Chiockens in the winter north country

[Ed Brown]

I have a silly question. Why don't chickens/hens want to walk in the snow? My flock of 33 hens stay inside in a horse stall in the winter, but on a warm, sunny day I leave the back door open, throw out some bread or cracked corn on the snow and they will go without before they'll step in the snow. I find this quite odd. But, this is my first winter with poultry and have learned MUCH.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

My chickens don't like fluffy snow either - it's cold, wet and unfamiliar. My chickens will wait for me to shovel a little path. They don't seem to mind packed down snow as much.