All Cooped Up: Caring for Your Chickens in Winter Weather

Don’t let your fowl friends down in foul weather! The harsh temperatures can be tough on all of us, and chickens are no exception. Your flock relies on you to keep them warm, healthy, and entertained – no matter what the thermometer says on the outside of your coop.

The Cheshire Horse has what you need to properly care for your flock. Check our tips and top product picks to help your chickens beat the winter blues.

Warm and Toasty

To keep your chickens healthy and safe in frigid temperatures, it is generally suggested that you do not heat or heavily insulate your coop. This may be difficult to fathom, but oftentimes heating your coop does more harm than good for the health of your chickens. That’s not to say, however, that you shouldn’t provide some sort of safe heat source. Check out the K&H Thermo Chicken Heated Perch and the K&H Pet Thermo-Chicken Heated Pad, which allow your chickens the option of seeking out heat when they feeling chilled to the bone. These simple products can even help to prevent frostbite. You may find that some of your chickens actively seek out these heat sources, while others ignore them… they are individuals after all!

It may be tempting to seal your chickens up tightly in the coop, but ventilation is essential. In order to keep your feathered friends healthy, moisture and ammonia gases must be vented from your flock’s environment. Moisture can collect on the combs of the birds and cause frostbite, if their coops aren’t properly vented.

Boredom Busters

Even for those who have runs available, many chickens would prefer to spend chilly days in their coop. If your chickens are going stir crazy in this weather, let’s give them something to do!

For food motivated chickens, the Purina Flock Block encourages natural pecking and foraging instincts – while also supplementing their diet with whole grains, oyster shell, and grit.The extra fat will also help them to generate more body heat to keep warm. It’s a well-rounded additive to their diet that also provides some excitement during the doldrums of winter.

If you have active chickens, The Cheshire Horse can help you to get them moving. Get them (and yourself) some entertainment with a few Chicken Swings. This is more than a perch; it lets your chickens get in touch with their playful side.

For chickens that need a bit more encouragement to hit the ground running, take them out for a stroll with the Chicken Walking Harness. By giving your chickens the chance to explore their surroundings, you are expanding their world and giving them mental stimulation.

Drink Up

Just like any animal, access to clean, fresh water is essential to chickens. This can be a bit of a challenge in the winter months, so many chicken keepers opt for Heated Poultry Fountain. Try adding in a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar, which not only encourages increased water consumption, but also has been claimed to have additional health benefits for your flock.

We all know how much fun it can be raising chickens. Together, we can ensure that your chickens stay healthy and warm throughout the winter months. Cozy chickens are happy chickens!

Leave a Comment