Preparing for snow

[crystalsc]

Hello. We’re expecting snow this weekend in NW South Carolina. It might be about 5 inches and the temps will get down to 29F.
I have 3 barred rock hens in a nice enclosed shed coop and they have access to a covered run during the day. This is the first time we’re having snow since I had my chickens. Is there anything in particular I should do to prepare for the storm?

 

[Zobot0110]

I give mine straw in their coop

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Ensure there is no drafts and that everything is closed up tightly. Do you have a covered run with netting? The temps are below freezing so you might be good, but if the net is wet or that snow decides to be heavy and stick to that netting in any way, it could risk ruining your whole run (depending on your setup).

Thing to note: chickens don't like snow, but they do enjoy eating it. After the storm, they're not going to be in any hurry to go outside, so ensure their coop is prepared to be keeping them in for a few days.

 

[AGeese]

29F sounds like a heat wave! My water doesn't even freeze when it's just under 30F 2 or 3 degrees. I use straw, but if you think it's going to get your run wet I would put some in the run too.

No drafts and ventilation is pretty much the same rule year around.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Ensure there is no drafts and that everything is closed up tightly.

While it's true you don't want drafts, you certainly don't want to close up the coop tightly. Ventilation is just as important in the cold as it is in warm weather.

29F sounds like a heat wave! My water doesn't even freeze when it's just under 30F 2 or 3 degrees. I use straw, but if you think it's going to get your run wet I would put some in the run too.

No drafts and ventilation is pretty much the same rule year around.

Exactly! 29F is nothing! I honestly don't think straw is worth the mold and mite risk in such mild weather.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

While it's true you don't want drafts, you certainly don't want to close up the coop tightly. Ventilation is just as important in the cold as it is in warm weather.

Whoops, I should have been more specific. I was thinking windows and things like that.

 

[AGeese]

While it's true you don't want drafts, you certainly don't want to close up the coop tightly. Ventilation is just as important in the cold as it is in warm weather.


Exactly! 29F is nothing! I honestly don't think straw is worth the mold and mite risk in such mild weather.

Yeah there's always that risk. I've been pretty lucky with my source. They recently had a mouse investation and relocated their bales, still no issues. It's just so much more economical and they love sorting through it. Hell I probably have more mice.

 

[crystalsc]

Thank you all. The ladies have a wood framed covered run with hardware cloth with sand floor. The coop interior has hemp bedding.
29 is pretty cold here but we are still in SC.

 

[RubelliteRose]

Beautiful coop! They will hate the snow and probably refuse to leave the coop for the first day, but they will get over it.... until the next time it snows About half of mine have never seen snow, but we might get some on Friday too.
The main thing is to make sure you have enough ventilation so moisture does not build up in the coop. Wet snow can block your ventilation, so check and clear it if necessary. Also if you are using the same elevated waterer as the picture, check it to make sure it doesn't start to freeze. We use rubber feed pans for water in the winter so I don't have to worry about cracking them when I break up the ice.

29F sounds like a heat wave!

Exactly! 29F is nothing!

This is true, but poor southern chickens don't get a chance to get used to the cold. Our temp was over 70 just over a week ago and now temps are in the 20s and 30s. On the other hand, my flock thinks our summer of 110-115 heat index days is lovely(except my rooster, he hates the heat)