Free ranging with deep snow on the ground

[dolly85]

We have 2-3+ ft of snow on the ground right now. Got to love Wisconsin! My chickens are used to the snow and like to walk on the paths the dogs and I make every time we go out to the coop. Normally they don't like to walk in the deep fluffy stuff, but they have on occasion after being frightened. As long as your chickens have a path back to the coop I suspect they'll go back home without a hassle.

 

[chickfamilyonsleepyhollow]

Only one of the girls ventured out of the coop for a couple of hours and found bare ground under some shrubs then headed back to the coop ... I'm sure she told a big story of her exciting day out in the wild

 

[chickenshagg]

Yesterday I finally broke down and shoveled some of the run as well as a path out. That was not good enough for the girls to come out so I went and got several clumps of straw. I put that down and was able to coax some of the girls out. Eventually the big man came out and then the other girls followed. After that I went back to the house. A short time later I was standing in the kitchen and saw a train of chickens making their way through the snow and around the house to the driveway that was cleared of snow. I was so thrilled to see them out and about that I had to go out and give them some scratch and other treats. They hung out in the driveway and garage all day. When I went out at dusk to close them up I had two girls that did not go back to the coop. I tried to coax them back with some food but they would not follow me. I tried to catch them but they were a little too quick. That made me break out the fish net. I thought I could just use it as a shepards hook but one of the two turned and ran right into the net. I then picked her up and carried her to the coop, the other one ran to the coop in front of us. Big day for all the girls, out and about after being cooped up all week.

Today I was rewarded for forcing them out into the sunshine and fresh air. I got nine eggs from ten hens!!!

I can't remember the last time I got that many eggs in one day.