Chickens in winter

[Jsdnxtr]

Normal.
Is your run covered and protected from wind? If so they will generally stay out in the run even if it's snowing.

Run is covered. A bit of snow in one part but none in the other. I have been checking on them all the time.
We have a wind barrier and the run/coop is pretty close to our house. I am just worried.

 

[Jsdnxtr]

In 6 years, my chickens have never stepped foot in snow. I think it's pretty normal. I just have to watch for fighting, my chickens are always free ranged so the sudden confinement can cause a few fights.

Well I have been out there checking on them quite a bit. No fighting or bullying yet. The lowest chicken in the pecking order has been in the nesting box. Which makes me worried. We haven’t ever had this much snow. I wish I could bring them in the house.

 

[DobieLover]

Run is covered. A bit of snow in one part but none in the other. I have been checking on them all the time.
We have a wind barrier and the run/coop is pretty close to our house. I am just worried.

Do they like mealworms? Wait. Stupid question!
Toss a handful of mealworms in the run with them watching you. See if a little bribery works. Then maybe they'll stick around after they don't spontaneously combust upon existing the coop into the horrifying snow.

 

[Jsdnxtr]

That's cool
Mine have near panic attacks when theres snow, they're deathly afraid of it

Oh that’s so cute.

 

[Jsdnxtr]

Do they like mealworms? Wait. Stupid question!
Toss a handful of mealworms in the run with them watching you. See if a little bribery works. Then maybe they'll stick around after they don't spontaneously combust upon existing the coop into the horrifying snow.

Lol
I will go out there with some treats. I gave them a dish of food and water. Since the reg food/water is in the run. I have already raised two daughters. Now I feel like I worry more about these 4 hens than I did with my daughters

 

[PirateGirl]

Do they like mealworms? Wait. Stupid question!
Toss a handful of mealworms in the run with them watching you. See if a little bribery works. Then maybe they'll stick around after they don't spontaneously combust upon existing the coop into the horrifying snow.

I agree. I bring food/water in the morning and put it in the run. I call them until they come out to eat. It takes a little coaxing sometimes, but again, once they are out, they realize it's not so bad and will stay out for awhile doing their normal chicken things.

 

[Kessel23]

That's cool
Mine have near panic attacks when theres snow, they're deathly afraid of it

My chickens have gone in it, they don't like it. One of them started screeching and flapping like it was being killed, it tried to fly over the snow, we usually have the driveway clear and they will fly onto it but it wasn't cleared yet. The birds had a shocker that day.

 

[Barbs Girls]

9.5 months old...

View attachment 1671228 View attachment 1671229

Oh my word that is a handsome rooster!

 

[DobieLover]

Oh my word that is a handsome rooster!

Thanks. I have another picture of him and the little LH, Lucy, walking in front of him and it looks like he's looking up her skirt!
This picture is a little better and certainly taken in nicer weather:

 

[rosemarythyme]

My chickens don't like snow but as I definitely don't want the waterer inside I make them come out. Every morning for the past few days I've been shoveling paths for them in the run... a path to the waterer, to the feed stations (thankfully one is covered and snow free) - it's not a lot of space (today I maybe cleared just 30 sq ft) but it gives them somewhere to go.

I think they're starting to get it now. The first couple of days I put down some dried leaves on the pathways to encourage them to try coming out. Once they see me shoveling they'll start emerging and complaining at me to shovel faster from the covered entrance way of the coop.