It’s no secret that I adore my chickens and as the cold revs up they require some special attention to ensure their health and comfort. Here are some of my essential tips for taking care of chickens in cold weather:
1. Maintain a Clean Coop: It’s crucial to keep the coop clean, especially in winter. Chicken poop contributes to humidity inside the coop, and this humidity can freeze, making the environment uncomfortable and potentially hazardous for the chickens. Regularly removing poop and maintaining a dry environment will help keep your chickens warm and healthy.
2. Provide Scratch Grains: In addition to their regular feed, offering your chickens some scratch grains can be beneficial. These grains take more energy to digest, which in turn helps generate more body heat. This is a natural way to help your chickens stay warm during colder periods. This isn’t a replacement for quality feed but it is a good trick!
3. Use Flat 2x4s for Roosting: Instead of traditional round roosts, provide flat 2x4s for your chickens to roost on. This allows them to sit down fully and cover their feet with their bodies, which is a critical aspect of staying warm. Chickens lose a lot of heat through their feet, so being able to cover them helps conserve body heat.
4. Ensure Adequate Ventilation: While it’s important to keep the coop warm, proper ventilation is also crucial. Ample ventilation reduces moisture build-up, which minimizes the risk of respiratory issues and frostbite. I have ventilation high in the runs and coop so that the chickens are not caught in any sort of draft where they roost.
5. Provide Extra Insulation: Adding extra bedding material (I use deep hemp and adore it) but pine shavings work too and can help insulate the coop and keep the birds warm. Make sure the bedding is dry and change it as needed to maintain a healthy environment.
6. Offer Warm Treats: Occasionally, you can give your chickens warm treats like cooked oatmeal, corn, or even scrambled eggs (chickens are not vegetarians!) I even add grub worms and maybe even some kale or other greens to the mix for some vitamins and extra protein. These not only provide a warm-up from the inside but are also a good source of energy.
7. Check for Frostbite: Regularly check your chickens for signs of frostbite, especially on their combs and wattles. Frostbite appears as pale, discolored, or blackened areas. If you notice any signs, consult with a veterinarian for the best course of action.
8. Ensure Access to Water: It’s vital that chickens have access to water that isn’t frozen. Consider using a heated water dish or regularly replacing the water to keep it from freezing.
These are a few of my tips. What are some of yours? Always working to ensure our chickens stay warm, healthy, and comfortable in every season! They give so much to us and while some consider us a “little extra”, keeping our feathered friends happy is a honor and fun for me. Stay warm, my friends! Now that’s BombDiggity!