How do you prepare your poultry pals when severe weather strikes?

[BigBlueHen53]

The 26 chickens will be on their own in the event of a tornado. This is not because I am heartless, but because we already survived a near miss from a tornado about eight or ten years ago and I discovered that they couldn't care less and I could neither herd nor catch them. They'll likely huddle under the carport if it rains hard or hails, or sail away if the tornado comes close enough to actually affect them. The dogs, cats and humans will be huddling in the basement again.

 

[Mantisquailman]

Howdy Everyone!

As you may have heard, the Midwest was struck by some pretty devastating tornados and hail this week. I live in one of the areas that was heavily hit. Thoughts and prayers go out to those affected. With Spring and warmer temperatures quickly approaching for many of us, severe weather also creeps along with it.
This got me wondering, what do other poultry keepers do when tornado season is active? And how do you react when a watch or warning for severe weather is issued for your area?
Anyone have any tips for keeping poultry safe during severe weather events? Does anyone take any special precautions? How do you prepare your coops for strong winds and hail? I have also heard stories of chickens acting strangely when storms approach, has anyone had these experiences before?

Share any tornado or storm stories you have that deal with your outside animals!
We've brought animals indoors into our cellar/basement when tornado warnings have been issued.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, wind, and flooding definitely are trickier when you have outside animals!

Enjoy the spring season and stay safe everyone!


View attachment 3773696

I put zip tie on clear shower curtains from the dollar tree on my run
part of the coop for wind and rain protection.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

We have had tornadoes within 20 minutes of us. But never have they actually hit.
We have has strong 65-70 mph winds, and rain that flooded pur backyard. The girls stayed in the coop on those days until the flooding went away.
Our coop is heavy so im never worried about it flying away. It took 5 people and a bobcat to move it. We havr dog pannel fencing thats a few inches in the ground. And then 4x 4 posts and 2 x4s holding up the roof, which is tin. Which is then bolted to our garage.
If a severe storm were to hit i know my girls would be safe as they know where to hide once they escape the run.

We get more snow here than we do severe storms, so i always put tarps around the run. And if its negative degrees i lock them in the coop.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Please stay safe. As much as everyone cares for their chickens and would do everything to keep them safe, human life takes precedent. Animals are resilient and they have incredible survival skills.

Thank you and yes, I think we do have our priorities in order.

 

[ChickenScratchFeathers]

You can try using t posts and tying them on the dog panels. That what I've done to keep the pen from flying away in windy weather.

That's a really good idea, I am going to give that a try!

 

[ChickenScratchFeathers]

So this is my Amazon pen after a very severe storm on Friday. We had wind gusts up to 70miles hr at times. Some of my smaller trees where sideways with the wind. Only issue I had was a two year old tarp on my main hoopcoop tore at the seams on the front.

On the hoopcoop will be building a solid roof this year on the roost end.

It's counter weighted by cinderblocks on the left corner and front right corner. Also have some 4×6s on the right side in preparation to build another pen. There is sand over the base feet up to and sometimes over the bottom bars.
View attachment 3775417

Oh wow! Your coop set up looks amazing! Glad to hear it all survived the storms, yikes!
I am going to give this coop set up a try for future flocks. Thank you!

 

[ChickenScratchFeathers]

Have a solid coop/run. Let the birds make the decision. Mine can enter the coop at any time. Check when the storm is over.

Don't risk your life .

That is good! I will keep that in mind, Thank you!

 

[ChickenScratchFeathers]

For snow, I cover some of my smaller cages with feed bags to block out the snow and wind as much as I can. Give shavings to the other pens.

Wind/rain, I don't do anything different besides making sure my prefabs aren't tornadoed

Thats a good idea. We have tarps over the roof, and have the panels bent so they are in a triangular shape. We knock off the snow when we get a lot, seems to work well. Just the darn wind that rips the tarp off no matter how many zipties and bricks I put on top of it. I will try that for other coops though, thank you!

 

[ChickenScratchFeathers]

Thank you and yes, I think we do have our priorities in order.

Yes, I agree, thank you!

 

[ChickenScratchFeathers]

Years ago we had a cattle panel hoop house for the donkeys and sheep, like the one pictured in NagemTX post, but with wood frame at each end and two metal fence posts. It survived 80 mph wind. In 100 mph wind one of the panels bent a little, but survived more years. The curve, facing the wind, is aerodynamic. The air goes around the structure.

At the same time, we had chickens in a small wooden coop, looking similar to an outhouse, again with two metal fence posts to secure it. This structure also survived. The greenhouse did not.

Holy cow! It sounds like I need to invest in some hoop houses then! Thank you!
Sorry to hear about your greenhouse, that stinks!