Chickens in or out during this cold spell?

[Janzen]

Location NW Oklahoma, USA
18 hens, no special breeds
Our coop is a shed, completely covered and has decent ventilation. The floor is cement with a thick layer of animal bedding. We have several roosts and boxes. No drafty windows or anything. During the day, the chickens come and go in and out as they please and we shut them up at night. Our temps have been fairly mild here, ranging from 30s-50s F during the day and 20s-30s F at night. The Siberian front moving through in the next day or so will drop temperatures into single digits F with strong gusty winds during the day. My question is do I let my hens out during the day, like I normally do, or do I keep them in from the cold and wind?? I will provide heat lamps inside the coop for the day and night during this time.

 

[azygous]

If your chickens are anything like mine, they will make every excuse to hang out inside.

If it's cold with a wind producing a windchill factor of below freezing, it's best not to expect chickens to be outside.

 

[The Chick Addict]

If your chickens are anything like mine, they will make every excuse to hang out inside.

If it's cold with a wind producing a windchill factor of below freezing, it's best not to expect chickens to be outside.

If they want to be outside during the day, should I let them out? I was also wondering.

 

[azygous]

Sure. They will soon find out that it's not the same as what they're used to. Be ready to let them all back inside when they wimp out.

My flock is super spoiled with a spacious enclosed run with large floor to ceiling picture windows. Like cats who view the outdoors from a warm living room, they can get the wrong idea about what it's really like outside until they step out into it. My chickens rival the speed the cat used to employ when granted the freedom to check out the weather for himself. Except chickens are more gracious than cats and don't blame me for the weather.

 

[Percheron chick]

I open the coop to the run when it's super cold (high of -3 Thursday) but don't open the gate to let them out. They only come out to eat.

 

[The Chick Addict]

Sure. They will soon find out that it's not the same as what they're used to. Be ready to let them all back inside when they wimp out.

My flock is super spoiled with a spacious enclosed run with large floor to ceiling picture windows. Like cats who view the outdoors from a warm living room, they can get the wrong idea about what it's really like outside until they step out into it. My chickens rival the speed the cat used to employ when granted the freedom to check out the weather for himself. Except chickens are more gracious than cats and don't blame me for the weather.

Thank you @azygous!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

We are anticipating a windchill of -25 on Thursday afternoon into Friday, with wind gusts of up to 60 mph and also several inches of snow. This is very unusual for us. It was 60°F here yesterday and today! I expect my poor birds to hang out in the coop both days. I may have to hand carry them from the carport to the coop Thursday around noon, as they have been known to get stranded out there in sudden cold, wet weather before and this is expected to be a very sudden and extreme change in weather. My flocks consists of 24 hens and two roosters.

Brrrr! And also, . I am NOT a fan of this kind of weather!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd open the pop door and let them decide if they want to be in or out. Mine spend all day huddled under shelter but very few opt to go back into the coop even when it's actively snowing on them.

 

[The Chick Addict]

I'd open the pop door and let them decide if they want to be in or out. Mine spend all day huddled under shelter but very few opt to go back into the coop even when it's actively snowing on them.

I do that... I was wondering if they know best or if I should lock them in. Thanks!

 

[3KillerBs]

Chickens know how to be chickens better than we know how to be chickens.

Give them the choice and let them decide.

(Some wind blocks in the run are always a good idea anyway).