Chickens and Wintertime

[Mamachic1967]

I live in Northeastern Ontario and this will be my chickens first winter. Do chickens like to go outside on milder winter days or do you keep them in their coop all winter?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Chickens will come outside whenever they can. If there is snow everywhere, or it's bitterly cold, they probably won't but otherwise, they will still want to come outside for parts of the day. Make sure they coop is nice and snug for them when they return. Here's some info on keeping the coop warm. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/things-to-and-not-to-do-during-winter https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-coop-temperatures https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-chicken-keeping

Be sure to shovel a path for your birds just as you would yourself!

 

[Blooie]

I'm in Northern Wyoming and mine will go out on mild, sunny days. They also have a large hoop run that we cover in greenhouse plastic for winter, and they spend every day out there. But once we open the run door, they'll barge out like it's a sunny spring day! They don't even mind the snow.

 

[Mamachic1967]

Thank you! I'm so glad I asked! Thanks for the link. I will print it off, it's an excellent guide! Thanks!

 

[Mamachic1967]

Thank you, great idea!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Thank you! I'm so glad I asked! Thanks for the link. I will print it off, it's an excellent guide! Thanks!

No problem. Best of luck!

 

[Mamachic1967]

Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine will only go out if there is hay put down on the snow for them to stand on, they enjoy sunning themselves.

 

[Mamachic1967]

That is cute!

 

[Peeps61]

I think a lot of it is what they are exposed to and get used to. We had a freak ice storm in NW Florida a few years back. My hens absolutely HATED the ice and would not walk on it at all! They stayed under the barn area where the ground was bare. They still came outside, even though it was cold, but stayed off the ice!