Can chickens run around in the snow?

[Cairo]

Lynn, what a great place you have there! I must look at your page more closely. Thank you for posting that.

 

[carrlr]

Something else to consider depending on your coop and nesting set-up. Eggs will freeze in a rather short period of time. I would suggest in a colder climate, once your girls start to lay, is to check their nests often. Keep in mind they will lay a little later each day until their cycle starts over. An average chicken will lay an egg every 24-26 hours during production periods. Some slow way down in colder weather, where others just keep on giving them eggs. Have fun. IMO...if your going to have 6 birds, maybe try 3 each of two different varieties.

 

[Cairo]

Seems like a coop + a covered area + a larger uncovered area would be in order. I suppose hawks are an issue...

 

[sunflowerenvy]

omg now u are tell me i have to shovel out their pen too?
i don't even do my driveway lol

yes hawks are an issues too

 

[Cairo]

carrlr, that's good advice. I'd hate to lose production in the winter. Are the Leghorns good winter producers?

 

[teach1rusl]

I think you'll find that most breeds of chickens will not run around in the snow...at least not gleefully...lol. Some will brave an inch or two for a bit (although I think they'd look for a sheltered spot pretty quickly), but not several inches. They sink down in it, which is not fun I'm sure. I spent a lot of time shoveling last winter...both paths for them to get to sheltered areas and just clearing patches where I could throw down some straw for them to tromp about on. Folks who have covered runs sure were thinking smart...

 

[Cairo]

Covered runs of some sort are in order then.

I have a 15' x 40' raised deck. Maybe 4.5 feet of nothing underneath. I wonder if I should use that space as winter covered space? Although that would not be easy to access and clean ... maybe not a good idea after all

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Mine have access to the under the deck space, only about 18 inches off the ground. Has never been a problem. They don't go there in the snow though. It's about 50-60 feet to the coop. My run is covered, but they look out the pop door and just say "the heck with that" usually.

Imp- Glad I live in Seattle and do not have to deal with much snow.

 

[LynneP]

You're welcome, Cairo. We live next to the woods and predation is a key factor in addition to being in a snow belt, like you.
We put a lot of effort into it and the birds are safe and healthy. Then again, that first egg was worth about $1100.00 !

 

[Olive Hill]

If you're looking for winter production and cold hardiness I would recommend ISA Browns. They're a hybrid, not an old fashioned breed, but they are egg laying machines and tolerate cold well. And just as a note on the winter production, with the exception of extreme cold that stresses the system and uses the bird's energy reserves, temperature is not what dictates egg laying. Length of daylight is. A breed who is known not to be as sensitive to daylight hours as others is your best bet, like the ISA. Getting them out and about, will also help this matter as the more daylight they're exposed to the better.

As for the snow issue, the chickens will gladly accept being as pampered as you make them, but do not need much of anything as long as you choose breeds that suit your climate and setup. Personally, ours free range year round. Some are reluctant to head out the first time they see snow, but change their minds quickly when they see everyone else doing it and realize the food is still outside and is going to remain there. The only time I move snow for the chickens is when their feeders are buried and then I brush only enough snow out of the way so that they can find them. Ours can routinely be found out and about in feet, not inches, of snow and doing just fine.