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DobieLover said:
Are the runs covered with a solid roof? If so, they can be winterized so the birds continue to use them during the winter. It is very good for them to continue to go outside year round.
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The runs are not enclosed. Just a fenced in area around the coop. I didn't really pay attention to what she did last winter with them since I wasn't responsible for them. I plan to make sure I shovel out space in the runs during the winter snows. I do close them in the coop in the evenings when it is colder. Wisconsin can be ridiculously cold in the winters...is there a temperature that is too cold for them to go out in? So far this week it is only supposed to be highs in the upper 30s-mid 40s. But it's typically below freezing a lot during winter.
 
Groovy Girl Creations said:
The runs are not enclosed. Just a fenced in area around the coop. I didn't really pay attention to what she did last winter with them since I wasn't responsible for them. I plan to make sure I shovel out space in the runs during the winter snows. I do close them in the coop in the evenings when it is colder. Wisconsin can be ridiculously cold in the winters...is there a temperature that is too cold for them to go out in? So far this week it is only supposed to be highs in the upper 30s-mid 40s. But it's typically below freezing a lot during winter.
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I will remember that, as I sit by the pool with an iced tea this winter. :cool: California can be brutal!;)
 
Groovy Girl Creations said:
Hey everyone.

I am relatively new to having chickens. I live on a small family farm (we don't actually do the farming, just live in the little house/rental property the farm owners have) in Southern Wisconsin. The lady who owns the farm has recently had some health issues and is no longer able to take care of them so I volunteered to help out for the last few months. Well apparently that has turned into me taking over all aspects of the chickens with the exception of the farm provides the food, coops/attached yards, and vet care if needed. However, all aspects of the daily care-feeding, watering, egg collecting, enrichment are left up to me.

The flock is currently about 30 hens and 4 roosters. I am unsure of breed(s) with the exception of 1 mischievous leghorn. There are about a dozen or so large white birds with red combs, and the rest are dark colored with an almost blueish-green sheen. There are 2 big red roosters, 1 dark colored rooster, and 1 that is yellow and dark (very pretty). I love watching them and finding new things to keep them entertained.

I'm interested in learning different ways to keep them from getting bored, treats that are good for them, and ways to improve their coop/yard (within the confines of what I am allowed to do-meaning no major renovations) especially during the harsh Wisconsin winters. They are normally separated into two different coops/yards but for the winter they are all housed together in the main coop. I am loving getting to know the birds (even the one grumpy red rooster that likes to peck my boots) and collecting and sharing the 12-18 eggs I get daily.

In addition to the chicken collection the farm has a lot of dairy cows and barn cats and my husband and I personally have 2 pugs, 2 cats that were dumped on the farm who were clearly pets at one point and not a fan of becoming barn cats and an antisocial hedgehog.
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Welcome! Glad you decided to join us!
 
Groovy Girl Creations said:
The runs are not enclosed. Just a fenced in area around the coop. I didn't really pay attention to what she did last winter with them since I wasn't responsible for them. I plan to make sure I shovel out space in the runs during the winter snows. I do close them in the coop in the evenings when it is colder. Wisconsin can be ridiculously cold in the winters...is there a temperature that is too cold for them to go out in? So far this week it is only supposed to be highs in the upper 30s-mid 40s. But it's typically below freezing a lot during winter.
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My flock goes out in single digit weather all the time. They do spend more time in the coop during very cold weather though.
 
My grumpy Hedgepotomus.
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