Help! Chicken out all night in a blizzard!

[erinchelsea]

DH just came in with one of our White Rock pullets (hatched in May). She somehow got locked out of the coop last night and we had our first blizzard! She is covered in snow and ice, otherwise looks okay- DH said when he got near her she got up and ran away. I don't know what to do! I don't want to make it worse if she has frostbite! For now, I've got her wrapped in towels in the bathtub- I'm trying to find info online but haven't found anything. If anyone has experience I'd be very grateful!

 

[macybean]

My friend (who I split my chicks with) had her entire flock (only 6 hens, but still, it was all of them!) get stuck in an ice storm. A couple were literally frozen to the ground. She brought them in the house and left them in the bathroom with the bathtub full of warm water. They were all fine...not sure how the bathroom survived. So I guess if they're walking around, dry and acting normal, I would put them back out in their coop.
I laugh every time I think of her chickens flapping around her bathroom all day...so thank you for reminding me of that. I really needed to laugh.

 

[erinchelsea]

LOL! Well that's encouraging! My bathroom's nothing special...I'm not too worried about that.

Thanks!

 

[Fred's Hens]

We had a half dozen birds escape death row one year. They spent the entire winter out in the pine trees, right through below zero temps, wind, and snow. They were fine. In spring, I finally rounded them up and put them in the hen house, where they laid up a storm. Chickens are pretty tough, really. My guess is your birds will be fine. Wait until she's good and warm, dry all the way through and return her to the roost.

Show folks bathe their birds for the shows and blow them dry with a hair dryer.

 

[erinchelsea]

Wow, that's amazing! Thanks Fred!

I hosed her down with warm-ish water and she pecked at me. I'll consider that a good sign!

 

[Gargoyle]

The blow drier is a real treat for them, just don't aim it at their face and be careful it doesn't get too hot.

Your chick will be fine, just dry her off.

 

[redsoxs]

Mother nature is amazing! The chicken was probably more scared than cold. Glad it was alright.

 

[Muffin14143]

Wow! You are lucky. Poor little hen. Yes, as someone stated before, use a hairdryer on her. If her legs are stiff, I would give her a little soak with epsom salt, under supervision of course, or a nice epsom salt compress. I believe on the web there is a "chicken gatorade" recipe, which only requires at-home items. Just keep her warm, and keep her inside until she's recovered. Don't take her out to early, she could get sick, and that requires vet $$. I think you should bring some other hens in to see her at least once a day to keep her integrated with the flock, so they don't pick on her when she comes back outside. Hope she gets better soon.