Snow/cold/rain with my chickens?

[annaraven]

So I let the girls out for a while today. Came back out a while later and Buffy looked like a drowned rat! I hustled them all back into the coop. I hope she'll be okay... She's my layer!

 

[annaraven]

I just checked on Buffy and she is STILL wet. I put her in a cage and brought her in for the night. I don't want her to get sick.
She felt so cold and wet. Poor girl.

 

[BBK]

We just winterized our coops. we put burlap around the perimeter and plywood on the northside for the northern winds... Our big girls are NOT covered but our silkies/polish coop is partial covered.

Last year we did the burlap and I shoveled a little in their run, we only have the big girls. they went out every day, that's where the food/water is. We also have heaters for their water dish. They didn't seem to mind it, they stay out most of the time. Never used a heating lamp.
did the deep litter method too. i think that help A LOT in the coop.
Melinda

 

[annie3001]

my girls always have choices, i leave their run door open, if they want to venture out they do, if not etc.
when theres deep snow, i shovel a path for them, they like that.

when it rains hard tho, i always seem to find the chickens on my back porch, (under cover) .

 

[LynneP]

Another thing to consider is whether to roof a section near your pop door, if roofing an entire run is impractical. Wouldn't cost much, and the birds will shelter there- and if you can shelter them with something clear, they benefit from whatever part of the light spectrum gets through. In snow areas it has to be sturdy!

 

[Katy]

Quote:
If an adult bird looks like a drowned rat I would seriously look for something else going on with her. A healthy adult bird shouldn't look like a drowned rat....they should have enough natural oils on their feathers that they can shed water rather well.

 

[annaraven]

I think she got into a puddle or something. I mean, this is a chicken not a duck. Anyways - she seemed fine this morning. Today, they're staying in the run, not going out freeranging...

 

[abhaya]

I would let them choose

 

[swimmer]

This was our morning today, more in the way. I opened the coop door, one flew out and had to be helped out of the snow. We did shovel them an area, but no interest. But still give them a choice.

 

[Tnate]

So I have some crazy girls. It is high 30's, windy and cold rain and sleet....they are outside. They look like drowned rats! My concern is that they will be chilled to the bone tonight when temps drop below freezing.
I have a 100 watt reptile heat bulb set up...should I put it on even tho the temps don't really warrant it..i don't put it on unless it is low 20's/teens.