Unreachable hen in below 0 temps

[cjpeeps]

I’ve got a broody Orpington in a spot in the run I can’t reach, and who won’t budge, even though it’s been below freezing. We’ve got wind chill coming tonight putting temps -10–20 degrees. I’ve tried blocking off the run a bit so she’s protected, and I’ve noticed she has a Cochin friend now keeping her company, but I’m very concerned with the weather tonight they’ll both freeze to death. I could bust open the run and just pull them out and staple it back together until the weather gets warmer...? Would like to know if it’s come to that or not before I go trudging about in the dark with a hammer and a staple gun.

 

[BullChick]

Leave them be. Chickens can withstand a lot harsher weather than we give them credit for.
And, if you don’t know, the babies will be fine too when they hatch. Momma will have them playing in the snow within a few days. Don’t worry, she’s got it!

 

[cjpeeps]

Leave them be. Chickens can withstand a lot harsher weather than we give them credit for.
And, if you don’t know, the babies will be fine too when they hatch. Momma will have them playing in the snow within a few days. Don’t worry, she’s got it!

Ah alas no rooster - the stinker is sitting on empty eggs!

 

[staceyj]

How far under is she?
if I had the supplies I’d try a long handled fish net...

Or a broom handle with a wire coat-hanger bent into a chicken leg snatcher...

 

[sourland]

Ah alas no rooster - the stinker is sitting on empty eggs!

If that is the case, I would remove her and her buddy with as minimal damage as is possible.

 

[cjpeeps]

How far under is she?
if I had the supplies I’d try a long handled fish net...

Or a broom handle with a wire coat-hanger bent into a chicken leg snatcher...

She’s under the coop in the far corner, well out of reach. If she moved I might be able to grab her but she will.not.budge.

 

[cjpeeps]

If that is the case, I would remove her and her buddy with as minimal damage as is possible.

Thanks, it’s looking that way.

 

[Broody Bist]

The only thing that would stop me from moving her is the fear that it would break her broodiness. If there aren’t any developing chicks under there to worry about, I’d go ahead and move her.

My bantam cochin Camilla died last year trying to sit through the winter, even though we had her protected from wind and with plenty of food and water. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

[cjpeeps]

The only thing that would stop me from moving her is the fear that it would break her broodiness. If there aren’t any developing chicks under there to worry about, I’d go ahead and move her.

My bantam cochin Camilla died last year trying to sit through the winter, even though we had her protected from wind and with plenty of food and water. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

I got her but couldn’t grab her friend - who to be fair is bigger and better feathered than she is. But still.

The broody one looks really dehydrated. She didn’t stop drinking for a full 15 minutes after I got her.

 

[staceyj]

Spray can of keyboard cleaner, air horn, 6 extension cords and a vacuum cleaner, yardstick for poking...put on gloves and crawl...

Just trying to come up with an idea...