[beth123]

Morning everyone

Should I let my girls out in the snow?

[alancane]

Go for it! 

[pigeonpie]

Hi,
My girls were out in the snow that we had last year.  Despite having a covered run they chose to spend most of their time out under the bushes, there was a lovely chicken footpath of compacted snow from the run to the feeder and to the bushes!
They were all fine, despite some of them being quite bald (they're ex-batts).
We did snow proof their run by putting some rigid plastic up at the sides to stop the snow blowing in but despite making sure that there was always food and water in the run they still chose to go out.  The funniest I saw was one of the girls with 2 inch snow platforms where the snow had stuck to her feet, she carried on regardless!
The only thing I did different was to make sure that they had plenty of vegetables to eat as they couldn't graze like they normally do.  I cooked potatoes for them and any veg peelings and scraps every day, which they really enjoyed.

[carolbriar]

Mine were out in temperatures of -11c last year and it didn't seem to bother them.  We have about an inch or so of snow on the ground this morning.  I have just given them some pellets made into a mash with hot water.  They love having that on a cold morning.  They then get corn in the afternoon before bed.  I have noticed in the last two or three days that the hens have gone into the coop during the day to get out of the cold wind.  Last year they never seemed to go in there regardless of how cold it was.  Lets hope this snow doesn't last too long!

[joyfull]

mine are not amused this morning with two inches of snow on the ground, however they do have their warm porridge and have plenty of shelter under all the trees and shrubs 

[evie2]

Definitely let them out, then sit with a cuppa and watch the fun

Only 2 of our girls have seen snow before, they came out ate some of it, had some food and went back into the coop. even though half the run is covered

The poots are sitting huddled up together on their highest perch in the covered run having a natter about the white stuff

Only one of the big girls was happily ploughing her way round the garden and stopping every so often to stand on one leg before setting off to plough some more
The others hadn't ventured as far and were performing the ministry of silly walks round the open run

[evie2]

What do the new girls think of it Joyfull?

[joyfull]

the boy refuses to come out and the girls both shrieked as soon as their feet landed on the snow and then they flew into the trees. They now have a little bowl of porridge so have calmed down. The poots have made their way into my lean to and are being pampered so seem quite happy 

[jamima]

Mine were a bit reluctant to come out but they did in the end , dont like it much though , only had an inch !

[joyfull]

evie how are your poots with the snow?

[evie2]

They're more in than out and they just keep complaining at the moment they're all  in the doorway of the coop all fluffed up and twittering even Georgie ploughing round their run hasn't tempted them out

[Carla]

My girls didnt seem bothered at all, as if they'd been out in it their whole lives....considering they were kept in red hot battery farm until August, they are taking it in their stride   Bit concerned about the sleeping arrangements though. Nellie was roosting on her own, the other two refusing to and cuddling up in a nest box.  Have been stressing about Nellie freezing to death on her own, so tonight, I've taken the perch down so they're forced to cuddle up together. Have I done the right thing?  Blocking the nest boxes doesn't make the other 2 perch either, they just sit in the corner together 

[Casey76]

Mine were complaining today... then again we're up to abut 6ins now - which is deeper than the 'poots are.

So everyone will be getting breakfast in bed tomorrow... if I can get to the pen lol!

[evie2]

The poots ventured onto the snow, then headed for their high perch

I'm more concerned about Star, she's looking a bit like a oven ready chicken bless her, she's been up beside the house wall in the sun most of the day