So last week it was as high as 70 and night temps were in the 40's. They free range but live in a tractor with a small attached run.
My girls are 25 weeks old. They have been outside in their tractor/small coop for months so they are fully feathered out.
My coop is small and not insulated. There is adequate ventilation, with the potential for more.
I am using the DLM with DE.
Last week I roofed their 12 foot run and put 6ml plastic around the bottom of the run and the coop. It is as wind proof as I can make it.
Today we got over five inches of snow. They roamed a SMALL amount around the yard. They spent most of the day huddled in the run. I have made sure they have fresh water, they got oatmeal and yogurt this AM but it wasn't eaten much, I gave them some scratch and they have free feed layer pellets.
They free range and are so spoiled that they don't eat many scraps. They prefer what they find in the yard and the cheese we feed them every day at 4:30 (and they CAN tell time!). They can't really free range right now with everything covered with snow.
I am currently babysitting my grandson and I can go and check on them when I get home. Is there any way to tell how well they are dealing with the cold temps? They have not had to experience anything like this and I am just concerned.
It's 18 degrees right now and the cold front hasn't arrived yet.
Any advice on how to tell how well they are dealing? What should I do if they are not dealing well? Should I bring them in and lock them in the bathroom?
Thanks so much.
My girls are 25 weeks old. They have been outside in their tractor/small coop for months so they are fully feathered out.
My coop is small and not insulated. There is adequate ventilation, with the potential for more.
I am using the DLM with DE.
Last week I roofed their 12 foot run and put 6ml plastic around the bottom of the run and the coop. It is as wind proof as I can make it.
Today we got over five inches of snow. They roamed a SMALL amount around the yard. They spent most of the day huddled in the run. I have made sure they have fresh water, they got oatmeal and yogurt this AM but it wasn't eaten much, I gave them some scratch and they have free feed layer pellets.
They free range and are so spoiled that they don't eat many scraps. They prefer what they find in the yard and the cheese we feed them every day at 4:30 (and they CAN tell time!). They can't really free range right now with everything covered with snow.
I am currently babysitting my grandson and I can go and check on them when I get home. Is there any way to tell how well they are dealing with the cold temps? They have not had to experience anything like this and I am just concerned.
It's 18 degrees right now and the cold front hasn't arrived yet.

Any advice on how to tell how well they are dealing? What should I do if they are not dealing well? Should I bring them in and lock them in the bathroom?
Thanks so much.