Chickens Refusing to Come out of Coop!

[love4mychickens]

Hi Its getting pretty cold out where I live (almost below zero)! I currently have seven chickens, all refusing to come out of their coop. I have tried everything I can think of, luring them out with food, nudging them out, I even shoveled the snow off of their step ladder and their run. My girls have not been laying that much and that's pretty weird for them so, I was wondering if that had something to do with the cold weather to. I was just curious to see if anyone has some suggestions to what I should do and/or the same struggles. P.S. Does anyone think a heating lamp would help?


Thank you!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Do they have a place to go that is sheltered from wind and snow? Mine come out to a dry area under the coop. I have plastic sheeting on all 3 sides and they will hang out there and in the coop. If its not snowing, they will venture out in the run provided there is something on the ground other than snow (pine shavings and straw at the moment).

 

[love4mychickens]

Thank you for the suggestions! I will try the plastic sheeting around the sides and make sure there is a dry area covered in pine shavings. Hopefully this will make my girls get a little sunshine! Thanks again!

 

[bluebird]

As long as their happy inside the coop i wouldn’t force them outside

 

[love4mychickens]

Okay! They do have the option to go outside, their door is open all day. They have food and water and I give them treats. They seem happy. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Table4Six]

As long as their happy inside the coop i wouldn’t force them outside

x2

Also, chickens slow egg production when the days get colder and shorter so it's not surprising that yours aren't laying @love4mychickens.

 

[love4mychickens]

Okay! Thanks for the suggestion. I was pretty sure the egg production was because of the cold weather! Thank you

 

[Blooie]

I agree with @bluebird - unless you have a really good reason for wanting them outside, I wouldn't force it. They expend enough energy just trying to use their resources to stay healthy and warm, so if they want to stay inside loafing and replenish everything a season of laying, molting and foraging required of them earlier in the year, they should be allowed to do that. Like you, I left the door open all day long. Some wandered out, some stayed in, and some were in and out all day. Even my Silkies went out in temps as low as 9 degrees, with snow on the ground. Your best clue is that they seem happy. Anything after that is gravy! Good luck with them!

 

[love4mychickens]

Thank you for all the advice guys! They do seem happy inside so I guess I'll play it by ear!

 

[aart]

P.S. Does anyone think a heating lamp would help?

No.

Welcome to BYC!
Please put your location in your profile.
Mine stay inside when it's below a certain temp.
We had a heat wave of 18F today and a few came out to dust bathe in the sheltered 'under run'.