Florida Chickens Hating the Snow

[FamilyofThree]

After seeing pictures of all of y'all's chickens happily doing their chicken things in the snow, we were excited to see our flock's reaction when we actually got snow here in Florida. We let them all free range. They scratched around a little at first, but then as the snow began to accumulate, they clustered very unhappily. Three girls and our rooster hung around under the porch and refused to follow us out into the snow even with treats. Three hunkered down in a spot that was somewhat protected between two sheds and a tree. The other two retreated to the coop and wouldn't come out. Of the seven that did, we ended up having to carry every single bird, including the rooster, back to the coop. They simply wouldn't go out into the snow once it was a few inches deep. It is supposed to get down to 16 F here tonight, which is also unheard of. We don't heat our co-op. We did cover the windows a bit to prevent drafts. We have Rhode Island Reds and a Speckled Sussex, which are all supposed to be able to tolerate much colder temperatures than this from what I can see online. Is it just too much of a temperature difference for our birds do you think... or something else?

 

[Callender Girl]

Some chickens like snow, some are indifferent and some -- apparently including yours -- are Just Not Going To Like It.

I am no expert, but as few chickens really like change or new things in their environment, they MAY get used to snow if they have more exposure to it.

And, bless you for carrying your birds back to their coop. What good chicken people you are!

As far as breeds go, I have or have had both breeds you mentioned, and they -- as most chickens CAN (whether they like it or not) -- tolerate much more cold than you would imagine. Monday night, it got down to minus-14 (actual temp; I refuse to think about wind chill) after being in the low 40s, and everyone in my unheated coops did fine. I do try to throw extra pine shavings onto the coop floors to offer a bit of "insulation" from the cold.

As long as your chickens are protected from drafts, and it sounds like you've already handled that, and have enough coop ventilation, they should be okay.

BTW, I have six pullets and one cockerel who are experiencing their first Iowa winter. While many of the older birds huddled in the coops, this little flock seems to embrace the cold and snow. I, on the other hand, do not.

 

[FrostRanger]

I can't wait for my ladies to wake up and experience the snow! Rn they're still in their coop annoyed at me for making all that racket knocking the snow off the tarp above their run lol

 

[FamilyofThree]

It took 3 days but some of them have finally become tolerant of what remains of the snow. They still clearly don't like it, but at least we got some tracks! Who would have ever thought we'd have a snowfall in Florida that was still on the ground 3 days later?!

 

[Evadig]

It took 3 days but some of them have finally become tolerant of what remains of the snow. They still clearly don't like it, but at least we got some tracks! Who would have ever thought we'd have a snowfall in Florida that was still on the ground 3 days later?!

Mine still hate snow and we get it every winter for at least a week.

I still cannot believe y’all got that much snow!