Now that we have reached the cold winter months many may wonder how or what they need to do to keep their feathered friends warm and in good health. Here are a few insights and guidelines to help you support your flock from June through to August.

Winter is not all that bad.

As the day light hours start to decrease from autumn on, they signal to a laying hen that it is time to reduce or even cease egg production, and to shed feathers that need replacing, most commonly around their tail or neck. Winter is therefore a period that allows your hens to have a rest and rejuvenate for the next laying season.

Chickens have evolved ways to keep warm.

Feathers are by far the best asset to the bird during winter.  They are great insulators and they also contain an oily fat coating which acts as a waterproofing layer. Chickens are able to puff out their feathers to trap air which is then heated by their body to provide a layer that buffers them from the colder outside temperatures.  However in the weeks following their annual moult this ability is compromised so it is important that we step in to help them out.

Home sweet home.

Chickens need somewhere safe and warm that they can escape to from the cold, rain, or strong winds all of which are much more prevalent during the winter months. In fact don’t be surprised if you go to let your chickens out to free range on bad weather days if they choose to stay within the coop itself.  

Because a chicken can get sick and go downhill very quickly if it’s body temperature is not maintained, it is critical that their coop is dry, clean and free of draughts but still well ventilated to reduce ammonia build up. Check the coop weekly to ensure that leaks or draughts have not developed, and if detected address them straight away.

Other important housekeeping to do over the winter months is to ensure that the bedding in the co-op and nesting boxes is fresh and replaced regularly. Fresh bedding is a great insulator and will also help keep away mites and other parasites who in turn are looking for a warm haven over winter.

Roosts

If you haven’t done so already, build your chickens roosts within their coops. Roosts provide another natural way to keep your chickens warm, by getting them away from the ground where colder and moist air will accumulate.

Feed them well

While chickens may not be laying during winter, they still have a need for a nutritious feed. Replacing feathers lost, maintaining and building condition for the laying season ahead and maintaining their core body temperature requires energy, protein and other nutrients. Protein is the key building block for the majority of bodily functions and structures – for example, feathers typically contain 80-85% protein (Keratin). Therefore it makes sense to increase the protein offered to your birds during the winter months This can be achieved by moving them onto a high protein commercial ration or by supplementing their diet with higher protein treats.

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