col, rain and snow

[preciouschick]

My hens have a dry coop with an attached run. The back side where the north wind comes is covered with a tarp and hay bales stacked behind that. I also covered the bottom sides with plastic. There is an attached 10 x 10 run the back and halfway on the sides is covered with heavy plastic. on the north side. There is also a roof.
Today its been raining, and windy. They stay out all day and go in between sunset and last light. They dont seem to mind the rain that does come in. The rain came in today where there is no plastic. They pretty much stay out of the rain, but some do get wet. Should I worry about the snow, rain and wind as it gets colder, or do they have any sense to not get soaked in the cold? In the summer they get soaking wet and I am worried they might not have sense to protect themselves in winter. I am in southern PA.

 

[CluckerFamily]

My run winterizing doesn't allow a lot of snow into the run and I always have the bossy hens hollering at me until I shovel piles of snow into the run for them to eat.

 

[Deenok]

Yes they should stay dry and protected from the wind. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation but shelter from the elements

 

[NatJ]

They pretty much stay out of the rain, but some do get wet. Should I worry about the snow, rain and wind as it gets colder, or do they have any sense to not get soaked in the cold? In the summer they get soaking wet and I am worried they might not have sense to protect themselves in winter. I am in southern PA.

Chickens are usually pretty good at knowing when they need to see shelter.
Even if the surface of the feathers is wet, they are often dry underneath.

And when the temperature goes below freezing, there will be snow instead of rain. Snow can often be shaken off by the chickens, instead of soaking into their feathers, so they will probably not get really wet when it is also really cold.

 

[preciouschick]

Chickens are usually pretty good at knowing when they need to see shelter.
Even if the surface of the feathers is wet, they are often dry underneath.

And when the temperature goes below freezing, there will be snow instead of rain. Snow can often be shaken off by the chickens, instead of soaking into their feathers, so they will probably not get really wet when it is also really cold.

thank you for the info. Glad they will be set for winter.

 

[preciouschick]

My run winterizing doesn't allow a lot of snow into the run and I always have the bossy hens hollering at me until I shovel piles of snow into the run for them to eat.

that's funny. hope my girls enjoy snow also.

 

[CluckerFamily]

that's funny. hope my girls enjoy snow also.

I'm always laughing when I am shoveling snow in because I am just imagining what the people driving by are thinking as they see me doing this

 

[aart]

Your setup look pretty weather proof, good job.
Might want to screw in a trim board in place of those rocks tho.