Worried about hens - left outside in single digits overnight.

[liljunie]

I have two separate pen coops and runs. All of my chickens are acting stressed out by the 6-8 inches of snow that fell Thursday into Friday. I shoveled their pens so they could walk around and put a thick layer of hay so they are not standing in the snow. When I went to put them in last night, all of my LF were not in the coop (I picked up each one and put them in). This is unusual, sometimes I have a straggler but never all of them. My silkies appeared to be all tucked in so I shut the door of the coop.. This morning I found 3 of the light colored silkies under the coop (it was dark when I closed up) they always go in the coop themselves. I picked them up and they felt cold (they had frost on them). I put them in the coop with the others to warm up.

I don't understand this behavior! Am I more freaked out about the single digit temps than they are??

 

[7&8]

I think we need to think for the chickens sometimes...especially Silkies. Watch their feet for frostbite...pop any blisters and apply antibiotic cream...hope they're alright!

 

[liljunie]

Thanks! I love my silkies but not the brightest flock!