How can I keep my hens happy?

[Headers Hen House]

Here in Minnesota, the weather can get shitty.

What can I do to make sure my hens are happy and not getting seasonal depression like their owners?
- I tried the hanging cabbage, but they don't seem to care for it.


Also, it was sleeting and snowing today. They didn't leave the run even though they're free range. I assume they probably didn't know what to do with themselves but is there anything I can do for them?

 

[Chickassan]

Pumpkins, are good. Cut holes in it and put treats in the holes raisins, mealworms,peanuts. That will entertain them for quite a bit.

 

[pineapple416]

Here are some links with border buster ideas for your hens...

• http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2013/02/10-boredom-busters-for-chickens.html
• http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2015/02/20-winter-boredom-busters-for-backyard.html
• https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/the-best-boredom-busters-to-keep-your-chickens-busy

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

Here's a few ways you can keep your chickens happy and healthy in cold weather.

1. If it's snowing/snowed recently, shovel up snow in their pen/free range area. If the ground doesn't have so much freezing cold snow on it, they'll be more likely to come out of their run/coop.
2. Be sure that their water isn't frozen in cold weather. If it is for too long, chickens can get dehydrated. If you do have frozen water, either break the ice with a nearby strong object, or put a pet pad that heats up under the water bowl to keep it from freezing.
3. Be sure that in the winter months, if they have a coop door, lock them in at night as often as you can. If you do this, your chickens will be less cold, because the winter air can go into your coop if you don't latch the door.
4. Make sure your chickens have the proper feed they need in winter. In winter, the best foods to feed chickens are whole corn and bread. These foods help keep their egg production going in winter.

Hope this helped!

 

[chickens really]

Hello,
I don't change feed during winter...I feed Grower all year with oyster shell in a separate dish..I also provide grit separately...My Run is covered by a Tarp so my Chickens go out daily all winter if it's not storming...I toss out a flake of Alfalfa Hay for them to forage around in..
I heat my Coop although it's not too warm..My water will ice up..
Feeding corn or bread does not promote egg production..Day light hours or artificial light added will keep them laying...
Best of luck...

 

[aart]

Here in Minnesota, the weather can get shitty.
What can I do to make sure my hens are happy and not getting seasonal depression like their owners?
- I tried the hanging cabbage, but they don't seem to care for it.
Also, it was sleeting and snowing today. They didn't leave the run even though they're free range. I assume they probably didn't know what to do with themselves but is there anything I can do for them?

Best not to attribute human reactions, emotions, conditions to animals.
They'll be fine as long as they have good dry shelter out of the wind, good feed and liquid water(this last one can be a challenge, get it figured out soon, maybe you already did). The best way to keep birds content in winter is to have lots of weather proof space both inside and outside the coop. You can enhance those spaces by having places to get up on and under...roosts, logs, stumps, pallet leaned against walls or up on blocks, old chairs/tables...anything to climb/perch on or go under.
Space is key, I kept too many birds last winter, it wasn't jam packed crowded but too many birds in space I have caused some stress behaviors.