By now we are all probably aware that there is a storm brewing and most likely headed to Louisiana. This isn’t anything new if you’re a long time resident of the state, but maybe you’re like me and have a backyard full of chickens and you need to know what to do.
I take care of a large number of chickens every day, and with this storm, on the horizon, I want to make sure that all chicken owners are properly prepared. It does not matter if you own only a handful of chickens or if your yard is full of them; making sure that your chickens are ready to ride out the storm with you is very important.
Almost every time it will not be an option for you to bring your chickens inside, I know it’s not an option for me. In this instance, there are still a number of steps you can take to heighten the safety of your chickens outside during a storm.
– Trim weak or overhanging branches from all trees around the area of your chicken coop.
– If your coop(s) are not secured to the ground it is recommended you use ground ties to reduce wind damage.
– Take a good look at your coop for missing or lose boards… secure any you find.
– Make sure the roof of your coop is in good shape… high winds will easily damage the roof.
– Turn off all electrical power and water running to the coop to prevent damage.
– Remove anything from inside the coop that may be picked up by high winds.
– Make sure you have plenty of feed stocked up as well… stores may not open quickly after the storm passes.
Remember to never put yourself in danger to check on your chickens during a storm, but do immediately check on them once the storm has passed. It will be smart to have a very basic veterinarian first aid kit handy as well just in case you need to deal with any minor injuries your chickens may have sustained during the storm.
In a worst-case scenario, an evacuation may be necessary. If you need to leave the house and you have time to safely do so with your chickens there are a couple of simple items that can make things easier. Chickens can easily be transported inside your car with the use of pet carriers, dog kennels, and even cardboard boxes. If you must use cardboard boxes to move your chickens make sure to line the inside with some type of fabric.
This is not everything that you can do to make sure your chickens stay safe during a storm, but if you follow this checklist you’ll be off to a good start.
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