Rooster with hen durring winter?

[megan13]

Mine have never wanted to go outside if there was snow on the ground. They avoid it like the plague, but I've got new breeds that are supposed to be cold hardy so I'll have to see. Do you guys do anything to prevent frostbite? Or just leave it alone? Because I've heard all kinds of conflicting information on that. My roo has a pretty big pea comb.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine will not walk out into snow either, I shovel the run then put hay down, then mine come out.

 

[aart]

Mine will not walk out into snow either, I shovel the run then put hay down, then mine come out.

Yup, most of mine too...I use a bit of straw.

There's a couple who will walk on it if it's no more than 1/8" deep......and none of them like it if it's icy at all.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Glad I'm not the only kook shoveling snow for chickens

 

[aart]

Glad I'm not the only kook shoveling snow for chickens

Hey!!
Well, yes, ok, I am a bit of a kook. ;-)

The shoveling is more for access to run door and outside of pop door...... and length of run in case of snow load problems.
Learned that the hard way, wading thru 18" of snow to keep mesh roof from totally collapsing, now I keep a path shoveled.
.....and they really do need to get outside when weather is cooperating.....and keeps me in shape over the winter.

 

[Kimfromcanada]

We get winter temps in the -30 range. I don't think I can let them out when it's like that? Even with the average -15 to -20 I'd be scared.

 

[Mrs. K]

My Broody hen raised chicks in -20 degrees, without heat, and taking them outside of the coop.

Always give the chickens the choice, they know more about it than you or I do, I do have an open outdoor shelter against the prevailing wind, and mine come out every day. Open the chicken door and let them choose, fresh air is important for chickens. Don't kill them with kindness. If they stay in, that is fine, maybe later in the day they would want out, give them the option.

People worry about the cold, and should not, unless their birds are not getting enough food. Feed them well, give them a windbreak, and let them make the call.

In the winter, I cover my run with old hay. If I hear of a storm coming, I will quickly pile it up. Then after the snow, I flip the hay on top of the snow. Sometimes chickens are scared of snow! haha

Mrs K

 

[Kimfromcanada]

Thanks for the information. We still aren't finished our coop but we are going to insate it and were planning on heating it. Do you think we shouldn't? I will leave their door open and see what we can do about protecting their run. Maybe some large tarps wrapped around it.

 

[Kimfromcanada]

That should say insulate. Sorry

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks for the information. We still aren't finished our coop but we are going to insate it and were planning on heating it. Do you think we shouldn't? I will leave their door open and see what we can do about protecting their run. Maybe some large tarps wrapped around it.

please don't heat your coop, your chickens are already walking around in a down filled jacket, they a perfectly capable of heating themselves. What you can do is give them windbreaks, appropriate sized roosts so they cover their feet at night, good ventilation to prevent condensation which causes frostbite, warm water a few times a day and and access to sunlight and good quality food, and things to do like picking through hay or food scraps.

Insulating the coop with help cut down on drafts. Heating the coop will not allow your chickens to acclimate to the weather, which will make them more prone to chilling and illness, and if you lose power your chickens could be in trouble, not to mention the risk of fire depending on what is used to heat the coop. I am here in Wisconsin, we have Canadian winters here, my bird are in a tin pole shed, not insulated, door to the east always open, my chickens do fine, there are a few cold morning, I give them oatmeal, or warm mash, that takes care of my guilt about going back into a warm house and leaving them out there. That's really why most people want to heat their coops anyways.