Integrating Indoor Chicken Outdoors in the Cold

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Hello,

My BO recently recovered from a vague illness that had her staying in a temp controlled environment (about 68 degrees) for about a week. Since she seems to be back to 100%, I've been letting her free-range with the girls for the last two days, in temps ranging from the 50s-60s. Today, she spent the whole day (supervised) in the run with everyone and did great. I wanted to let her go to roost with them, but did not realize how much the temp would be dropping tonight. Our high today reached 70, but the low will go into the upper 30s. Tonight's low is going to be 38. Will that be too much of a shock to her? If so, I will scoop her off and bring her in for the night. I believe subsequent nights will be getting warmer.

I don't want to rush her integration, but I also don't want to dilly dally because the longer I wait, the harder a time she'll have integrating/adjusting. But, of course, above all I want her to be healthy and happy.

Thanks for your insights!

 

[aart]

If she was getting along, I'd have let her go to roost with the others.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

If she was getting along, I'd have let her go to roost with the others.

That's my inkling. You don't think the temp change will be too much a shock for her system? Low of 38, but it will still creep back up to be a balmy 70 degrees again tomorrow. Crazy weather!

 

[aart]

That's my inkling. You don't think the temp change will be too much a shock for her system? Low of 38, but it will still creep back up to be a balmy 70 degrees again tomorrow. Crazy weather!

Nah, might go check after dark tho make sure sh'es roosting with them.
I assume you've brought her back inside for tonight?
If so, open a window in the room she's in to cool the ambient temp.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Nah, might go check after dark tho make sure sh'es roosting with them.
I assume you've brought her back inside for tonight?
If so, open a window in the room she's in to cool the ambient temp.

I hadn't yet. She actually has a habit of sleeping in nesting boxes--I took her out and put her on a roost with the others and she's since been there. Only then did I realize the drop was going to be dramatic (so I'm willing to go grab her if that'd be best for tonight). She's got 7 others up there with her, so I'm sure that creates some extra heat. Last I checked she was huddled up against two.

I think some of her issues are social. Like her digestive distress mirrors social anxiety or something. She's kinda the flock misfit. She's towards the bottom of the pecking order, but seems to be overly dramatic about things. She forages with "the big 3" (my top hens), and eats/drinks/preens while in the run with the others. There's one chicken she chases around, causing drama. But she really gets herself worked up. To be honest, I've observed her TONS, and she is truly not subject to bullying beyond normal pecking order behaviors that they all endure (ex. a hen acting as though they're giving chase but not actually following through, or a single peck on the shoulders to reinforce who's in charge--no feather plucking, blood drawn, or getting ganged up on).

She has always been my drama queen and I love her, and do hope she carves out a space for herself that she can fully relax into. In the meantime I'll check her crop every night/morning, keep an eye on her poops, and ensure she's not taking any steps backwards in recovery.

 

[aart]

Just leave her to be a chicken......don't overthink it.

 

[azygous]

I agree with my pal, @aart . If it was below freezing, I would hesitate. But 38 isn't that big of a temp spread.

My chickens experience this each time a cold front comes in. It bunches up warm air in front of it, and the temp is a balmy 75. Then that night, it dives down to the high 20s. The chickens get grumpy, but they manage just fine. Remember, they huddle close on the perch sharing body heat. She'll be fine.

 

[Mrs. K]

Even below freezing - as long as she is dry, she will be fine. I think you would cause MORE problems removing her from the flock, than leaving her with the flock.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

Thanks @aart @azygous and @Mrs. K. I did leaver her out and she appears to be doing fine upon waking up. Eating, drinking, preening, etc. Once she stays consistently well and starts roosting with the others without me interfering, I consider it a full win!

 

[aart]

Thanks @aart @azygous and @Mrs. K. I did leaver her out and she appears to be doing fine upon waking up. Eating, drinking, preening, etc. Once she stays consistently well and starts roosting with the others without me interfering, I consider it a full win!

Good!
'Interfere' only as a last resort.