in the winter should my chickens still free range?

[Alyssa516]

Would love to see a picture of Snack Giver's "hang out hut".

 

[Silkie mommy74]

I'm worried about the snow and frost bite as well. I wish I knew how to knit, I'd make them all a touque with a pom pom lol! I am another who absolutely adores her chickens and would feel terrible if something happened to them!

 

[Hokum Coco]

Mine have the option all winter long to free range in the run. Unless the temperature is above freezing mine stay in the coop.

 

[darrylv50]

I have to agree about people making fun of you because you love your chickens. I never thought that I would love chickens. My husband and I got 10 in March, we lost one, so now have 9 happy girls running all over out yard. My grandchildren named them all and they are quite tame because we have held them and handfed them since they were chicks. Whenever the kids come over it is'nt unusual to see them out in the yard carrying around a chicken. I am so attached to them now that I look forward to taking care of them every day and especially collecting those delicious eggs. I have 2 coops for them. We just moved them on the south side of our walkout basement where it will be more protected for them in the winter. I bought some straw bales that we are going to place around the coops to help shelter them from the wind. I am hoping this will be a good spot for them and they will be able to still free range at will.

 

[Virgochic74]

Thanks for the info!! My girls love to be out so I will just go day by day. Its so funny because I thought I was the only crazy person that talks about her Chickens. And yes some roll their eyes but we love those crazy birds regardless. They are very happy girls.

 

[Farmall45]

That's a big coop for 12 lucky birds. 800 square feet is a nice size barn

I am looking at a 8 x 18 coop, part of a 36 x 40 pole barn. Be the southern side of the pole barn. Plan a 12 x 36 covered run area, of which 12 x 18 to be used while vegetation grows on the other 12 x 18. We "free range" only when we can be out around the birds. Nearly lost two hens to Red Tail hawks. Planning on building a "chicken tractor" to allow more, safe "Free Range".

I used or snow blower and cleared yard of snow so birds could "free range" in winter, weather permitting

 

[Farmall45]

You are not crazy! Chickens are fun, entertaining and yes, grand kids love them. We also moved coop/ chicken tractor closer to south side walk out for winter
We also bought chicks in March from TSC. Bought 8 , Red Sex link, ( Isa Brown) all have done well, few issues but with help from Back Yard Chickens and others have learned much this past year.

 

[shmeggs]

I love to talk about chickens also. I still free range mine in the winter unless we have snow then I keep them in the coop. we have had good weather this week and I have let them free range 3 or 4 hours every day.

 

[izzyduck]

This is my chickens first snow, they are now 9 weeks. i have them in there out door coop, tonight so we will see in the morning how they do.