When to Return a Bird Outdoors in Winter after Injury/Sickness

[TheBeardedNerd]

Hey folks! I've had chickens for 10 years and one thing I always have a hard time with is knowing if it's safe to return a bird outside in cold weather after being injured or falling ill and was nursed back to good health.

Normally if a bird gets injured in the Winter, I bring them indoors so I'm not also battling the elements while trying to get the bird healthy. How quickly do they acclimate to the indoor temperatures to the point where it's harmful to put them back outside during the Winter? Do you wait to put them outdoors during a string of days with higher than average temperatures? Once healthy, even if they've been inside a heated home, are they safe to return to 30-50 degree temps during the day and as low as 10-25 at night?

 

[Mrs. K]

I live in western SD, and it is rather arid here. However, it is not uncommon for temperatures to swing wildly all winter long. We frequently go from mid 60's to well below zero, sometimes overnight. Sometimes we are several days above 50, and then plunge to bitter arctic cold.

To be honest, I see no change in my chickens at all. Although sometimes drastic cold, will reduce their feed consumption, (which makes no sense, but does happen) for a day or two.

I think sunshine and fresh air are very vital to a chickens health, I keep mine outside, but realize that others do not. If you are very worried, them let them out for a couple of hours and check on them. If they are active and curious, and eating, they are generally fine.

I think you will have a bigger problem getting them back into the flock.

Mrs K

 

[TheBeardedNerd]

I live in western SD, and it is rather arid here. However, it is not uncommon for temperatures to swing wildly all winter long. We frequently go from mid 60's to well below zero, sometimes overnight. Sometimes we are several days above 50, and then plunge to bitter arctic cold.

To be honest, I see no change in my chickens at all. Although sometimes drastic cold, will reduce their feed consumption, (which makes no sense, but does happen) for a day or two.

I think sunshine and fresh air are very vital to a chickens health, I keep mine outside, but realize that others do not. If you are very worried, them let them out for a couple of hours and check on them. If they are active and curious, and eating, they are generally fine.

I think you will have a bigger problem getting them back into the flock.

Mrs K

Thanks for the reply and that's all solid advice! Fortunately for me I have a pretty calm flock, they don't really bully unfamiliar birds. I think my flock is too calm, I've seen a juvenile hawk land and free range with them. Luckily nobody got hurt.

 

[Dhkoenig]

Hey folks! I've had chickens for 10 years and one thing I always have a hard time with is knowing if it's safe to return a bird outside in cold weather after being injured or falling ill and was nursed back to good health.

Normally if a bird gets injured in the Winter, I bring them indoors so I'm not also battling the elements while trying to get the bird healthy. How quickly do they acclimate to the indoor temperatures to the point where it's harmful to put them back outside during the Winter? Do you wait to put them outdoors during a string of days with higher than average temperatures? Once healthy, even if they've been inside a heated home, are they safe to return to 30-50 degree temps during the day and as low as 10-25 at night?

How did this work out for you? I just returned one of mine into the flock and it’s about 40° today, maybe about 70 in the room. She was sleeping in for a few days. She seems to be happy, she’s taking a dirt bath, but I wonder about the next few nights when it drops into the 20s and teens.