Keeping Chickens Warm in the Winter

Like most animals chickens need special care in the winter months. To determine if you need to do any thing extra for your birds over the winter ask yourself if your temperatures regularly dip below freezing for more than a few days. If the answer is “yes” then your birds do need extra winter protection. How much protection they will need depends on how cold your area gets. Also certain birds need more protection, these will be covered later.

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Mildly Cold Areas

In mildly cold areas, where temperatures get below freezing but not for long periods of time birds need moderate protection. Of course they need a shelter which should be dry and draft proof. There should be a door which can be shut at night or on cold, windy, days. This coop does not need to be insulated or heated, but the birds should have a fresh water source and as such may need their water checked against freezing or can have a heated water container. A south facing (or north facing in the southern hemisphere) window can add light and heat on a sunny day. The birds should be fed extra as well.

Very Cold Areas

In very cold areas the shelter should have electricity, but need not be heated. Instead the electricity should be used for an incandescent light bulb. This bulb will provide light, and more importantly, heat. A 40watt bulb is fine for a smaller coop, in larger coops you may want to use more than one light. If on a timer it will increase the length of time they will lay eggs into the winter (when egg production goes down). Just remember to let the birds roost before turning the lights off or they may remain on the cold ground. A south facing (or north facing in the southern hemisphere) window will add light and warmth on a sunny day. The birds should be fed extra corn or scratch. A heated waterer is a good idea.

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Special Birds

Some breeds of chickens have feathers that do not provide natural insulation. The Silkie chicken with its fluffy feathers is one that needs extra winter protection. Birds who are moulting need to be kept safe from harsh winter weather. Roosters with large combs risk the combs freezing. You can apply Vaseline to their combs if expecting extremely cold weather. Chicks, birds under four months, naturally are more at risk from cold weather and they should have a heat lamp.

Other Tips

• If you only have one bird it will have a harder time keeping warm. Having at least two or three birds is not only good for their mental health, but will keep them warmer.
• If you get snow be sure to shovel, or make paths for them, so they do not have to walk in deep snow.
• Use extra bedding, especially if your birds are on dirt or cement floors.
• Check to make sure your feed is superior in the winter, especially as birds cannot find bugs like they can in the summer when free ranging.
• Chickens should be checked at least once or twice daily in the winter.
• Bantam Chickens,being smaller, will have a harder time staying warm.

Other Links

Chickens as Pets

What Breeds of Chickens are Best for Pets

Bantam Chickens