are retired, lol. No plans for electricity or any kind of auxiliary heat.
Here's our coop and run in the snow: