Free Ranging in Snow??

[kristen2678]

I hate to rush the season but we are trying to plan for the upcoming weather in the northeast. We have a small run but have been letting the girls out in the yard when we are home most of the day. What happens in the winter? When we get 3 feet of snow at a whack, am I just out there with the snowblower and shovel making them an area to cluck around in?

 

[lalaland]

yeha, that's pretty much been my experience. The chickens view the first snow with horror, and dislike being out in it - but as they get accustomed to it, they are out more and more. A pathway for them helps, as does an initial sprinkling of leaves/hay/straw/shavings to entice them out into the big wide white world.

you can shorten your workload if you think path versus big square area.... and if you are able to create a path to their favorite places under bushes/shrubs, to the compost pile, etc.....great!.

 

[stephhassler]

I agree - you don't have to shovel too much. Just enough by the coop door so they can get out and roam around. After a while the snow seems to get packed down and then they can walk about without too much trouble.

 

[fldiver97]

Good question.....I wondered about hat too. The path is a great idea! I think I will try to clear an area next to the run and then clear a path to the back corner.
I used to have to do that for one of my dogs....a female that would never think of squatting in wet grass or snow

 

[edb]

SNOW??? That makes me love the south more!

 

[cmom]

There are my brothers birds. They don't have a coop. They live in his barn.

 

[cw]

dont preditor attacks seem to be more common in the winter as well

 

[Equus5O]

What do they free range for in the snow, besides what you toss out for them?

 

[lawnboy57]

We free range in the winter. they will dig in snow just like they do in the leaves. We make a little trail 1 shovel pass . They remember where all their favorite spots r .If its to cold they just stay in the coop some might just stay in. Birds r fun to watch thanks Troy

 

[CherokeeFlats]

I had been wondering that same question. We get really bad weather in the winter here. I had thought about keeping cooped all winter as it can get 40 below with windchill here sometimes!! I dont want my little feathered friends to get frost bite or die (until I'm ready that is) due to the cold!!! We do not have a light in there yet but are looking at a way to do so. should be fairly easy lol.

We have their coop located where it is out of the main wind pretty much. but, sometimes that wind does change directions and I want to make sure they are safe and warm!