Chicken Logic Or Are Mine Just Wussies?

[gsim]

This AM mine would not come out.

4 ventured out on the porch and ate a few of the banana slices I had there. Normally they have a food riot over them. In early Dec we had a snow the same depth as this, but fluffier whereas this is slushier. They came out like any other day at that time, but not today. Just checked 30 min after opening the coop and none are out in the run.

I kept the coop lights out as usual after chores are over. I was surprised by this, thinking that they would just troop right out like they did after that first snow in December. Chook logic, or are they just plain chicken?

 

[easttxchick]

Don't feel bad, mine used to run around in the rain(no, it's not true, chickens don't have sense enough to come in outta the rain), but now if it's raining, they stay in the coop. I think their new philosophy is "been there, done that, didn't like it!

Maybe yours learned from the last snow!

 

[FortWorthChicks]

I sure wish mine would wise up and stay in on bad weather days. I don't have the heart to lock em up and they will stand out in the rain all day

I figure its their choice but it drives me bonkers seeing them all wet!!

Silly birds.

 

[gsim]

Mine stay out in rain all day. And because the first time they saw same amount of snow, they just trooped right out like it was not even there, I was really surprised. Egg-laying has not slacked off from when they began to lay in Oct. About 1/4 of them are out right now. Bunch of wussies.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Mine absolutely refuse to come out in the snow. Good thing for them we're in CA so we don't get a lot of snow. But they will stand out in the rain, that doesn't bother them in the least. (they look pathetic wet though)

 

[LynneP]

Apparently they expect you to spread bedding over the snow, or at least mine do!

 

[easttxchick]

Quote:

Can you say "spoiled"? That is too cute!

 

[GreenGoddess]

I live on the NC/SC border so it don't really get very bad here.. Until a few weeks ago, my babies only had a run that was partially covered with a tarp which kept most wind and rain off of them.. I was finally able to locate a plastic shed that I turned into a coop and have had an energy efficient 52 watt bulb in there that I turn on at around 4:30 pm and leave on til midnight to give them extra light.. But, it is supposed to be in the mid to low teens over the next few nights so I put in a regular 100 watt bulb for extra warmth.. I have production reds and barred rocks.. My reds do not like anything that is not sunny.. Rain, snow, sleet, anything! This is their first taste of wintry weather and my reds won't even come out of the coop! My br's are my little "trouble makers" and LOVE to explore! BUT, since there's nothing but ice and slush in the run, I have decided to put a board over the little chickie door (it's normally open all the time) to keep them all in and warm.. I would much rather keep them warm than for them to get frostbite.. I also have a thermometer in there so I know how cold it does get and I've given them a little extra scratch...

Goddess

 

[jojo54]

Mine always come out in the rain. If fact, they are out in it right not looking like drowned rats. We have their coop plus an addition where they usually stay on cold snowy days but we keep the door open so they have a choice to go out if they want. They seem to enjoy being out in almost any weather. Crazy birds!

 

[gsim]

Looked out again at 10:30 AM and they were all outside. By 3:00PM I had 21 eggs from 23 pullets. I don't care if they behaved like wussies this AM, they are cranking out those eggs! They do not read "Guide to Raising Poultry" so they do not know they are supposed to slack off in wintertime.