Shivering chickens?

[chickens really]

It is -2 Celsius but -7 with the windchill today.....My Chickens and Ducks are outside free ranging....Just gave them a few raisins as a treat.....All running around as if its summer.....lol


Cheers!

 

[Mrs. K]

I have seen mine shiver, just like you describe.

What I do is give them options and let them decide. My grandfather talking about cattle, once told me, that they know more about being a cow, than I ever will... I apply that to chickens too. As long as they are not trapped outside out of protection, they know what they need. I do have some protected areas set up in the run, but not the whole run. So birds can move in and out of protection. Plus they can go into the coop, whenever they want.

As long as a chicken is alert, moving well, pecking and a scratching, digging or lounging, and bright eyed, don't worry, they are fine. If they are lethargic, grey colored, sunken eyed, not walking well, or only a little ways before stopping, wheezing or coughing, well, then they are sick, and in my opinion should be culled.

Mrs K

 

[Englishable]

Mrs. K - Thank you so much! This is our first winter with chickens so I'm sure I'm just being overly concerned They have the option of being in the run, which right now is still open, the coop or outside. They mostly stay outside. I figured if they were that cold, they'd go inside, so thank you for confirming!

 

[aimeeA]

This is my drake runner. He has 3 big fat hens he guards and protects. He is really a very good little husband. The hens are a Pekin, and 2 blue Swedish. They don't seem to mind the cold at all. My poor drake gets cold and shivers. He will go in the coop (sometimes to warm up) but it drives him CRAZY to not be within eye sight of the hens. They won't go in the coop during the day, they free range then I walk them to bed at night and lock them in. Does anyone use a ducky coat or sweater?

 

[Mrs. K]

If your birds are active, moving well and curious, eating well and laying... they are doing quite well. I have seen my shiver occasionally, but they are fine.

Mrs K

 

[aimeeA]

Thank you for your input!

 

[mapurcel]

I’m wondering if chickens don’t shiver... maybe it’s something neurological or there is a disease? I have shivering chickens too and it isn’t that cold. Been shivering for well over a week and are just a smidgin lethargic.

 

[K0k0shka]

The only chicken I've ever seen shiver is a tiny Serama a friend of mine has - he's the size of a pigeon and truly cannot maintain his body heat in the winter. He shakes like a leaf. He wears a sweater and spends a lot of time curled up in a blanket (he's an indoor chicken because he cannot withstand winter weather outside). So, chickens do shiver, but it would need to be a pretty extreme case like that one... Orpingtons should be fine in winter weather - they are large birds with enough body heat and lots of fluffy feathers to keep them insulated. From your description, it sounds like just the foot that's lifted shivers, not the whole bird. Is that the case? Birds do stand on one foot occasionally to give the other one a break or to warm it up if they're on a cold surface. Maybe that's what you're seeing. As long as they don't get lethargic, they should be fine.