shoveling run?

[cluckmecoop7]

Hi all,

I live in a place where it snows a lot in winter...of course. So I was wondering if I should shovel out the chicken run if it has more then 5 inch's of snow in it. Or can they just handle it?

Thanks,

Cluckmecoop7

 

[MillersFarm]

I'd shovel it. Chickens are pretty hardy birds but with 5 inches of snow they probably would prefer to stay inside rather than going outside.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thanks, yes, i'm going to shovel it!

 

[Biddybot]

It's funny that you're asking this because guess what I was doing about six hours ago during the early afternoon? Yup, shoveling snow out of the chicken runs so they'd go outside when I opened their popholes. My chickens hate walking in snow that's more than an INCH deep, let alone five inches. But they'll walk on it if it's stamped down hard or shovelled down to the gravel. Plus which I feed them scratch grain in their runs, so there's that to consider too.

Shovelling right down to the gravel also lets the sun get at any remaining patches and melt it right away--it melted quite a bit today, too! Then the chickens have actual bare ground to poke around on which makes them even happier. The only other option they like right now, given that most everything is temporarily snow-covered, is if I carry them to the front deck which I likewise shovelled down to the bare wood. There, they can run around on the decking, fly up on the railings, poke around in the mudroom--I leave the door to it open on such days. I tossed some of the bachelor roosters out on the deck today at the same time I opened the popholes for the flocks, just so they too could get some fresh air and sunshine while it was briefly warm enough for them to be outside. Judging from the whole lotta crowing and wing-flapping and friendly posturing going on, they enjoyed themselves!

 

[Mrs. K]

I bed the run in old hay along with my coop. If snow is coming and I know it, I will rake it up into mini haystacks, after the snow, I flip the haystacks on top of the snow, and my hens come right out.

I do have shelter in my run. Old shower doors on a box, gives a place to get out of the wind, and on a sunny day, it is much warmer under the glass. My birds really don't spend too much time inside the coop during the day time, unless it is really bad out.

Mrs K

 

[FnWeirdo]

i currently have a few feet of snow on my property and a huge run. i shovel a path to my gate around the gate to the coop. shovel outside the chicken and human doors then shovel that to a off shoot path. when my snow blowers running i usually just do some random paths around the run. but when its not i do minimum XD

 

[Cindy in PA]

I normally shovel if I can or put straw on top for them to walk on. Didn't get to shovel from Tuesday, as it was snow then ice & rain & it is hard as crap. Yesterday they moved out slightly from their 3 foot clear area for scratch. Today I looked out & they are all over actually walking on the snow! Haven't seen any of my chickens do that too often.

 

[aart]

I shovel parts of the run, for my access (to keep roof clear, run door and outside of pop door accessible) and for them to have some walkin' around space. Also helps to keep drainage working for when the snow melt happens.
If it gets icy I spread some rough sand and/or a bit of straw and pine shavings.
Better to keep it clear than let a snow/ice pack form, but I have mobility issues so am a bit OCDC about it. Today was the first day in quite awhile I didn't walk out to coop pushing the snow shovel in front of me.

 

[Mrs. K]

AArt - is that a picture of your house next to the run, or is that your coop?

 

[aart]

AArt - is that a picture of your house next to the run, or is that your coop?

Nooooo, that's a large(16x16') shed, the coop is inside part of it.
See 'My Coop' page...link is under my avatar.
I like chickens, but wouldn't live in the same building with them