Lock them in or leave it open

[GatsbysGirl]

We are supposed to be getting a decent snow storm here later this afternoon. My flock will most likely hunker down in the coop regardless of what I do but I'm wondering if I should lock them up in there for the day/night while the storm goes through or just leave them to their own devises. They are not free range unless I let them out so they can't go any farther than their 20X10 run, but I wasn't sure if they would be better off locked up.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

If they are in a run I would let them be free for now. Unless you have a real doorknob of a bird everyone should get themselves in before the storm gets bad.

 

[redsoxs]

The storm you are talking about roared through Kansas last night. My birds were locked up tight. It was bright and sunny today but the wind howled all day - ended up feeding & watering them in the coop - they wouldn't leave the coop! This was their first snow and I think they were totally intimidated!

 

[eenie114]

That storm passed us today- mine stayed in their coop without having to be locked up. I doubt they'll WANT out, with that kind of nasty weather.

 

[Kirklandchick]

We put wood-framed plastic panels up on our run (run is enclosed under a roof w/coop) and ours stayed out all day, but they were protected from the wind except for where the door to the run is. We are in northern IL. Seems like we've gotten more rain than snow & it's still kind of a mix. Not as bad as predicted, but the winds are definitely brutal and our power flickers every once in awhile. Hope it stays on!

 

[lahowardjr]

The storm came through yesterday with only some rain and very heavy wind lasting thru dusk tonight. I had to chase down several items in my yard that wasn't tied down. I've kept my coop door open to the run for them to get out and about before daylight and to be active. The forecast is 26 here in SE Oklahoma so I think some activity will get their blood a flowing. This way hens can stay in out of the wind if they are inclined to or move back and forth to the coop.

 

[GatsbysGirl]

Well I left the coop door open until I got home and then closed it because the snow was blowing sideways! I opened it this morning and they peaked out the door and said "No thank you". At lunch time I went home and fed them their lunch treats (whatever leftovers in the fridge). They were all on the ramp looking at me, then the food, then me. Reba my bravest chicken (even more so than the roos) Walked to the bottom of the ramp and looked at me. I picked her up, brought her over to the food and she started scarfing. Well everyone else followed suit. This was my flocks first snow. They were happily eating and drinking when I came back to work.

That was a heck of a storm! Snowing sideways 35mph. This was my pups first snow too and she was a riot. The power went on and off all night and the howling of the wind was amazing.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Getting what ya'll got yesterday, and I give my flock a choice leave the pop doors open, some came out others stayed in, there is no water inside because of my ducks/geese so they have to come out to drink. Tomorrow is suppose to be warmer but still windy i suspect they will all be out tomorrow.

Those winds have been something else