Winter/ Free Range or leave in Run?

[ILuvsChicks]

With winter coming with freezing temperatures, Should you still let the birds out to Free Range or just leave them in the run?
Seems now that all the bugs are gone now with the cold weather in there any reason to let them out to rome around?

 

[The Farm]

I think it is great to let them out if they want to but don't make them. My chickens like to scratch around in the garden and eat worms and other stuff...

 

[1muttsfan]

Not an issue here, comes the snow and wind and not a claw outside of the coop for days, the weenies.

 

[crazyfeathers]

I'm in Wisconsin, my flock still goes outside and we have snow and 8 degree weather. They may not stay out long on the colder days but if it's above 20 degrees the are outside all day. My brave flock

 

[jsmith2952]

I live in Canada and so far my hens have come out every day--even with crazy wind and sub zero temperatures. They slog through snow and don't really seem to care, other than the fact that when they get cold enough they puff up into little fluff balls! (They look like Angry Birds!! It's so cute!). They still manage to find bugs under the snow...theyre pretty persistent. I just leave the door I the run open so they have the option--they DO choose to spend most of the morning in the coop/run but will venture out most afternoons. Not sure how their little feet don't freeze, but I think chickens are tougher than they seem.

 

[Going Quackers]

I just open their doors, they can do what the like. I am cold today, 14F with a windchill of 5F... or in my world -10C WC of -15c lol either way COLD! funny enough, chickens seem to be able to find things, i admit i have had no trouble in the past snow-blowing(small electric shovel type) pathways, or sweeping areas for them. To me they need the option, with the molt some of my standards have been in they have not been partaking but that is to be expected, they aren't stupid they know what is appropriate they just need the opportunity to decide.