How long *could* they stay in the coop?

[DianeS]

I'm looking out my window at a genuine Rocky Mountain Blizzard right now! It's been snowing for 3 hours and we have 7 inches of snow - and it's supposed to keep snowing for 15 more hours.

Which led me to my question.... For those people who have chickens here right now, assuming 4 feet of coop space for each chicken, and adequate food and water, just how many days could the chickens remain cooped up without going into the run? Even after it stops snowing, and someone shovels, it'll just blow around again and cover up the bare spots... urk!

 

[the lemon tree]

I'm in Colorado too and am probably getting the same kind of snow you are. Personally, under the conditions that you described, I'd try to avoid keeping them "cooped up" no more than 2-3 days at the 4 sq.ft/bird minimum. Mine get cabin fever and will start picking at each other from boredom and claustrophobia. I would also think that light, either natural or artificial, is important here especially since like humans, I imagine it maintains the body's natural processes (i.e. helping production of Vitamin D, thus calcium absorption, regulates mood, etc.) There are just my personal observations though; I hope others can give you better and more reliable feedback.

Is it possible to throw a tarp over at least part of your run and wrap the sides so they can have some kind of ranging space? That's what I did for the few really bad days we got here in the Springs.

 

[patandchickens]

Sorry, that's like "how long is a piece of string".

Some chickens will start pecking and disassembling each other just *overnight* with 4 sq ft per chicken; some (it would be pretty uncommon) could spend weeks or even months like that and not kill each other. It just depends. And there is really no way to predict where your particular chickens' "frustration threshold" is going to be.

You can open the popdoor (if necessary, shovel the run a bit, and if the ground gets icy you can toss down a thin layer of hay or straw) and let them decide whether to go out. Or even manually chuck them out the door, fi they seem to need help in getting the idea

This will not eliminate the possibility of them getting stir-crazy but it will reduce it.

GOod luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[blacktailsmom]

I saw somewhere in my wandering where people have tied up fruit or lettuce heads from the rafters of the coops to keep the girls entertained. I think the other idea was having them eat peanut butter, but that was more for the entertainment of the parents.

 

[CityChook]

I think everyone's different. My chickens stay inside basically for 5 months even tho the pop door is open and the run is covered. They're princesses. But I have more than 4 sq/ft each, too. If you're worried, I'd open the door and shove 'em out. They'll protest, but maybe if there is a treat outside they'll hang out. They won't melt and they certainly can handle the cold -- heck, if it's snowing that means it's at least 32F outside. That's the bahamas in this part of the country... They might be more willing if there's straw on top of the snow, dunno.

 

[calicokat]

Even though I opened the door for them, mine thought that white stuff was poison and wouldn't venture out until it melted! Silly little girls!