Lots of snow!

[sheila3935]

so far we havent had anything but flurries but I have my run covered with tarp and 6 mil thick plastic so I am prepared for when the snow hits.

 

[sianara]

I always "wrap" the runs with plastic sheeting. It gives them a non snowy area to walk in and occasionally on warmer days I let them out into the BIG snowy yard. Of course, we haven't had snow yet and I still haven't wrapped the runs. I will be doing that chore tomorrow

 

[PepsNick]

I am jealous! A centimeter at the most in Atlanta!

 

[SandyK]

Don't let them be without water. Beautiful picture!!

 

[shopchicks]

Quote:
I'm up on the other side in Southwest, just outside city limits... The snow is definitely deflating a bit today. I'm glad I shoveled a path to the run today, takes a bit of elbow grease to get it done, but the run won't be too mucky once this all melts, either.

Next time we get a big dump of snow like this, I'll just shovel right away, and force them all outside whether they like it or not...

 

[proud mama m&L]

this is my first year having chickens and the ladies love being outside. I have heard mixed stories about letting them out in the winter and i am not sure what i should do. From the sounds of it you all have good luck with letting them outside when there is snow. I live in Ohio so the weather is all over the place. Is there a certain temperature that i should not let them out in? And if i did what 2 people said they do which is cover the run with a tarp do you poke holes in it for air circulation? Please help. Thanks

 

[WYchicks]

First year with our hens too... I went through the typical winter anxiety when temps dropped & snow blew in. Our run is covered, but we've had some wind & it's blown snow into the run - of which the ladies are none too happy & REFUSE to go out in the snow! It's probably more work than necessary, but I've found what really helps is on nicer days (such as our weather yesterday - we had snow on the ground but it was in the mid-30's with sun & no wind) to clear some areas on the ground & physically pick up the ladies & put them on the cleared ground. At first they look at us in shock, like "oh no you didn't!"

then they realize they're standing on grass or dirt & immediately begin scratching. I'm glad we did that b/c I also desperately needed to get in the coop with some DE & more shavings to touch things up a bit. We also cleared some spots in their run or threw shavings or leaves on top of the packed snow & when they went back into the run, they actually stayed outside the coop scratching at the leaves & shavings. From what I'm understanding, the ladies don't want to go outside if there's any sign of winter, but by helping them a bit, they see it's actually not so bad.

During nice weather, they willingly come & go from their coop (they have 24/7 access to their run) - so we were in for a bit of shock when the temps dropped & suddenly they STOPPED leaving the coop. Maybe next winter will be a bit easier on us all - I'm hoping they "learn" that winter isn't always bad - or maybe we'll have to always hold their "hands" & make them get outside on the nicer winter days.

Concerning the hens getting to water...I've had to make some very rough adjustments in our small-ish coop & now keep a small waterer & feeder in the coop b/c they may NOT leave the coop but they still need food & water. If you can do so, at least give them a small waterer in the coop. (I'm already making plans for a bigger coop next summer that will not only give them more room when they're "cooped" up

but will also leave room for a big waterer & feeder.)

 

[ranchhand]

Wow, what a pretty pic! We got all of 4" of snow last year, first time in about 20 years.

My chickens would NOT come out at first, they had no idea they even could. Did ya'll see this thread?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=424767 I was floored!

 

[swimmer]

We have about 30 inches on the ground right now. It's going to be a while before they free range again.