My chickens don't like snow!

[cackilacky]

It snowed here, which is a rare and exciting event. My chickens have never seen it before. When I opened the hen house door this morning, they took one look at the snowy run and went back inside! They didn't emerge all day. I am a little concerned because, as far as I can tell, they didn't eat or drink all day. Will they be alright? Should I do something tomorrow to encourage them to come out into the run? Thanks for any advice from folks in more wintery places!

 

[rrhall]

There is snow on the ground here and it has been very cold,we will open the coop up if it is not really cold and windy.It can make it really drafty in the coop if the wind hits the side with the door.My Buckeye's are the only ones that seem not to mind the cold,they will go out if the door is open,I feel bad because there is not much they can find to eat,so I will throw some black sun flower seeds down for them to scratch at.They seem to really like them,and they show up good on the snow.I will not force any of them to go out,the option is theirs and they seem less on edge.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

You really need to get them some feed and water inside the coop. I would be more concerned about the water than the feed due to dehydration. Also keep in mind that they need nutrition to stay warm. I encouraged/guided mine out of the coop this morning into the snow and cold. They weren't having no part of it. So I put some feed and lukewarm water into the coop and let them back in. They immediately ate and drank. Some days I have to break the rules and feed them in the coop. I keep their feed and water in the run due to feed/water spillage and clutter. They usually go out first thing when I open the pop door, however today it's just too nasty outside.

 

[Nostalchic]

Your posting implies that your feed/water is outside, and that's why they haven't eaten, etc? It may take some time for you chickens to get brave or bored or desperate enough to come into the snow, so you might want to provide the necessities inside for awhile. My flock would NOT set foot in that white stuff initially, so I cleaned the snow off the ramp and shoveled an area there down to bare dirt to entice them outside. You don't have to do the whole run, just a little area. Now (after months of snow that has NOT melted quickly the way it usually does here) they are quite happy to go out and scratch around in it. They seriously don't seem to mind the cold as much as the snow itself.

 

[Barred Rocker]

We got a foot of snow here too and mine won't venture out in the snow either, even if I shovel it out for them. I've already got the feeders inside the coops but I had to move the water inside too and had to break the ice and take them warm water 3 times today.

 

[gritsar]

I guess it's cuz my birds are older, this is their second winter, but they don't pay any attention to the snow. It snowed overnight and they came out of the coop this morning, looked at it with interest for a few secs, and then went about their chicken business.

 

[NancyinAlaska]

Send'em up here, I'll train'em

It was funny, when we 1st got snow this year, back in Nov??? can't remember, last year it was Sept.,..

........my new hens all stayed inside and seemed to be afraid of the snow. Now they are used to it, didn't take long!

 

[gkeesling]

i'm in East Central Indiana and thought my chickens would get used to the snow fairly quickly but they don't seem to want any part of it. So, I just shovel the run and then they will come out. Otherwise they will just stay in the coop and I'm not going to put food and water in their or they'd never come out. It only takes me about 10 min. to clear the snow so I do it. It was funny to pick up a chicken and throw her into the snow and watch what she does. One wouldn't move and got up on one foot and just sort of looked around before finally, very gingerly, walking on the snow to get back to the dirt area. Another just flew over the snow to get back to the dirt. But, none seems like they want to walk in the stuff.

 

[Gunnygranny]

We live where there is snow from Oct to March -- and our girls don't like it. Some will fly over patches and other will walk quickly through it --but they quickly go back to the coop -- I keep telling them spring will be here soon and the ground dry/warm.

 

[CityChook]

NancyinAlaska - that's a great photo!

We have snow from Oct/Nov until April. My girls hate it. But after awhile, they hate being locked in as well. As long as it's 10F+, I open their pop door. Their run is covered, but snow still blows in. It can get quite deep when it's windy. I try to keep it shoveled. This winter they have been better at coming out and scratching up the top layer of sand in their run. I'm sure the change of scenery and fresh air are welcomed, even if the snow/cold is not.

Remember that it takes calories to keep warm, so if your birds are not eating then you should move the food and water inside until this weather passes. Seriously, I can't believe the quantities that my girls eat when it's cold...