Keeping Chickens Free Range

[ChickyChickens]

Here it is 9 a.m. and it is 26 degrees. I got up early to light a fire in the fireplace and it was in the teens outside. When I finally went out to let the chickens out I really expected that they would not want to come. But they almost ran me over when I opened their door. So, chicens, ducks and geese are all out ranging as if it were a nice warm day. They go inside now and then but don't stay long and then right back out. I was all bundled up to keep warm when I let them out and when I opened the goose pen they hissed at me. Guess they did not recognize me.

LOL! Everyone is getting snow now (we never get snow, i nfact i have nevr seen snow in my life before) and we are in spring here!!

 

[Aphrael]

Here it is 9 a.m. and it is 26 degrees. I got up early to light a fire in the fireplace and it was in the teens outside. When I finally went out to let the chickens out I really expected that they would not want to come. But they almost ran me over when I opened their door. So, chicens, ducks and geese are all out ranging as if it were a nice warm day. They go inside now and then but don't stay long and then right back out. I was all bundled up to keep warm when I let them out and when I opened the goose pen they hissed at me. Guess they did not recognize me.

That is too funny.

I checked around 8:30, and the temp was around 20ish degrees. Checked again just now and it has gone up to 30.

 

[ChickyChickens]

That is too funny.

I checked around 8:30, and the temp was around 20ish degrees. Checked again just now and it has gone up to 30.

Is that good??

 

[jtn42248]

That is too funny.

I checked around 8:30, and the temp was around 20ish degrees. Checked again just now and it has gone up to 30.

34 here and the ducks pools are thawing. I can't believe that they are actually getting in that cold water with big chunks of ice floating around. At least they didn't try ice skating on it earlier.

And yes, ChickyChickens, that is good here in the south where winter usually is in Jan, Feb and Mar. We already had one winter this year. And that was enough. But it is forecast to be 21 tonight and only 39 tomorrow. Where are you located that yu have snow. I know there is snow up north but apparently a lot of people got snow several months early with this front.

 

[Aphrael]

34 here and the ducks pools are thawing. I can't believe that they are actually getting in that cold water with big chunks of ice floating around. At least they didn't try ice skating on it earlier.

And yes, ChickyChickens, that is good here in the south where winter usually is in Jan, Feb and Mar. We already had one winter this year. And that was enough. But it is forecast to be 21 tonight and only 39 tomorrow. Where are you located that yu have snow. I know there is snow up north but apparently a lot of people got snow several months early with this front.

Mine decided it was too cold to be messing with their water pool. They were all actually inside their house this morning rather than standing at the gate screaming bloody murder to be let out. Just checked temp here again and it is only 31 degrees. TOO COLD!

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

Quote:
You guys CRACK me up! The NOAA weatherman here is completely off his Twinkie with a prediction of 6 for a HIGH today! We hit 18 before I headed for my nap, just before Noon? And I'm about 400ft higher than were he predicts? He's having L--O-N-G Liquid Lunches??? Too much Drama on the home front? Duluth, what about you? Everyone seems warm enough under the covers I have, leaning against kindling boxes, against the back side of house.. I'm figuring even the double paned windows emit some heat. Today the Sexlink & leghorn gave me eggs & were out for a bit. Not in the snow that i saw but may have scavengered under the porch. One PR stays in her tree all the time, when it's really cold like this. Not sure what caused it, the girls, but something Squaked & pushed all 3 of the boys out from under the cover this morning. Was like the cover Birthed all 3 of them out differing holes sides! We're supposed to hit 32-34 by Tuesday but I SERIOUSLY doubt it will take that long… Oh, found frozen scratch bowl, was mixed with bread, hot water, quite a ways from back porch. Weird since cat food bowl wasn't touched. Maybe i let Chevy out, don't remember? Coons eat both meat and grain but didn't lose anyone….

 

[duluthralphie]

SmColorInDaPan!!!!


I refuse to look at the thermometer!

I have about 18-20 inches of heavy wet snow. The ground was not frozen so I am having trouble clearing the snow. My Turkeys and Guinea are just sitting on fences and on the chicken run begging for food..

The laying hens have not ventured more than 6 ft outside the coop in 3 days. I had to throw the guinea that was the victim of guinea fowl mob violence outside to fend for himself as he attacked a couple hens out of boredom........ He may or may not be alive, I really do not care he ticked me off...

My 4 CX's I saved to be frog parents next year have not come out of their brooder since Monday morning! I looked inside yesterday and today they are still alive. I have dropped corn at their door to get them out, BUT they refuse to leave their cozy little home. I did drop some corn inside for them. Nothing is venturing to the feeders as it is too cold and the snow is too deep.

The extended forecast shows us below freezing for next 10 days with temps dropping to around 10 below (Fahrenheit) towards the end of the week.


I regret moving back here from Florida every year around this time. Pass the Prozaic, please.



( I feed corn when it is cold like this for the quick carbs and heat energy burning it, and less high protein feed)

 

[Aphrael]

You guys CRACK me up! The NOAA weatherman here is completely off his Twinkie with a prediction of 6 for a HIGH today! We hit 18 before I headed for my nap, just before Noon? And I'm about 400ft higher than were he predicts? He's having L--O-N-G Liquid Lunches??? Too much Drama on the home front?
Duluth, what about you?
Everyone seems warm enough under the covers I have, leaning against kindling boxes, against the back side of house.. I'm figuring even the double paned windows emit some heat. Today the Sexlink & leghorn gave me eggs & were out for a bit. Not in the snow that i saw but may have scavengered under the porch. One PR stays in her tree all the time, when it's really cold like this.
Not sure what caused it, the girls, but something Squaked & pushed all 3 of the boys out from under the cover this morning. Was like the cover Birthed all 3 of them out differing holes sides!
We're supposed to hit 32-34 by Tuesday but I SERIOUSLY doubt it will take that long… Oh, found frozen scratch bowl, was mixed with bread, hot water, quite a ways from back porch. Weird since cat food bowl wasn't touched. Maybe i let Chevy out, don't remember? Coons eat both meat and grain but didn't lose anyone….

I know you more northerly folks probably think twenty to thirty degrees is a balmy spring day. But this is Texas, and it shouldn't be this cold this early dang it! Especially since I was working outside in tshirt and shorts just a few days ago...

 

[katatonic123]

We are having a cold snap as well. Was in the 70s on Friday and the high today was mid-20s with teen wind chills. Possible forecast of snow this coming weekend then I bet we'll be back to 60s the next week. The 4-state weather is definitely bi-polar.

 

[K Epp]

Oh yeah crazy weather of the south. Here in Georgia it was close to 70 the first of the week. Its supposed to get down in the teens this weekend back up in the 60's next week.