Fowl Weather Coop Storm Prep
Kristin Jordan, with one of the newest additions to her flock, Elsa, a Partridge Cochin hen.
secure shelter space within or adjacent to the coop, such as an enclosed area layered with bedding, to reduce stress and optimize safety for your flock.
• Plan for evacuation scenarios.
When it comes to evacuation, Jordan’ s experience during Hurricane Milton offers valuable insight. With 33 chickens to consider, transporting her entire flock safely was not possible, and for the first time, she had to make the heartbreaking choice to evacuate and leave her birds behind for the safety of her family.
“ As much as we love our flocks, human safety must always come first when facing life-threatening weather. The emotional toll of this decision was significant, but ultimately, it was the right call given the circumstances,” Jordan said.
For keepers who do attempt to evacuate with chickens, Jordan recommends preparing for at least a week away and packing enough food, water and supplies for your birds as well as yourself.
She cautions that not all storm shelters allow poultry, so it’ s crucial to check regulations in advance and investigate possible options for pet-friendly or livestock-friendly accommodations.
She suggests creating an evacuation plan well before hurricane season, including knowing how you would safely transport your flock, using crates, pens or portable coops, and accounting for the needs of each bird.
Post-Storm Recovery Tips
The aftermath of a hurricane can be overwhelming, with downed trees, structural damage and a disoriented flock just some of the challenges chicken keepers face.
After returning home following Hurricane Milton, Jordan and her family were greeted by scenes of widespread destruction in their community, dozens of barns and small structures had roofs ripped off and power lines littered the roads. Their relief at finding their own home and coop intact was immense, especially knowing the effort they’ d put into preparation.
The chickens, though frustrated from their time indoors in the garage, were safe and healthy.
• Jordan’ s approach begins with immediately clearing any fallen limbs and debris away from the coop area.
• She then conducted a thorough inspection of the entire setup, treating it as though she’ s building the coop for the first time. This means meticulously checking for breaks or weak spots in fencing or hardware cloth, examining the roof for damage or leaks and looking for holes from limbs or other debris that may have battered the structure during the storm.
• Water damage is also a key concern, as moisture can quickly lead to unhealthy conditions for the flock.
• The next step is to gradually return the chickens to normal routines as soon as it’ s safe, which means letting them back into the cleaned and secured coop, providing their usual feed and water and watching closely for any signs of stress or illness, such as lethargy or a drop in egg production.
Although your chickens may seem fine, Jordan notes that the trauma of a big storm lingers and extra attention, patience and treats go a long way toward re-establishing a sense of calm and security.
By systematically assessing damage, proactively repairing and cleaning and providing reassurance to her flock, Jordan successfully restores order after even the most serious weather events, turning recovery into an opportunity to strengthen both her chickens’ environment and their bond with her family.
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