As winter approaches, chicken owners need to take extra steps to ensure their flock stays healthy and productive during the colder months. Chickens are hardy birds that can tolerate cold temperatures remarkably well, but they do require some special accommodations when frigid weather sets in.
Here are some tips for keeping backyard chickens warm and well-fed throughout the winter. For reference, we live in zone 7B.
Provide a Draft-Free Coop
A coop that is chilled by winter winds can be dangerous and even deadly for chickens. Make sure their shelter is thoroughly sealed against drafts, with no gaps or openings along the roofline, doors, windows, or foundation. Consider hanging tarps or canvas over the coop’s mesh windows to block wind while still allowing ventilation. Insulate the walls with rigid foam boards and pile deep litter on the floor. Wrapping the coop with heavy plastic sheeting is another option for blocking cold air infiltration. Most importantly, the coop must be dry inside – moisture allows the cold to penetrate chickens’ feathers and lead to frostbite.
Ventilation and airflow are still necessary. Many chicken coops have ventilation in the roofing, which works great. Just make sure that the ventilation isn’t creating those drafts that blow through and keep your chickens cold.
Supplement Light in the Coop
Chickens rely on daylight to maintain their egg production, but winter brings fewer hours of sunshine. You’ll need to provide 14-16 hours per day of bright light to maintain full egg production in the winter.
This is not necessary to keep your chickens healthy, and in fact, we choose not to supplement light for our chickens. Yes, it decreases our egg production, but it also gives our hens a chance to rest through a natural cycle, hopefully increasing the length of time they have with us.
Set an automatic timer to turn lights on in the morning and off in the evening. Use LED bulbs or compact fluorescents – they generate plenty of light without producing much heat that could raise the coop’s temperature uncomfortably high overnight.
Give Access to the Outdoors
Even during winter, chickens should have a way to leave their coop and scratch around outdoors if they choose. Going outside provides enrichment, exercise, and exposure to fresh air and sunlight. Build a covered “winter garden” attached to the coop to prevent the ground from freezing solid while keeping chickens protected. Scatter scratch grains in the pen to encourage foraging. On sunny days above freezing, let the birds out into the main run for some free-range time.
We still let our chickens out all winter, unless the conditions are extremely icy. We don’t open the large coop door through, just the chicken door.
Modify the Diet
Chickens need extra calories in cold weather just to stay warm. Increase their feed rations during winter to account for this increased energy demand. Make sure they have constant access to drinking water – use heated dog bowls or immersible heaters to prevent freezing. Sprinkle scratch grains and treats in their bedding to motivate foraging activity. Avoid wet, fermented feeds like sprouts, which can harbor pathogens in cold storage.
Provide Grit and Calcium
Continue offering insoluble grit, which chickens swallow and store in their gizzards to grind up food. Grit supports digestion and provides calcium for strong eggshells. Crushed oyster shell and limestone grit are good options. If chickens aren’t getting outdoor foraging time, supplement their diet with a calcium source like Tums tablets.
Choose Wind-Proof Waterers
Chickens need a constant supply of unfrozen water. Metal or rubberized plastic waterers can withstand freezing better than plastic models. Invest in heaters made specifically for poultry founts – they keep water thawed without overheating to unsafe levels. Make sure electrical cords are protected from curious beaks. Refill waterers with warm (not hot) water at least twice a day during freezing weather.
Check Condition Frequently
Monitor your chickens daily during winter. Look for signs of frostbite on combs and wattles, which may turn pale or blackened. Watch for fowl mites, which often move inside the coop when it gets cold. Make sure the litter stays dry and doesn’t freeze into a solid mass. Scoop out moldy, wet spots and add fresh bedding. Keep an eye out for respiratory illness and isolate any chicken showing signs of sickness.
Let Chickens Huddle for Warmth
Don’t separate chickens into individual pens during winter. They need physical contact with each other to share body heat. Feathered bodies stacked together can raise the temperature several degrees in the center of a huddle. Always provide enough roosting bars and nest boxes so chickens don’t have to crowd uncomfortably at bedtime.
Close the Coop Tightly at Night
A warm, insulated coop helps chickens conserve body heat overnight. Close all doors, windows, and vents tightly before dusk each evening. Place a piece of cardboard over the access door to block drafts. Open ventilation ports the next morning when you let the birds out. Never close chickens in completely air-tight overnight.
Keep Water Unfrozen Overnight
One of the biggest winter challenges is keeping water available when sub-freezing temperatures hit. Use several techniques together for the best results: insulate lines and tanks, place founts on a heating pad or hot bricks, use immersion heaters, refresh water multiple times daily, and/or purchase thermostatically controlled poultry water warmers.
Deep Clean the Coop
Before cold weather sets in, do a thorough coop cleaning and sanitizing. Remove all residues where moisture could collect and freeze. Dump out or compost soiled litter, scrub the floor and walls, sanitize with bleach or vinegar, and apply lime if needed. Replace with fresh, absorbent litter at least 6 inches deep. Cleaning now reduces frostbite risk and disease issues later.
Check for Ventilation Problems
Proper ventilation prevents moisture buildup, but beware of creating drafts. Make sure vents are open along the upper part of walls or roofline, so stale air can escape without chilling chickens. Check for condensation, mold, or frost inside, which indicates ventilation needs adjustment. Remove ice on the walls or ceiling as needed.
Transition Feed Gradually
Sudden feed changes can upset chickens’ digestive health. Start shifting to a winter diet by blending new feeds with the flock’s current ration. Gradually adjust proportions over 1-2 weeks until only the new blend remains. This gives their gut microbiome time to adapt. Prioritize wheat- or corn-based feeds over barley or oats for extra carbohydrate energy.
Provide Windbreaks as Needed
If the coop sits in an exposed location, a windbreak can shield it from harsh winter winds. Stack square bales of straw along the prevailing wind side. Erect temporary sheets of plywood, preferably painted black to absorb heat from the sun. Make sure the wind barrier is several feet from the coop to prevent snowdrifts piling against the walls.
Keep Litter Clean and Dry
Ammonia from frosty, unclean litter is toxic for chickens’ airways. Remove any sections that are damp or soiled. Add fresh litter generously to keep the floor completely dry. Stirring or raking the litter daily helps it dry thoroughly after any moisture from chicken droppings. Provide a thick, fluffy layer where chickens can burrow in and stay insulated.
Let Chickens Roam on Warm Days
When temperatures climb above freezing, open the coop and allow free-ranging. Chickens will relish the chance to scratch, dust-bathe, and forage outdoors. Watch for frosted combs and wattles – if their flesh appears pale, get the bird back into the warm coop immediately. Provide clean, non-frozen water as chickens will drink more after exercising outside.
Watch for Cabin Fever
Chickens can get bored when cooped up all winter. Try enrichment activities like hanging cabbage heads, scattering scratch mix, or hiding treats in boxes for them to discover. Check for frayed feathers on roosts from jostling. Boost calm by providing roosting boxes high off the floor and spacing perches 18-24 inches apart vertically. Discourage fighting by increasing living space.
Keeping Chickens Warm and Well-Fed During Winter
Chickens are remarkably resilient during winter if their basic needs are met. Focus on keeping the flock dry, draft-free, well-fed, and able to interact socially. Monitor coop conditions daily and watch for signs of distress in chickens. With a little preparation and vigilance, your backyard hens can continue laying eggs and thriving all winter long. Adapt as needed if extreme cold or storms hit your area. Stay alert and address any issues promptly before they escalate. Let your birds follow their instincts to snuggle tightly together overnight – they will keep each other warm!
