Won't come out in the snow

[Kim_NC]

Quote:
Hi neighbor! Y'all got hit pretty hard! I'm heading out in a few minutes to give them some warm water, scratch and also some cooked oatmeal. Hoping that that will warm them up a bit since they won't sit in the coop with the heat lamp. I'll have to snap some pics...

Hey neighbor!

Well, we went out at 3:30 to give a treat of scratch, refill water, collect eggs. By that time the sheet of snow on top the tri-plex of breeding coops had started loosened in the afternoon sun and slid partially off the coop roof. It had all 3 main door openings half blocked AND had put so much weight on one door it had nearly pulled the hinges off the door frame. *sigh* We had to drag an outdoor drop cord for the electric drill around there to repair the door. Thank heavens the wind wasn't blowing.

I got a 40% lay - the Delaware pen did best. I suppose I'm lucky to get any eggs. LOL (Usually we get 75% at this time of year, except for big snaps in the weather).

 

[Chick N Lay D]

5 of our hens stayed huddled up under an evergreen and would not come out to go into their coop. I think the snow came on fast and they got confused. Please - can someone tell me if they'll be able to survive the night? We put their chicken tractor nearby with a tarp over it to keep the snow out and filled it with hay. It's supposed to be like 20 degrees tonite. Please let me know if you've had a similar experience - or else I'll totally go out there and try and bring them in, one by one (a good idea or will they get even more freaked out?) Help! Thanks

 

[2dancingrats]

We got some snow and really really cold windy weather. My chickens came out and headed for the rock pile which didn't have much snow on it. They refused to come back across to go inside. I did carry them one by one. The first one freaked out. The rest seemed to realize they were getting home without having to step in any snow.
I believe that cold feet is a big deal with them. My duck and geese hate cold feet too!
I think you should get them inside if you possibly can.

 

[Orpstralope]

Dang, in Boone we got almost 23" inches on a yardstick at my house. It wasn't too cold, but a ton of snow. Chickens didn't even bother looking outside. Figure theyd be happy in there while I'm at my parents.

 

[Mrs. K]

I have the yard covered with old hay, and if the snow doesn't get too deep, or after it starts, I just rake up the hay into piles. I turn the snow underneath, and my girls love to jump on the piles, and spread it all out again on top of the snow. I pile it up once a week or so, and keep adding to it through out the winter. All that scratching will make perfect mulch for my garden next summer. And with very few weed seeds. mk