Hens too nervous to come out and eat

[stausshaus]

Hi!
I have 6 hens who are 17 weeks old. We live in Southeastern WI and are dealing with some pretty frigid temps with the “bomb cyclone”. I have our run all tarped up, to deter some of the frigid winds, however my hens are pretty nervous by the big winds and the tarp freaks them out as well. I can hardly get them to come out to eat and drink, since they’re so nervous and the temps are so cold. Should I put their food and water in the coop? It’s not that large, and I’m nervous about bringing extra moisture in the coop -but also nervous about them getting what they need! Ahhhg! Help a newbie out!

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Hi!
I have 6 hens who are 17 weeks old. We live in Southeastern WI and are dealing with some pretty frigid temps with the “bomb cyclone”. I have our run all tarped up, to deter some of the frigid winds, however my hens are pretty nervous by the big winds and the tarp freaks them out as well. I can hardly get them to come out to eat and drink, since they’re so nervous and the temps are so cold. Should I put their food and water in the coop? It’s not that large, and I’m nervous about bringing extra moisture in the coop -but also nervous about them getting what they need! Ahhhg! Help a newbie out!

Also a newbie! Mine aren't coming out either (Southern IL) I did put their food and water in the coop, and left one door open as an option if they dare to venture out. (They also have food and water in the run).


My girls went and lost their minds with the weather change SMH lol

 

[triciayoung]

I had to move mine inside for this reason. The tarps with the wind were scaring them so much.

 

[Chickhawk]

I add a tarp around the run every fall here and remove it in the spring. It scares them for the first few days but then they get used to it. I have a heated dog bowl for them in the run to avoid moisture in the coop. Grain in feeders in the coop and the run. I scatter an alfalfa bail all over the ground of the run so they don't freeze their feet, they scratch and eat it so I need to renew from time to time. Been doing that for several years and my girls are doing fine up here.

 

[stausshaus]

Thanks for the replies! I ended up bringing them into an old coop enclosure in my garage. My rooster got frostnip on his toes, so he had to come inside and I really didn’t want the girlies to possibly suffer the same fate. It’s still pretty cold in the garage, but much more protected from the wind and elements, I realize they’re hardy, it was just soooo cold with the wind (-36 here, and -9 without the wind).
Hopefully bringing them somewhere that is still pretty cold won’t effect their hardiness to the cold.

 

[triciayoung]

Thanks for the replies! I ended up bringing them into an old coop enclosure in my garage. My rooster got frostnip on his toes, so he had to come inside and I really didn’t want the girlies to possibly suffer the same fate. It’s still pretty cold in the garage, but much more protected from the wind and elements, I realize they’re hardy, it was just soooo cold with the wind (-36 here, and -9 without the wind).
Hopefully bringing them somewhere that is still pretty cold won’t effect their hardiness to the cold.

Good decision.