Quick winterization question

[Geira]

So because the first snow we had put so much snow in the run and on their ladder, the chickens would not come out until I cleaned it up. This time I put some green frost plant protection cloth on the north and eastern sides of the upper run (southern side got blown off in the wind and the lower part of the run has polycarbonate panels). It did a fair job and the crew was happy when the magic door opened and were willing to go into the run and it's actually pretty cozy. However, there is still a little snow drift getting in, not much, but I wasn't sure what would be too much. If they get just a little on them, is this fine? You can see it on the rooster the best because he's all black. The under coop area is dry-polycarbonate all around that and the coop is the roof and they can get into the coop as well which is dry.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If they get just a little on them, is this fine?

A few years ago someone in Nova Scotia told a story on this forum about their chickens that roosted in trees. In the morning they would be covered in snow if it had snowed overnight. When those chickens flew down it would be like a snow storm with all of the snow coming off that was stacked on them. Not just a little snow, a lot.

The chicken's feathers insulate them. They protect that snow from melting by keeping the body heat near the body. I understand your concern but it will not hurt them at all.

 

[Geira]

Thank you. I didn’t think so, but as I’ve never kept chickens before I wasn’t sure. I appreciate the “ it’ll be okay” from people who have been doing this for a while. I want to keep them dry and draft free as much as possible. I know that they can take the cold, but not being wet.