First snow falling

[Rick M]

They finally all went out yesterday afternoon. I just didnt want them to be stuck in their coop even though its large.

 

[Callender Girl]

Apparently, my Buff Orp is a sissy. We had snow flurries yesterday, not even any real accumulation, and Honey refused to dethrone from her high roost. Her coop mates, a pair of Salmon Faverolles, had a great time running all over the place.

 

[aart]

They never like to go out on the first snow, but they get used to it.
Some don't like it at all and others it doesn't seem to faze as long as it isn't too deep.
They can't really avoid it here, we get lots but I keep parts of run shoveled out.

 

[sourland]

Chickens hate change, and 'first snow' is change especially to birds that have never experienced snow before. Deep snow they never appreciate.

 

[Ridgerunner]

When snow falls overnight and they wake up to a strange white world mine tend to stay inside for a couple of days. If there is grass or weeds sticking up out of the snow usually within a couple of days they wander out. Once I had some wade through about 9" of snow to go check out the compost pile where they like to forage, plus some other favorite spots. Some are a lot more willing to go out than others.

I took this photo in 2013. This 1" snow fell during the day when they were already out. The change was gradual enough they stayed out.

Mine do not like a cold wind hitting them. If there is a relatively strong cold wind they avoid it. But if the wind is not blowing they go outside. I took this photo several years ago when it was 4 degrees above zero Fahrenheit I leave the pop door open and let them decide if they want to go out. As long as a cold wind is not blowing they go out.