I am in northern WI and we have had snow and -0 temps for quite a while- -20 last night. My young hens will not go out in the snow and cold. They are content to stay in the coop( insulated and inside a garage) all day and night. They are laying and eating well and moving around between the roosts and the nesting boxes. I keep adding wood chips every couple of days and have a heater for their water as well as light on a timer. Should I be forcing them out or can they wait for better weather?
Agreed, sounds like they're fine. Continue to allow access to outside. They mau choose to stay in and avoid the frigid temps outside for quite awhile.
Mine are in a big heated garage-we have a heater that will not allow it to go below 30 degrees but not much above either. They come to a screeching halt everyday when I open the door-they look outside and turn around! They are not having this snow-which is fine it justs makes more of a stinky mess for me to take care of more often! bleah
I am in NE Ohio and mine are in a metal shed most of the time.There were only a few days where I saw them outside when I shoveled the snow off the grass.Due to hawks and a non-secure run I have to stay outside with mine.While I shovel snow I leave the door open. I think it is fine as long as they have some leg room. The only issue with mine is they go crazy everytime I open the shed door thinking I have some fresh mealworms for them! I only have enough to feed them worms once a day.I rake around the pine shavings,but I am itching to do a full cleaning on the next 30 degree day.
Mine stay inside most of the time too these days. Single digits and teens here. I have cardboard on a few of the ledges in the coop to help get rid of poop right now.
