Hurricane preparations

[Harrelltn93]

So I am in the foothills of NC but they are expecting a lot of heavy wind and rain. The way things are looking there could be quite a bit of damage done. I’m curious if I should keep the chickens locked up in the coops or let them out to seek shelter in the trees? I don’t have a run, my birds free range. I’m worried about a tree or branch falling on the coop since there are a lot of trees nearby. I’m not really too worried about flooding in my area more so damage from wind debris. TIA

 

[Grits&Eggs]

Living in Florida, we have a solid hurricane plan! LOL, last years knocked the power out for 7 days -
We lock them in the coop, but our run floods so we have a couple pallets we anchor down during storms and storm windows that fit the coop.
But, I dont' have any trees close to the coop, only bushes. So, I am not sure how they would do in the trees....mine don't free range - and, I am in the city.

 

[Cyprus]

I have no experience with hurricanes.
From an outsider's perspective I am pretty concerned about predation and literally being blown away; that happened to my chickens.
I think you safer keeping them locked up. Save yourself the potential heartache.

 

[BlackHackle]

So I am in the foothills of NC but they are expecting a lot of heavy wind and rain. The way things are looking there could be quite a bit of damage done. I’m curious if I should keep the chickens locked up in the coops or let them out to seek shelter in the trees? I don’t have a run, my birds free range. I’m worried about a tree or branch falling on the coop since there are a lot of trees nearby. I’m not really too worried about flooding in my area more so damage from wind debris. TIA

I hear Hurricane Florence is coming in.
So sorry for all you in NC

 

[Jase The Butcher]

Yea, it doesn't sound fun. up here we are getting bizarrely early blizzards. I know it's canada...but

 

[deepbluesea]

I'm down on the coast, and we appear to be screwed. < that's a hope we aren't screwed emoji.

I lock mine in my shed, not their coop, because it's built like a house and much bigger. It worked during the last two storms, but they weren't like Flo. I'm worried. But with the winds we're going to get I don't think letting them out is the answer for me. My biggest concern if/when we evacuate is getting back. I have enough crazy friends that I can probably get someone to come over and check/let them out post-storm, but the few times I've evacuated, it's been a pain to get back home after. Good luck!

 

[EggWalrus]

If you have a sturdy barn or other shelter you might want to put them in there. It's gonna get rough with the winds there. If you don't have a barn, and the chicken house will hold up to the winds, it might be the safest place even if a tree fell on it. How big and sturdy is your chicken house?

 

[EggWalrus]

During a hurricane, if you (or chickens) don't have walls Between you and all the flying debris, you'd get impaled and be as good as dead. Trees, limbs, trash and all kinds of other projectiles will be flying around, a chicken in a tree would not stand a chance!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Depending on your proximity to landfall, the chickens could be blown into the next county if left outside. Once the wind dies down, flooding will be your biggest concern.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Pictures of coop and other buildings would help too.