Official BYC Poll: Do you allow your chickens outside in the snow, or keep them indoors?

[ShesSoPecky]

I coax them out with warmed barley & molasses. They do not like snow.
Right now they're snuggled together with a stuffie in a bedding-filled nest box.

 

[ChikaInu]

I don't care how deep the snow is and here in Scotland where the weather is sort of "meh" all year round I would never shut the birds inside - back home in the north of Sweden we kept them in the henhouse during the coldest months though.
Maybe not so much for their sake but to stop the shed, water and everything freezing to bits by keeping the door open.

 

[BackyardinWales]

My girls have a covered run so if it snows in they'll chase it and eat it, otherwise they don't seem fussed. And to be honest, being near the coastline I don't get a lot of snow here.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Ours come out once the paths are made.

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A little explanation of before, during, and after is in my silkies thread if you want to see more.

I usually keep them in their coop and run all winter, unless the temp outside is maybe in the 40s or 50s and the snow is less than an inch and can shovel paths just like @Debbie292d did!! It's so cute to watch when I let them out after shoveling paths for them in the snow, they use them like little roadways or sidewalks lol!

 

[Noraaaaa]

They have an automatic door. My birds are pretty spoiled so when there is over 2 inches of snow they don't go outside... Usually, they just stay in the coop. After a day of two of the snow staying or when its deep, I shovel for them. They still usually don't go outside

 

[Squawkers]

Ours come out once the paths are made.

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A little explanation of before, during, and after is in my silkies thread if you want to see more.

You’re silkies are so cute!!

 

[Squawkers]

The only weather related time I keep the chickens pet up is when it’s below freezing and wet or rainy. I always feel like it is bad for them to be wet and below freezing. Is that necessary?

 

[Ridgerunner]

The only weather related time I keep the chickens pet up is when it’s below freezing and wet or rainy. I always feel like it is bad for them to be wet and below freezing. Is that necessary?

I let them decide what they want to do. I have not lost any yet to anything like that. No frostbite either but frostbite is a possibility.

 

[Squawkers]

I let them decide what they want to do. I have not lost any yet to anything like that. No frostbite either but frostbite is a possibility.

Thanks!

 

[WaterfowlsPoultry]

my flock seems to like the snow. I'd open up the door and they'd stop, look at the snow. one will step out. and BOOM! all of them flood out of the coop.