Need Extreme Cold Weather Reassurance...and some Frostbite advice

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Mine are, I think, thankful that the worst is over. I know I am. I think the extreme cold did take its toll on them though. They are not as anxious to get outside into the run today, even though it is now up to 2 degrees. They all came out this morning for the warm mash I brought them, and gobbled that up with gusto. Then two went back into the coop to hang out on their roost. The other two stayed out in the run, but go inside to check on the other two from time to time.

I'm not too concerned, since they normally spend their mornings preening, and roosting on the run roost when the weather is nicer. I think they got more comfortable with being inside the past few days, and are just taking advantage of it.

Temperatures are climbing throughout the day today, and will be in the upper 30s tomorrow. They should be loving that.

 

[vantain]

Ha Ha...so now that the temps have reached 12F, the one that spent the most time in the coop over the past few brutal days, is now enjoying a wonderful dust bath out in the run, surrounded by her consorts....she is the top bird after all!

 

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Enjoying the dust bath....

 

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Interestingly, while I was out checking for eggs, I noticed the one normally at the bottom of the pecking order (Gwyneth), try to overthrow the top girl (Daisy) today. I guess maybe she thought Daisy was showing weakness by hanging out in the coop all day. And I do think the cold was affecting her more than the others. In any case, they had a bit of scuffle, and Daisy flared her neck feathers and pounced on her. There will be no advancement for Gwyneth today.....