Cold weather---where should the girls be???

[samuels]

I have eight hens who I lock up in the coop at night. During the day they are free to go into their fenced yard and back and forth into the coop. I am in Northern Indiana. Should I let them go out into the cold every day = even when it is real cold? Or should I keep them locked up in the coop on cold days? How cold is too cold? Thanks for the help, I'm just new at this (a couple months or so). Larry

 

[Wildsky]

Larry,
Browse around the forum, there are LOTS of folks asking abotu the cold, and lots of pic's of chickens running around in the snow.

I keep mine closed up at night, and open up during the day - every day.

 

[Charlie Chicken]

Since we haven't yet figured out how to talk with chickens so we can ask them which they would prefer, we must ask ourselves. Would I prefer to be locked up all day and night or would I like to go outside and play?

As for "how cold is cold", if you have provided them with an open "chicken door" so they can come and go as they please, they will decide for themselves which side of the door they would rather be on.

All we need to do as caretakers is to open the chicken door in the morning and close it at night and they will take care of the rest.

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

The only time I didn't open the popdoor to the henhouse first thing in the AM was when the temps were -9 overnight.. I waited until the airtemps got up to 6 before I let them out in the yard.

Other than that, my girls are free to go inside/outside whenever they want. Their run is covered in clear plastic, so stays a few degrees warmer than the air outside, and no snow. They love it, even when I think it's REALLY cold (10). None of my big girls seem to mind the cold AT ALL. I have 2 silkie mixes that it bothers some, and my little d'anvers roo doesn't seem to be all that cold hardy (although he's still out there, and hasn't frozen to death yet, so maybe he's better off than I think!).

 

[okiechick57]

Quote:
Well said........and I totally agree

 

[Ang]

I let mine out in the cold, too. The only time I leave them locked in the coop is during snow or ice storms and if the wind is blowing in the coop door. They came right out this morning when I opened the door despite the cold.

 

[rdranch]

Ours wanted nothing to do with snow when they saw it for the first time. Gradually thet got used to it and I made sure they had access to their run at all times. I figure that the more used to cold weather they are the more comfortable they will be at night. Gie them plenty of food, water and good shelter and they should be fine.

 

[Scrambled Egg]

Cold weather---where should the girls be???

In the middle?!!

 

[picklespickles]

scramble you crack me up.

 

[Standard Hen]

Quote:
That is exactly what I was going to say!!!!!