Chicken question about snow

[The Henitentiary]

First time chicken owner, i have 16 chickens (1 roo 15 hens) they have a 8x13 coop and when door opens they free range my 1/2 i have for them and goats. i live in south Louisiana and we had 6 inches of snow yesterday, well yesterday their auto opened and they refused to go outside so i closed to keep them inside during the snow fall, well today the door beat me and when it opened they all went out into the snow. My question is should I wrangle them up and put them back up in coop or are they smart enough to go back inside when they get cold? im worried about them walking in the icy snow and frost bite it's currently 24 degrees with a high of 31 today so so long any advice is welcomed.

 

[DemeterAD9]

They’ll be fine in those temps. Just make sure any with feathered feet get the snow clumps melted/knocked off when they roost for the night.

 

[The Henitentiary]

They’ll be fine in those temps. Just make sure any with feathered feet get the snow clumps melted/knocked off when they roost for the night.

Omg thanks being newbies to the chicken game wife and I were nervous we do have 4 cochins I'll check their feathered feet this evening

 

[K0k0shka]

They'll be fine. Chickens are outdoor animals and don't actually need a house, they just need shelter from wind and direct rain. People in colder climates than yours raise chickens just fine (without supplemental heat, too) and their chickens walk around outside in much colder temperatures. They don't like walking on snow, but the temperature itself doesn't seem to bother them. If you can clear the snow so they have a snow-free area to walk around in outside, they'll be happy. Chickens much prefer to be outside than inside.

 

[Folly's place]

Make sure that they have plenty of feed available (not treats, regular food) and unfrozen water. Out of the wind is important, block the wind, maybe shovel to get some of the snow out of their way, and it should be good.
Mine hate walking in the snow, and our small run is roofed, because I'm not shoveling for them!
Mary

 

[The Henitentiary]

They'll be fine. Chickens are outdoor animals and don't actually need a house, they just need shelter from wind and direct rain. People in colder climates than yours raise chickens just fine (without supplemental heat, too) and their chickens walk around outside in much colder temperatures. They don't like walking on snow, but the temperature itself doesn't seem to bother them. If you can clear the snow so they have a snow-free area to walk around in outside, they'll be happy. Chickens much prefer to be outside than inside.

They seem to be doing just fine they share a yard with our 3 goats and there is a playground made of pallets and I went out and swept all the snow off the pallets so they have a snow free area

 

[Ridgerunner]

im worried about them walking in the icy snow and frost bite it's currently 24 degrees with a high of 31 today so so long any advice is welcomed.

My chickens had no problems walking on snow when I was in Arkansas. Their problem was that they did not like change. If they woke up to a white world they were not walking on that white stuff. It was new and different. But if it stayed around a few days they were out walking around in it. I remember a couple wading through 9" of snow to get to the compost pile to see if they could grab any snacks by the third day. Nope, snacks were still buried out of reach.

One time it snowed during the day. The chickens were already out. The change to a white world was gradual enough the chickens never bothered to go inside. They kept walking through the snow, munching on grass and such sticking above the snow.

Another time it was -4 F, a calm sunshiny morning. I opened the pop door and let them decide what to do. They went outside. If the wind had been blowing they would not have been in the wind, but that cold was not an issue.

Just because they can handle it doesn't mean they have to. If it bothers you that much then keep them in. It's not worth you worrying over.

 

[Dreamers Nook]

I'm in Colorado, we have colder temps and more snow. Usually if we have snow and it's in 20's or below, I put out hay to walk on. You can use straw too. It gives them something to scratch through and acts as insulation.
They will go inside if they get too cold as well. I haven't had any frostbite issues or colds.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The "Henitentiary," Lol! That's funny and creative, I love it!