Chickens and snow

[Skippersnh]

I recently moved to NH from Tennessee my chickens have never seen snow the have an open run with no roof so plan on snowblowing it every storm but im sure there will be some snow and ice on the ground still im wondering if it will hurt their feet in any way or bother them im also wondering what temperature they will start needing heat in the coop . When it gets down below zero should I keep them in their coop instead of letting them out? Thank you in advance for any tips!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine go out most days. I put down hay for them to stand on. Mine refuse to stand directly on snow. I never provide any heat here. I do keep mine inside if we are having a storm, or it's too windy. Otherwise I give mine the option of going out daily.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hey Skip no need to for heat unless they Silkie ventilation in you coop keep them getting frostbite you can blow snow out if your up to it leaving a bit is fine you may find the birds look out go no way others run into it

 

[Mrs. K]

They will freak out the first few storms, but they they will plow right through it. I bed my run (without a roof) pretty deeply with hay. If I know a storm is coming, I will rake it up into mini haystacks, then after the snow, I flip the hay on top of the snow, and they will come right out.

Do not worry about warm, worry about dry, really have deep bedding in the coop, and sprinkle it with scratch once a week, the girls will kick it and scratch it, breaking up the poop balls, and drying it out.

Lower the roosts if you can, especially if their heads are close to the ceiling, and have better ventilation above their heads. Keeps them dryer, dry chickens are warm chickens.

I do not ever lock my birds in the coop. I do have wind blocks out side, and a small shelter, even a large cardboard box will really help. It is good for birds to get fresh air.

Mrs K

 

[Skippersnh]

Wow I thought I would need heat lol

 

[Skippersnh]

My coop is a big camper converted into a coop should I crack a window for ventilation
Would that be enough ?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You will need to figure that out yourself. I rely on cracks in my door for my ventilation in my bantam coop. Every coop is different based on where it's situated, and what's around it. It also will depend how it's sitting as far as direction. Most prevailing winds here come from the north or west. You want a good exchange of air, but nothing drafty.

 

[Skippersnh]

Ok thank you

 

[Ridgerunner]

I really like Mrs. K's and OHLD's posts. Good info.

Visual might help you. I took this photo when it was 4 degrees Fahrenheit. I leave the pop door open and let them decide if they want to come out or not. If a cold wind is hitting them they do not stay out in it. But if it is calm, they come out. A cold wind is a problem, pure cold is not.

My chickens do not like change. If they wake up to a strange white world, they do not like it and will avoid it for a couple of days. But eventually some will check it out and find it's not that bad. I think it helps if they have a reason to get out in it. I typically have grass or weeds sticking up above the snow so they can forage a little. I once had them wade through 9" of snow to check out the compost pile

These chickens were already out when it started snowing. The change was gradual enough they never got scared and stayed out. as you can see, their feet are not bothering them.

 

[Mrs. K]

@Skippersnh - if you can

• lower the roosts so they are below the open window, but still above the laying nests.
• try to set it up so that it is away from your prevailing winds, ours are west and north, and I have had two different coops with ventilation on the south or east, and been happy with it.
• Use a lot of dry bedding, a LOT
• What you want the coop to provide is a wind break, but not locked up tight. Think of being in an unheated car with a group of people, almost immediately it fogs up, and that is what you are trying to avoid, that dampness makes for cold chickens and frostbite.

It took me forever before I figured out that is what they meant by good ventilation and draft free.

Mrs K