Brahma Chicken in winter

[Coelo]

We have 5 sweet Brahma chickens. I currently have them in tractor which I move around with fencing, and currently they are cleaning up part of my garden. I also have netted dog run from amazon I move around with them which has a tarp over half for a bit of shelter. I purchased greenhouse plastic and was thinking to cover the run so they could have a dryer place when needed. I also have a barn- not sure if the tractor will fit in through the stall or not. But, my question is this— this Friday it’s going to rain and drop to the 40’s at night. They have feathered feet, and chickens don’t want to be wet and cold. So- go with the plastic on the run? Should I move their fencing to encourage them to go under shelter rather than into open garden? Should I try to move the tractor to barn and let them scratch in there on cold wet days? The barn also has a run-in on the back side- I could move their tractor over there. I’d rather have them up near me, but concerned about their wet feet and cold. I’ve added a few pics so you can see...

 

[3KillerBs]

If the run drains well so that water does not pool there -- which is bad for any kind of chicken -- and you can keep it from getting actually muddy by adding appropriate bedding as the grass wears down/dies off for winter, the Brahmas will be absolutely fine with winter conditions because they have thick feathers that are excellent insulation.

Make sure that they have the option to go in and out of shelter according to their mood and give them places to sit where they can get their feet dry and they'll keep themselves comfortable and happy.

I'm in the NC Sandhills, where our winter is wet and chilly rather than cold and snowy, so I gave my in-town flock a couple intact straw bales in their run for the birds to sit on. I intend to do the same with my country flock because it seemed to work very well. I also have some pallets and other structures in my run (see article here).

For more targeted advice you can put your general location into your profile and people who keep Brahmas in your area or a similar climate can chime in.

 

[Ridgerunner]

They look like juveniles still but certainly fully feathered. 40* F is not cold to them. The way I approach it is to give them the option, let them decide if they want to be in or out. Mine enjoy being out in a rain as long as it is not a storm. I think they are looking for red worms to eat.

I took this photo when it was 4* F, well below freezing. You can see the ice from their water bowl, looks like two or three days worth of ice.. I left the pop door open and let them decide what they wanted to do. If a strong cold wind were blowing they'd be inside. Since it was calm they enjoyed the weather.

Typically when mine wake up to a white world they stay inside for two or three days before they go out in it. They don't like change and the ground being white when they wake up can be big change. The day I took this photo they were outside when the snow started, the change was gradual enough they never bothered to go inside.

I figure chickens know more about being chickens just by instinct than I ever will so I try to let them make these decisions. My job is to give them options so they can choose.