do you keep your chickens in the coop in winter or let them out in run

[blueseal]

i have a10x12 high side barn for my 23 chickens and they have 200 sq ft of outside fenced area to roam but in the winter they dont like the snow. so should i build a run with a roof so they have outside access or will they be fine cooped up.

 

[The Chicken People]

Good question....

 

[Fay at Frizzled Feathers]

They will be just fine with what you have for them as long as they have access into the barn at all times.


Of course a covered run is always nice to have and the chickens would enjoy it i am sure .

 

[Opa]

I agree with what Fay said. Mine go in and out all winter.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Mine come and go. They aren't big on the snow but will jump/fly to areas where the snow has melted.

 

[Luvin Life]

Mine do both as well. They don'tcare much for the snow but will go in a little bit.

 

[yellowchickensmomma]

I was wondering about that too. This winter will be my first with chickens. Thanks.

 

[Sissy]

I kept mine in their coop last year with a heat lamp.and a window slightly opened.
but this winter they are going into their new run with a metal roof
attached to their coop and hope they will enjoy it,
I am looking foward to see how they take to the snow , If we get some
like last year.

 

[patandchickens]

If your chickens don't go out in the snow much -- and I have to say, mine don't much care for it either, at least not for long periods of time -- then with the coop being that small, it would be a really really good idea to roof some run for them if you can afford it.

It can be a bit pricey though b/c you have to engineer it to withstand snow and wind, you end up essentially building a wall-less shed and that takes a Bit O' Lumber plus of course the roofing itself.

Mind, I have a roofed run that I wrap most of the way around in plastic, and they STILL don't spend all *that* much time out there. For me, the real solution is to provide lots and lots of indoor space -- like 15 sq ft per hen indoors, and I would never go lower than 10 sq ft per hen indoors.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[LynneP]

Like Pat, we have lots of room indoors and out. Unless it is very severe we open the pop door to a roofed run and let them decide. I never let them out before sunrise and I always have them in before sunset and we're heavily predator-proofed. We use 1/4" plyboard on the bottom half of the run as snow boards, and we use thick vinyl on the west end because the majority of severe wind comes from that side. Heated dog bowl as a waterer indoors and if the temps are above freezing I give them water outdoors too. Mine are snow babies, locally provided and raised with deep feathercoats. Mutts, I admit and great layers!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-seasonal-concerns