Winter... brrr!

[chickens really]

Great . . . I guess they'll be roosting outside for the winter because my tree-climbing days are over.

....

 

[Doc McCluckins]

My d'Uccles don't care to go inside their coop. They always roost on top or on the roosting pole in the run area. We are in TN so it doesn't get REALLY COLD but real standards (though under 40F is really cold to me lol) I read that d'Uccles aren't really cold hardy. Should I start placing them in their coop at night when the temps get well below freezing? I don't want to risk loosing any to the cold.

 

[Doc McCluckins]

And of course my ducks are always in the water even when its freezing. They don't seem to mind it one bit.

 

[Chickassan]

They're tiny so if it gets in the low 20's I'd put them in the coop,they aren't acclimated to super cold due to your location. As pointed out, chickens aren't smart when it comes to knowing its time to go in lol! I've seen a rouge roo collect icicles instead of going three feet into the coop.

My d'Uccles don't care to go inside their coop. They always roost on top or on the roosting pole in the run area. We are in TN so it doesn't get REALLY COLD but real standards (though under 40F is really cold to me lol) I read that d'Uccles aren't really cold hardy. Should I start placing them in their coop at night when the temps get well below freezing? I don't want to risk loosing any to the cold.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you for commenting! I live in Wisconsin and last year was our first year with our feather babies (10 barred rocks, 8 Rhode Island reds). With the single digit temps (Fahrenheit) lately, I haven't let them out. I like your guide on the temps range of letting them out versus keeping them in. Thank you!

I'm in Wisconsin too. I don't lock any of my birds in. All can choose to go in or out as they please. As long as your loophole or door doesn't face the prevailing winds there's no need to close it. Most animals know when to go in. All the wild ducks and geese that winter over in this state sleep on the ground, ice or in the water.

 

[Doc McCluckins]

They're tiny so if it gets in the low 20's I'd put them in the coop,they aren't acclimated to super cold due to your location. As pointed out, chickens aren't smart when it comes to knowing its time to go in lol! I've seen a rouge roo collect icicles instead of going three feet into the coop.

Thanks! I'll do that tonight and see how they do.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My d'Uccles don't care to go inside their coop. They always roost on top or on the roosting pole in the run area. We are in TN so it doesn't get REALLY COLD but real standards (though under 40F is really cold to me lol) I read that d'Uccles aren't really cold hardy. Should I start placing them in their coop at night when the temps get well below freezing? I don't want to risk loosing any to the cold.

My d'uccle are fine in winter. Temperatures can fall down into the -20's F. Your temperatures are a warm balmy day. I haven't found them to be any less hardy than other breeds. I will assume your coop is smaller. Many chickens don't like going into tight spaces. You will want them to be in when it rains, so best to keep putting them in until they do it themselves.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

My ducks and chickens have ample area to get inside the coop and ouf of the weather... but most of them insist on still sleeping outside! Should I lock them in or will they eventually go in if they get cold enough? Last winter I locked the chickens in but not the ducks. I don't want snowbirds!

Perhaps you could update your approx location in your profile. It would appear under your avatar and would make your question about weather exposure more benefited by other members being aware of your geographical coldness.

 

[Doc McCluckins]

My d'uccle are fine in winter. Temperatures can fall down into the -20's F. Your temperatures are a warm balmy day. I haven't found them to be any less hardy than other breeds. I will assume your coop is smaller. Many chickens don't like going into tight spaces. You will want them to be in when it rains, so best to keep putting them in until they do it themselves.

They may not mind the outside since the top is covered. This is a picture of the coop they are in. Two go inside but most of them roost on top of the coop and a few on the roost that runs through the middle. They may feel protected since it is all covered but it still seems like they would want out of the breeze.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They may not mind the outside since the top is covered. This is a picture of the coop they are in. Two go inside but most of them roost on top of the coop and a few on the roost that runs through the middle. They may feel protected since it is all covered but it still seems like they would want out of the breeze. View attachment 1204721

That's a dark scary looking coop. You could block the back and side with something clear like plexiglass, or clear roof panels, and they will be fine roosting out there in my opinion.