snow

[Keene's coop]

is it normal for chickens NOT to go into the snow? it's there first winter and they will not leave to coop. even if i put their favorite treats in the snow. they just won't do it. and i know it's not because the coop is warmer, it's not heated.

 

[nuchickontheblock]

This is our first year with chickens also -- ours hate to get their feet cold I guess. Even when the snow is shoveled in the run and I pack it down with my boots they don't want to walk on it. They stand by the door and bawk at me. From what I've read on different winter-related threads here this is fairly common. I have started to put some pine shavings down in the part of the run that I've shoveled and they'll go out onto that. I've read that others do this with hay also.

It's going to be a longggggg winter if it keeps snowing every couple of days.

 

[rcentner]

I have a few that go out almost all winter and some that wont leave the coop. Even today with temp in the teens there are a few outside.

 

[cabincrazyone]

I think if after you shovel you were to put something down for them, like an old board, a few patio blocks, some hay, shavings ... so they can walk on that, it'll encourage them and soon they'll be trying the snow to get to a little morsel ....

 

[kyeschicks]

very normal

mine were scared to death of snow xD

 

[snowflake]

Mine hate the snow to, their second year and if I put hay on the ground they will jump out and run under the coop were there is dirt. if I through seed in the hay they will go in the hey but the snow gets walked in if they have to.

 

[Ohhhdear]

I have a couple hens who don't mind hopping out of their coop (which is fairly small) in the morning and dashing on the beaten paths in the snow to the sheltered area under my 2nd story deck where their water is (only place for electricity for the heater).
I suppose it helps that I give them a hot mash every morning and they're eager to see what treats I've added to their normal feed.
The rest mosey on out with two or three laggers who detest the feeling of snow on their feet. They're the funny ones! They walk like ostriches, each foot delicately placed in the snow and the other held up into her body as long as possible. By the time they get to the non-snowy hay covered ground under the deck, most of the goodies are already gobbled.

 

[kannna]

Mine will fly yes fly across the yard to the leafy areas under bushes to avoid the snow.

 

[Staceyfeindt]

I agree..totally normal for them to not like the snow! Good idea on putting down boards and such for them to walk on!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Maybe some little galoshes for their feet that snow is cold...