Kentwitch Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 This is our first year with chickens and we are so worried about this cold weather as it is below zero and snow is forecast. They have a WIR and a cube which keeps them warm during the night, but what about during the day? Some reassurance would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 I would put a windbreak on the side facing the wind. At the moment from the East Brrrrr. Perhaps tie something to the run the give them some shelter. Last year when it was really cold, icy and snow etc., I found they had their own microclimate in the cube run with a shower curtain on the top and down one side. The water rarely froze even when the ground was frozen outside. So check the water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenniewren76 Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 I too am worried about this but I had to catch one of my escaping girls...I couldn't open the run door to open the pop hole as it had frozen shut!!!!! well I opened the side door to open it that way and one of my girls escaped I picked her up and noticed how lovely and warm she was so I'm guessing they cope quite well. It was fun when they caught their first glimps of snow today and quickly legged it into the coup all I saw was three little face poking out wondering what the white stuff was!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Can I just reassure you, when we had the 3 foot of white stuff in February this year mine were all fine. I don't think anyone on here lost any to the cold. I have two that roost outside, and yes, they STILL stayed out, all through the deep deep snow. I can't remember if I shut the Cube door, I'm going to do it now, but they'll be snug enough out there and my two "outsiders" will still be perched on their branch, refusing to go in I normally make up some sort of warm mash in the mornings when it's really cold, left over veg, cereal, bit of warm water, raisins etc as I like to think of them with something warm in their tums BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Yes mine still ventured out and found a gnome at the top of the garden He wasn't brave enough to go the other side of the netting then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisEllis Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 I've heard they quite enjoy the snow - though i do worry mine are still only id say about 11 weeks, they are doing fine - they all snuggle up and some are sleeping on their own now - getting bigger! I'd say a good idea is get some tarpooling and put it over the coop - i have a bi run with the coop in the run so i dont know if it would work for eglu etc. and anyway this tarpooling will stop so much snow etc getting on it and also it will help contian the heat that the chickens make. and then as said before a win break would be good, and also a shelter. mine are quite smart they tend to go back in their coop anyway and sit there untill i come out scruffy runs towards me and jumps on my arm whatever the weather! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
