Free Rangers in the Winter

[DutchieWannabe]

My chickens get to Free Range (more or less) in our decently sized back yard all day long. they have a built run but from the way they squak each morning ~like they are caged animals~ I know they like it out in the yard and they are spoiled. only put back in their coop at night and for a weekly mowing. my question is, in the Winter, will they spend more time in their coop for warmth and sleep (longer dark hours) or when its cold and snowy do chickens still like to free range all day?

 

[SmartyChick]

It really depends. If your run is covered and the snow can't get in there they will hang out in the run. If you get a lot of snow in your run and outside in the yard, they will most likely stay in the coop. My chickens HATE the snow but some are more adventurous than others and I continue to free range them, but most don't leave the coop. I think my chickens do sleep in during the winter, I mean, it's not like they have eggs to lay