IT HAPPENED!!!

[Iluveggers]

someone else said that. Not sure I can get enough straw. There is probably 6" in there! And I have to work from 10:00am-3:30pm so not sure I can get out to get straw tomorrow. I had hoped to only get a dusting in there not that much snow blowing in!

That stinks. Up in NY I keep a bale of straw and bags of dried leaves to throw on snow but it’s much more frequent here.

 

[junior67]

That stinks. Up in NY I keep a bale of straw and bags of dried leaves to throw on snow but it’s much more frequent here.

this is my first year with chickens. I figured the roof covered run and the part of the run under the coop would stay pretty much snow free so they would have that area to use (which is 16x8)so would be fine if the other area had snow. Which the last couple times it has snowed it was good with just a tiny bit blowing in on the edges and I didn't even have the plastic up on the sides then. So figured this time with the plastic up some may blow in from the top but I wasn't thinking that much! So didn't even think of having straw or keeping bags of leaves. I do use the leaves and grass clippings in the run other times. The snow was blowing mainly in one direction so we have some major snow drifts (like 4' high at least in some spots). It is blown up against one part of my run (with 5' walls) and covers almost the whole side of it. the same side it is just about up to my nest boxes which are probably about 3' high (the bottom of them) my husband did shovel some of that area for me. I will get some more pictures in the light in the morning.

mid week they are saying it should be mid 40's here and in the low 50's at the end of the week so at least I know the run will melt (then cause a mess). But I also don't want them in the coop for days either..... I need to see when the grain store near me is open tomorrow to see if I can get some straw to put down in at least a few areas for them.

 

[Iluveggers]

this is my first year with chickens. I figured the roof covered run and the part of the run under the coop would stay pretty much snow free so they would have that area to use (which is 16x8)so would be fine if the other area had snow. Which the last couple times it has snowed it was good with just a tiny bit blowing in on the edges and I didn't even have the plastic up on the sides then. So figured this time with the plastic up some may blow in from the top but I wasn't thinking that much! So didn't even think of having straw or keeping bags of leaves. I do use the leaves and grass clippings in the run other times. The snow was blowing mainly in one direction so we have some major snow drifts (like 4' high at least in some spots). It is blown up against one part of my run (with 5' walls) and covers almost the whole side of it. the same side it is just about up to my nest boxes which are probably about 3' high (the bottom of them) my husband did shovel some of that area for me. I will get some more pictures in the light in the morning.

mid week they are saying it should be mid 40's here and in the low 50's at the end of the week so at least I know the run will melt (then cause a mess). But I also don't want them in the coop for days either..... I need to see when the grain store near me is open tomorrow to see if I can get some straw to put down in at least a few areas for them.

Massachusetts got pummeled with snow. We were talking to some friends out there. Hope everyone around you is doing ok!

 

[junior67]

Massachusetts got pummeled with snow. We were talking to some friends out there. Hope everyone around you is doing ok!

yes we got hammered!!!!! everyone I have talked to is doing good thankfully. We got about 30-34" hard to say with the huge snow drifts. Hope your friends made out well. are they on the East coast where we got slammed? My area seems to be in the jackpot area for most of the storms that hit the east coast of MA. LOL

 

[MochaLatte]

Just went out to make sure everyone’s in and found one of the EEs’ first eggs in the run!!!!
View attachment 2976375

Woooohooo! Congrats! It's a beauty!!!

 

[MochaLatte]

What a mess today was. Snow was blowing in my coop!!! Finally got that stopped but the poop board under their roost was covered in snow. They had snow frozen on the top of their back feathers, praying they will be ok!!!! And a bunch of snow blew in the run. Here is a pic of their run tonight. And one of my yard, the coop is in the back of that picture but hard to see.

My goodness, what a mess indeed!!!

I'm sure your girls will be okay.... they have a safe place out of the snow, so they will be alright. Keep an eye out for signs of frostbite on their toes though - swelling and blisters are a sign of it! As long as they aren't standing in it and sleeping with their feet in snow I wouldn't worry too much about that though. (Ask me how I know about this )

 

[MochaLatte]

someone else said that. Not sure I can get enough straw. There is probably 6" in there! And I have to work from 10:00am-3:30pm so not sure I can get out to get straw tomorrow. I had hoped to only get a dusting in there not that much snow blowing in!

You've got a good sized coop for them- a couple days of being mostly in there will be alright I'm sure.

 

[MochaLatte]

yes we got hammered!!!!! everyone I have talked to is doing good thankfully. We got about 30-34" hard to say with the huge snow drifts. Hope your friends made out well. are they on the East coast where we got slammed? My area seems to be in the jackpot area for most of the storms that hit the east coast of MA. LOL

My daughter has a friend in MA that got 34" as well - I was telling her that you were probably in the same boat! I'm glad you all are doing okay.

 

[MochaLatte]

@junior67

Speaking of messes... I spilled a half bag of pine shavings in my mudroom today. I have video evidence of the disaster... but in cute duckling form.

I grabbed 3 of the babies out of their brooder while I started cleaning the shavings because they were trying to get to me... and they followed me around in a ducky-line the entire time like I was their mother.

 

[junior67]

My goodness, what a mess indeed!!!

I'm sure your girls will be okay.... they have a safe place out of the snow, so they will be alright. Keep an eye out for signs of frostbite on their toes though - swelling and blisters are a sign of it! As long as they aren't standing in it and sleeping with their feet in snow I wouldn't worry too much about that though. (Ask me how I know about this )

Thanks. anytime I went out I mixed up the shavings so that any snow in there was covered over. There wasn't a ton on the floor though just in certain spots so they had spots to stand with out being in the snow. and I cleared off the roost before they went to bed so that should have been ok. I was mainly worried about the bits that blew in on their backs then kinda froze. Hoping the feathers under kept them warm since it just seemed to be on the top layer of feathers. I need to get out and check on them today since my cameras stopped working yesterday. Not sure why but couldn't spend the time yesterday trying to figure it out.