Our chickens won't leave the coop since it snowed

[Koitoy]

I have never seen chickens plow thru snow. I had a flock of free range chickens for the past 20 years and they never did that. I think that is amazing. Thankyou for sharing your pics!!

 

[Beekissed]

These WRs are pretty amazing, that's for sure. Seem built for winter living, with a low fuel consumption that maintains lots of muscle and fat, under a very thick layer of the finest feathering you've ever felt on a chicken...it's like silk and must provide the same warmth of silk too, they don't seem to mind the snow at all.

 

[ShanandGem]

I have the same setup as @Beekissed , coops without runs, and I found that after a few days of me packing down trails in the snow on my feeding/watering rounds the chickens will come out and use those. They head straight to the carport where there is no snow though.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My chickens aren't going outside this year yet like they normally have in past years. The weather has been very erratic and the birds are still adjusting to suddenly being buried in snow, as well as the colder temperatures.

I shovel and put down hay for my birds to stand on, mine won't normally walk on snow, and I will shag them out on nice days. I always give them the option but most days don't worry about whether they go out or not.

 

[Folly's place]

My birds don't want to wade in the snow either, and have been inside since the 12" we got last week. If I got energetic and shoveled some more paths, they'd be out there. Maybe today? Mary

 

[centrarchid]

To encourage birds going out and about with snow and cold, I put out elevated cover patches of hay / straw bales or wooden pallets. Sprinkle some grain on it. They will be more inclined to make short travels over snow to such when they would otherwise simply stay in cover of coop or barn. This is the time of year my birds that can fly really get into it. Videos below got some age but relevant. Hen (Sallie) now over seven years old can still do it.


[VIDEO]

Near end of video.


[VIDEO]

Two birds flying near end of video.

 

[azygous]

My flock of twenty-four hate the snow, refuse to walk on it, and will only come outside if I shovel paths all over the place so their feet won't have to come into contact with the nasty white stuff. And on top of that, if it's windy and cold, and not sunny, no way will they budge.

They really have no compelling reason to go outside, though. They have a very roomy covered run that lets lots of sunlight in, with winter panels all around to create a balmy indoor environment.

I've come up with the theory that chickens dislike snow so much because they feel exposed against its relentless whiteness, easy pickings for hawks soaring overhead looking for prey that has lost camouflage abilities due to the snow covering. Putting straw out on top of the snow would cut down on exposure and make them feel less vulnerable, as well as make it easier to walk on the snow.

 

[FlyWheel]

Did I hear "Sally" crow after she landed? Or was that Edwardo?

 

[centrarchid]

It takes about 2 days for mine to suck it up and get out on snow. Generally they do not just stand on it, rather they have protected destinations.

 

[centrarchid]

Did I hear "Sally" crow after she landed? Or was that Edwardo?

Neither, at time I had about 20 roosters in pens and one American Dominique in coop like structure Sallie landed on.