Free Range in Snowy Weather: What do you do?

[BY Bob]

This is very timely. We have not had consistent snow cover this year and the girls are very grateful. They hate snow. In fact, I can see my poor leghorn's (Daisy) feet turn red when she is standing in snow. I usually let them out to free range in the afternoon. Just after I let them out on Monday, this happened:

They ran right back into the coop and would not come back out.

The have a 12 foot by 6 foot covered run that in past years I have had to shovel out because the snow has been so deep they can't get into it. For example, we had a single storm that dropped 31 inches a while back. I then spread straw around for them to walk on and scratch in. If they do get out with snow cover, they will stick to the paths running through the yard. No matter what, they will find their way to the back door in order to beg for treats!

 

[The Phantom]

That's cute. I have 2 that will fly to the food because they don't want to touch the snow. Even an inch! And the rest of my lady's don't care. Except the roosters they sit in the coop and eat, sleep, and get fat!

 

[Blooie]

Mine have a run covered hoop style run. Well, it's mostly covered...it has areas wide open for ventilation. Their pop door is open 24/7 so they move freely between their large run and the coop. I open up the people doors almost every day. Those that want to go out are free to do so. I'm surprised that most of them, even the Silkies, choose to do just that. They tend to stick the path in the snow made by us going out there to do chores or the little sidewalk that runs along the side of the house, but they can and do hit the deep snow at times and make their own paths.

 

[yyz0yyz0]

Sorry I'm going to hijack this thread slightly.

Regarding using hay/straw for the chickens. During the Halloween season, I'll stop at any business I see with hay/straw bales set out of decorations and ask if they need someone to take them away for them when they are done using them for decorations. My best score is a restaurant that every year puts out about a doz bales under their front overhang. They are glad to have someone take them away when they are done and because they are under cover they are mostly completely dry when I get them. Another good source for me is a local self pick apple farm. They do a big "family" thing at harvest time for apples and put out a bunch of bales for both decoration and to delineate driveways and parking areas. These bales tend to be wetter so many of them just go straight into the garden/compost.

Just a suggestion on scoring free bales for upcoming winter snowfalls.

 

[lazy gardener]

Excellent idea. I do the same regarding leaves. I passed a yard a couple of years ago, noting that the yard was studded with lots of full sized shade trees, and there were a few bags of leaves at the edge of the drive way. I went to the door.... met by a little old lady who had not yet had any one ask for her leaves. So, I asked. Got 100 bags that year, and gifted her a dozen eggs. Win/win situation for both of us. She was more than happy to have me take them away, and they were bagged. The only down side is that, both this and last year, I only got about 15 bags of leaves that were mostly dry. The rest were very wet, very heavy (contractor bags) and gathered in freezing nasty weather due to the fact that she does not have reliable help to rake them for her. She was looking for me to come back this year, as well!!!

 

[mobius]

Still favorite perch, 15F outside!

Learning to stand in snow...



We love our repurposed dustbath planting bed! A necessary stopover on our daily rounds...."Still having fun just a-lying in the sun...."

Small dog observes chickens at safe distance

Slightly less safe distance...

Chickens now at dog door to great concern of small dog, who cannot get in the house without running chicken gauntlet. Plus, if chickens figure out dog door, life as we know it could change...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Your dog is adorable.

 

[poodlechicks]

Still favorite perch, 15F outside! Learning to stand in snow... We love our repurposed dustbath planting bed! A necessary stopover on our daily rounds...."Still having fun just a-lying in the sun...." Small dog observes chickens at safe distance Slightly less safe distance... Chickens now at dog door to great concern of small dog, who cannot get in the house without running chicken gauntlet. Plus, if chickens figure out dog door, life as we know it could change...

funny post! Let us know if they figure out that doggy door

 

[mobius]

Awww, thank you I think she is too!

Very sweet natured as well! Note how she and chickens about same size

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

One of mine is small like that. When she turns her back sometime the chickens make a swipe at her.