Winter Weather

[Chickenmama1115]

First time chicken owner. What can I do to prepare for this snow storm coming in? We’re putting tarps around the whole run and coop. Putting extra straw and bedding. We have a heat plate inside the coop. Anything else I can do? Water and food in the coop? Do I still let them out daily?

 

[Debbie292d]

What are the temps during the day, with wind chill?

If they are locked in, can you remove the water and just give it to them a couple times a day? Open water in a closed coop might raise the humidity, which could lead to frostbite if the temps in there are below freezing.

As for letting them out during the day, we are not today. With these silkies, we'd only let them out if the temps are 15-20F and no or mild wind. Other chickens do just fine at zero or above and some even below zero. Wind chill matters though so I'd check that.

 

[Chickenmama1115]

What are the temps during the day, with wind chill?

If they are locked in, can you remove the water and just give it to them a couple times a day? Open water in a closed coop might raise the humidity, which could lead to frostbite if the temps in there are below freezing.

As for letting them out during the day, we are not today. With these silkies, we'd only let them out if the temps are 15-20F and no or mild wind. Other chickens do just fine at zero or above and some even below zero. Wind chill matters though so I'd check that.

 

[Mrs. K]

Give the birds options. Open the pop up door, if they want to go out, they can. Space and fresh air (even if cold) is important to health of chickens. I only close the pop up door at night, and only if is going to be below -20.

Keep an eye on them, but if they are active, they are fine. Do not be surprised if they eat less. Mine always do with a hard cold snap. Then a day or so latter they eat like crazy, wether the cold has let up or not.

I tried corn meal mush - but it froze solid, they didn't eat it. But they do like corn bread. Don't give too much. I give mine fresh water once a day. I use black rubber bowls, and stomp them out. I have carefully carried down fresh water, to have them eat the ice chips.

Mrs K

 

[Debbie292d]

That isn't so bad. I'd let ours out in that. At least we'd open the doors and some will come out and go right back in lol.

This I cannot. Wind chills are -40F.

 

[fldiver97]

I always keep the water in the run, either a heated waterer or the big rubber ones if I can refresh water during the day. I Have multiple feeders, one in the large walk in coop. If you block the run from the wind and snow/rain ( I like to use clear heavy plastic, let’s the light in and the sun warms a bit) they should be fine to use the run at will.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The coldest I've seen is -4 Fahrenheit. I leave the pop door open and let them decide. If a cold wind is blowing they are not going to be in it but if the wind is calm they go out to enjoy the weather. How do I know they are enjoying the weather? Because I give them the option and that is what they choose.

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

I am considering keeping them in the coop tomorrow night if the winds pick up, it will be close to -35c. It’s already gone down to -20 this evening.