WARM WET BLIZZARD MOST DANGEROUS OF THEM ALL TO EXPOSED CHICKENS

[4 the Birds]

Yep, I didn't even open the pop door. Cold is fine for them, wet snow and frostbite are not.

If mine could not go out into the snow then they would be cooped up in the coop all winter long! Mine walk around in the snow and have never gotten frostbite on their feet or anywhere else for that matter. They also go out when it is raining and scratch around. I leave it up to their own instincts as to whether they go outside or inside.

 

[TheCrazyChick]

If mine could not go out into the snow then they would be cooped up in the coop all winter long! Mine walk around in the snow and have never gotten frostbite on their feet or anywhere else for that matter. They also go out when it is raining and scratch around. I leave it up to their own instincts as to whether they go outside or inside.

Yesterday was just a little different. The snow was very very wet and their coop felt quite damp in the air. It was a weird day. Mine don't free range, so they are not used to total snow, just what gathers in the edges of their run underneathe. I would hate for them to make it through this horrifically wet winter just to freeze their toes off in the spring! Was at a fellow BYC'er 2 weeks ago and 3 of his birds had a bad case of frostbite on their feet. Ouch.

 

[Moonkit]

You can't always trust a chicken's instinct in this sort of case.. but as far as that goes, I think it depends on the breed. I have one silkie who I swear would be doomed if not for me.. this one stood out in sleet when it was 20 degrees outside... not 2 FEET from the overhang created by the lifted side of an A frame coop (the side has corrogated plastic on it to provide shade during our scorching Texas summers). Everyone else was in the coop itself or under the overhang and perfectly dry.. but NOoooooo. Not Stormy, she was standing out in the middle of the net covered run, huddled and miserable as the other hens were looking at her.. "What on Earth are you doing?"

Since she's shown this sort of lack-of-survival-instinct before, we went out to check on them and found her, brought her in, and dried her with a hairdrier... I'm serious.. not the sharpest crayon in the box.

 

[roostersandhens]

Several pens in a row following a late wet snow. Snow depth was 8" although some drifts were pushing two feet. Most birds remained on roost all day except when I went out to give them some shell corn and sunflower seeds. Photograph was taken after peak of snow fall so birds were starting to dry off. Temperatures were also dropping which is also good.

Electrified fencing about 8" to 10" above ground is barely visible most over most of its length. Fence will not be properly hot for a few days as a result so dogs will have to be on their toes.

We are currently experiencing a blizzard with at least 7" of wet snow on ground and wind speed pushing 30 mph. Temperature is right at freezing so when snow strikes the chicken's feathers it promptly melts. The high humidity and intense snow is rapidly wetting the feathers of exposed birds. Many of the birds are getting wet enough so they are losing insulation as typically provided by feathers covering the body. This coupled with wind chill is a real stressor. Birds that can are seeking out protection from wind but it is snow they need to avoid. Even wild birds and feral pigeons are having a tough go because already diminished forage (combined effects of drought last summer and later winter time most forage already gleened over) is now covered by snow. My birds are and wild birds are moving to areas blown free of snow by wind to look for food so I am putting out bird seed and intact corn in those locations so they can at least get enough energy into their systems. Some of the wild birds will not survive through tomorrow morning.


Lower temperatures would be easier for birds to survive.

I see from those pics your coop is wire and the snow can get in. You could cover it with a tarp.

 

[centrarchid]

I see from those pics your coop is wire and the snow can get in. You could cover it with a tarp.

Tarps can result in pens catching too much wind causing pens to literally roll or fly. Such damages / destroys pens and can even kill birds. Pens are light weight enabling frequent moving like with chicken tractors keeping birds over fresh green forage and aiding with parasite managment. During winter months exposure to elements is tolerated very well except for during the wet blizzard events. By end of day chickens were able to dry off even though snow continued to fall because temperature dropped to below freezing. Tarps will not be used until May when pens are moved to the production season yard where I have a combination of windbreaks and large trees. Heat of summer is by far more of a threat than cold of winter or even the wet blizzard events.

 

[cary 1973]

I feel so bad for all your birds right now and my girls are inside laying in front of the fan trying to cool off as we are in the 80;s right now

 

[centrarchid]

My birds show the first signs of heat stress one temperatures get into the lower 80's. Preferred temperature for adults is in range of 40 to 70's. Juveniles and chicks like the warmer temperatures.