How many of you let your chickens free range in the wintertime?

[mrsbos]

Quote:
I've heard many people say that the makers of chicken coops always overstate the number of birds it can hold.

 

[colowyo0809]

We open the door in the morning, close it in the evening. Make sure they have food and water. Collect eggs during the day, occasionally turn the bedding or add new on top. The only chickens we have that are confined are the newbies that we brought home that did not integrate well, so they are getting used to each other before trying again

They'll go out in rain and snow and heat and cold. If it's too cold, they'll bunch together in the coop and under the deck, under the trees and other places.

 

[aka Rachel]

I do. Funny to follow their chicken tracks in the snow

 

[JustOneMore]

We give our girls the option to go out no matter what the weather. This fall we put up a portable garage by the coop. It's sole purpose is to give them a place to move around outside without having to deal with rain or snow. They love it!

 

[LauraG]

I would let them out all year, but am also having a miserable time with hawks.

They would surely be dead if I let them out all day like I did in the spring and summer.

Never had a problem with hawks till the weather turned.

Ugh, its so frustrating!!!!!

 

[Chick Charm]

I free range mine every day except when away on vacation. My squak and bok every morning to be let out. Weather is not really an issue in San Diego.

 

[6chix]

Mine free range year round, however this time of year when its cold they only go out for an hour or so and then head back to the coop(can't say I blame them)

 

[CCFarms9559]

Mine have a covered outdoor run, but I never let them free range. I live in the country on a farm and we have predators like crazy. Caught 18 raccoons at the BARN about 100 yards from the house this summer and watched coyotes drink from the pond behind the house. We trap, hunt, SSS, and there appears to be no end. I tried ducks on the pond and they got every one of them, in broad daylight. One while I was standing there.... Wish they could free range, but just can't stand to watch them disappear.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Mine free range year round. We do have our property fenced so they can't get in the neighbors yards, but they have over an acre of green grass, trees and bugs for the majority of the year. When the green browns out, now they will be getting sprouts

 

[amberflea]

I open the little bird door for them to go in their fenced yard, but they haven't ventured past their ramp yet... we had 14" of snow Sunday, and it was -20F yesterday morning and -8F this morning. they are just big "chickens"

and won't leave the coop!!

I keep the guineas locked in their coop/fenced in yard, or they'd be stuck up in a tree afraid to come down with all the snow!