Chicken Care in Winter: Things to Avoid

Winter brings unique challenges for chicken keeping, and avoiding common pitfalls can help keep your flock healthy and thriving. In this guide, you’ll discover 10 things to avoid as a winter chicken keeper, empowering you to navigate the season with confidence and care in your backyard. From managing coop conditions to understanding your hens’ needs, these insights will ensure you’re well-prepared for the chilly months ahead.

What to avoid this winter

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing the right things to do when caring for your chickens. Preparing your flock for winter is essential, but there are some common mistakes that you might overlook or misunderstand about winter chicken-keeping. Here’s what not to do this season:

Don’t coop your chickens up

Your chickens are built to be outdoors, and they’re naturally resilient against cold temperatures. In fact, a hen’s internal temperature is around 41°C, making it easier for them to handle the cold than the heat. Beneath that shiny plumage, dense downy feathers, courtesy of your flock’s annual moult in the autumn, provide excellent insulation.

It might be tempting to keep your chickens fully enclosed in their coop, but they can easily become bored and stressed. Instead of locking them up all day, open their coop door once the sun has been up for a few hours to warm up their environment. Or, program your Smart Autodoor to open at a set time. Invest in chicken run covers to prevent snow and ice build-up, and provide plenty of chicken perches to help keep their feet off the frozen ground. With these measures, your flock will thrive even outside of their coop.

Don’t make their coop airtight

One common mistake is trying to seal your chicken coop completely. Your flock needs fresh air circulating to prevent moisture build-up and respiratory issues. Insulated chicken coops are designed to keep harsh elements out while still allowing enough airflow.

While drafts can be a concern in the winter, a well-ventilated coop won’t let in dangerous cold drafts. Even with extreme temperature chicken coop jackets, Omlet’s Eglu Chicken Coops provide just the right amount of fresh air without letting in harmful drafts.

Don’t offer supplemental heat

Your chickens are hardy creatures, and they adapt naturally to falling temperatures. If you heat their coop, they miss out on the process of acclimating to the cold and might be shocked, quite literally, when they step out into freezing weather. This sudden shock can even be fatal to your flock.

Heat sources also present a fire hazard for your chickens, so they should only be used with close supervision. While brooder plates, heat lamps, or heating pads can be helpful for sick birds or young chicks, they should only be used in dire situations for healthy hens. Instead, add extra insulating bedding like straw or hay to nesting boxes and roosting areas to provide warm comfort without the risk of electric heat sources.

Don’t leave eggs in the coop

It’s easy to remember egg collection in the warm days of summer, but when temperatures dip below freezing, you need to gather eggs quickly. Some breeds’ egg production can be affected by the colder weather, but for those that continue to lay, their eggs shouldn’t be left in the coop for more than a couple of hours if it’s freezing outside. A frozen egg might not be spoiled initially, but as the contents expand, they can crack the shell. Once that shell is compromised, bacteria can sneak in, rendering the egg inedible.

Make it a habit to check for and collect eggs each time you visit the coop. This proactive approach works well in any season, but especially when facing the challenges of extreme temperatures.

Don’t forget their water

When winter arrives, keeping your chickens’ water from freezing becomes a daily challenge. Standard chicken drinkers can quickly turn into ice blocks, so it’s important to check and break up any ice several times a day to ensure your flock always has access to fresh water. Pouring warm water over frozen waterers can help thaw them, and using electric bird bath or submersible heaters designed for poultry waterers is another effective option, just make sure to keep cords and components safely out of reach of curious beaks.

You can also try placing a floating object, such as a tennis ball, in the waterer. The gentle movement helps prevent solid ice from forming, though its effectiveness can depend on factors like wind and the size of the object.

For an even easier solution, consider using an insulated drinker like the Omlet Insulated Stay Clean Chicken Drinker. Its double-walled design helps keep water from freezing, reducing the need for constant checks and refills. This can be a real time-saver during those extra chilly days.

Don’t put off cleaning the coop

Before the cold weather truly sets in, give your chicken coop a deep clean. This allows you to use a pressure washer one last time before ice becomes a problem. Refresh the bedding with thick, warm materials like shavings or straw, and double-check that run covers are secure and adjusted.

When it’s too cold to use water, you can maintain cleanliness with a rag or a stiff brush. Be sure to empty droppings trays regularly and brush off any debris from roosting and nesting areas. Keeping the coop clean, ensuring proper ventilation, and monitoring humidity levels promotes good respiratory health for your chickens all winter long.

Don’t limit their fun

Your chickens might wander less far from their coop during the winter, especially as insects and vegetation become scarce, which can affect certain breeds more than others. Snow and ice can sometimes dampen their enthusiasm. To keep boredom at bay, make sure your flock has plenty of engaging activities to enjoy.

Incorporate chicken perches, peck toys, treat holders, or even a Chicken Swing in their run or free-ranging space. These fun additions can transform dreary winter days into delightful moments that cheer both your heart and your hens’.

Don’t go easy on the feed

During the winter months, different chicken breeds may require varying amounts of energy to maintain body heat, so they tend to get hungrier, requiring more chicken feed than usual. With their increased appetite, you’ll likely find yourself refilling their chicken feeders more frequently.

Treat your flock to extra nutrition during these colder times. Consider adding dried mealworms or soldier fly larvae to their scratch grains or offering alfalfa hay to satisfy their cravings and keep them energized.

For added convenience and peace of mind, the Omlet Smart No Waste Chicken Feeder can be a game-changer during winter. This innovative feeder notifies you when your feed is low, helping you keep up with your flock’s increased appetite without you having to constantly check the feeder itself. Its weather-resistant design also ensures feed stays dry and fresh, even in snowy or damp conditions, so your chickens always have access to the nutrition they need.

Don’t forget combs and wattles

Frostbite can affect any chicken breed, but hens with larger combs and wattles are especially vulnerable. Keep an eye out for signs of frostbite such as:

A pale or white appearance
Black spots or sections
Misshapen edges

A little petroleum jelly applied to these areas can help prevent frostbite in chickens. While frostbite isn’t typically deadly, it is uncomfortable, and once areas are discoloured, they might fall off, leaving your hens with misshapen combs or wattles.

Don’t forget chicken self-care

Sunbathing and chicken dust baths are all part of your hens’ daily pleasures during warmer months. They’ll continue to appreciate these activities in winter as well. Dust baths help keep their feathers in good condition, ensuring they stay warm, comfortable, and free from excess water.

Having clear run covers that allow the gentle warmth of the sun to filter through can create cozy spots for your flock, making those winter days feel a little bit brighter.

Omlet and your flock

Prepare your flock for winter with our thoughtfully designed products, created with you and your hens in mind. Our chicken coops, run covers, and smart automatic chicken coop doors make winter chicken-keeping a breeze rather than a freezing ordeal. This winter, work smarter, not harder, by choosing Omlet’s chicken products to support you and your flock throughout the season.