Chickens + Snow + Ice = ??

[Lisa-Lu]

I had hoped that spring was well on its way, but we have another round of snow and freezing rain coming tomorrow night into Wed. 3-5 inches is the biggest forecast. We've only had our hens(5 months old) for 4 days, so I am greatly concerned for my girls. Their coop is completely enclosed, so no worries there, but the run is just screened in on all sides. What do I need to be preparing for?

 

[PirateGirl]

Are your chickens trained to go back in the coop on their own at night or do you have to herd/catch them and put them in? If they already go back in the coop on their own, then you have nothing to worry about. Just bring food and water and open up the door as usual. They will be just fine!

I have more problems with things like gate hinges and coop locks freezing up than with the actual chickens.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Don’t put the water in the coop, make sure there is plenty of ventilation, Vaseline any of your big combed birds.

 

[SueT]

They do eventually get used to snow and ice....

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Living in upstate NY, my flock is used to the frigid winters. Just be sure that the coop is dry with plenty of ventilation.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

A help to both you and the chickens might be in the form of tarps. If you can lay one over the top and possibly North/West sides, that will help a lot in keeping the snow out. Then you can leave feed and water out side and the chicks can come out to eat and drink out of the elements.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Are your birds acclimated? Do you have a heated water system?

 

[SueT]

There is currently a featured thread about chickens, snow, and winter
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chickens-in-winter.1291757/

 

[NhRN]

My chickens will stay in the coop (I keep the door closed so the wind and weather stay out) and then when the storm is over, I shovel some of their 20'x20' run and put some hay down for them to walk on. The underneath of their coop is protected so basically if I can make them a path, they will enjoy the outdoors when the sun comes out! I have found mine do not like to walk in the snow so I like to think they appreciate the hay!

 

[PirateGirl]

Seriously, they will be fine we get 3-5 inches of snow at least once a week for months on end.

Occasionally there is a bird that for one reason or another does not do well in the snow/cold. Signs to look out for that a bird is not doing well would be that they are acting lethargic, standing on one leg, puffed up, not moving, eyes closed, constantly... yes they may do some of these things at times, alternate which leg they stand on to keep their foot warm, but for the most part they should walk around and scratch and peck and do normal chicken things. They may opt to stay in their coop if they have not seen snow before, and this is ok too.