At the moment each day seems to get worse than the day before despite the forecast showing that it was going to improve a little. I think this is because although the temperature today was similar to yesterday the conditions were much worse.
Yesterday there were some sunny spells and the snow started and stopped throughout the day. Today there has been no sun and it has snowed all day. There has also been a bitterly cold wind. The snow has swirled in all directions meaning that despite the run being roofed the snow has blown in through the sides. The entire run was covered in a layer of snow.
I dug over the top part of the run first thing this morning and an hour later it was covered again. I decided it was a waste of time digging it.
The entire inside of the run is covered with snow
The girls confined themselves to the patio area. They seemed reluctant to step out into the snow covered run and I don’t blame them. My husband and myself both agreed that it would be best to hook the chicken shed open to encourage them to use it to shelter and to scratch in.
I have decided to leave the chicken shed door hooked open
The girls are staying in the chicken shed
I put the water, the mash and the pellets just outside the chicken shed. I didn’t want to put it inside the shed as it would get filled with pine shavings. I also added some apple to keep the girls occupied.
I kept returning to defrost the water. I had made the mash with the tylan water so I brought it in several times during the day and stood it in a bowl of hot water to defrost it and warm it a bit. I then put it in the shed for the girls while I supervised and once they had had a good feed I put it back outside the shed.
Having some warmed mash
The girls seemed to appreciate this. I have given them extra sunflower hearts and corn while the conditions are like this. The main thing is to make sure that they eat and drink and stay sheltered. The mash and apple help with extra moisture and the shed is the best place for them at the moment.
When I first decided I wanted seramas I tried to come up with ways of restricting them to the patio area and chicken shed in bad weather. Nothing successfully kept them to this area. I now realise that they are smart enough to know what is good for them and they have kept to the chicken shed and the area just in front of it all day today. It has made poop picking really easy as it was all in the shed.
During the afternoon Cinnamon laid her second egg of the year in the nest box closest to the chicken shed. I had thought these conditions might delay egg laying but it seems not.
Tomorrow is forecast to be the same as today so I will do the same as I did today and leave the chicken shed open for the girls. There is supposed to be an improvement in the weather at the weekend. I really hope so. If the girls can get through the next few days I think they will be able to cope with anything.
In the newspaper it said that today was the coldest March day since records began. I say it again, roll on spring!
Click here to see the history of my flock.
As you said, Roll on spring.
Absolutely. I am so so fed up of this weather!
It’s not nice is it Carol – mine are toooooo stupid to go in the hen house – they just shelter underneath the house where the snow can’t get in! Roll on some normal weather!! :-0
xx
I was surprised that they had the sense to stay in the chicken shed or close to it. Luckily they can’t get underneath as it’s sat on concrete. Can’t wait for normal weather. xx
My run is covered and the covers go a fair way down the sides, they keep out most of the rain but my run was almost totally covered in snow today too. It was so light and dry it blew everywhere.
I’ve been worried about Bernadette in this ridiculous cold too as she was so poorly sorecently. I’ve been feeding them way more corn and sunflower hearts than is good for them jus to be sure they go to sleep with full crops, and have got a snugglesafe to put in their house.
Like Cinnamon though Penny laid her second egg today, so they can’t that uncomfortable! I will be glad when the temperatures get back the right side of 0 though!
This snow and with this wind, gets every where. I too have been giving extra sunflower hearts and corn. As long as they have full crops at bedtime I don’t think it matters at the moment what with. As you say it is amazing that eggs are laid and a good sign but can’t wait for better temperatures.
We’ve had frozen water too. It’s so difficult as we have to go out to work and I worry about it freezing while we’re out. We’re just about managing though. It’s a good idea to let them hang out in the shed.
Frozen water is the worst worry. We are lucky that we are here a lot of the time and I can imagine how much worse the worry is when you are not around. It is great to let them hang around in the shed. A lot of shavings get scratched out but that is a small price to pay at the moment. A few more days and the weather should be better.
Well I couldn’t stand it any longer!! As Jenny said the run was covered in snow despite my run being well covered and when I went out last night (about one o’clock) the snow was getting into their sleeping quarters so I brought them in. They’re currently in the spare bedroom in my indoor bunny cage. I must say it’s easier for me too not having to battle my way through the snow – we have about nine inches here with a lot more forecast. It’s forecast to get warmer on Sunday (apparently!!) – thank goodness I only have micro chickens!!! :-0
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Oh dear! I am lucky that my girls’ chicken shed is well secure and we added extra protection to the roof so they stay dry. More snow coming soon until midnight but four degrees forecast tomorrow so I will clear the snow from the patio roof tomorrow. Freckles has been out having a scratch in the run just now. As you say it’s a good job the girls are tiny. xx
It wasn’t coming through the roof – it was coming through the door gap – I think because it’s so fine and being blown about. Poor Vi was sat on her perch with snow crystals right next to her!! :-0
xx
The snow has been very fine and it’s been very windy. Again I am lucky that their door and pop hole open on to the covered patio area with solid roof and solid sides. The end of the patio furthest from the chicken shed gets snow blown onto it even with covered sides as it blows in from the run. I have been sweeping it each time I go in. You have had much snow than we have. We have had about two inches. xx
My house with covered run was exactly like yours – have never seen it snow covered before, but the wind has made the powdery snow come through the sides, despite some protective panels. I am changing the water a couple of times a day; I don’t like putting it inside, but needs must. There seems to be a slight improvement this afternoon but still not able to get the car out. Am virtually out of new bedding, having ‘topped up’ and suspect I’ll not be able to get out for more until Monday.
I have never seen my run snow covered before. As you say it is so powdery, coupled with the windy conditions. Despite it snowing at the moment it does actually seem to be slightly improved. I have just checked the water again and it hasn’t frozen since I defrosted it a few hours ago. The good news is that tomorrow is warming up and Sunday even more so.