How to Keep Chickens Healthy in Winter

For any animal living outdoors, winter is likely to be the most challenging time of year, and your chickens are no exception. The days are shorter, there aren’t as many bugs and plants to peck at, and the people they enjoy following around the garden tend to spend less time outside because of the cold weather.

But don’t worry, you can help your feathered friends stay happy, healthy and entertained by stepping in with creative solutions. When your chickens get bored, they might start pecking at their friends or even eating feathers and eggs. That’s why it’s so important for you to ensure that your flock has plenty of stimulation and fun in their run until warmer weather and longer days return.

Weatherproof chicken coops keep hens warm and dry

The most important thing to get right for your chickens in winter is their environment, starting with the coop. Wooden chicken coops absorb moisture and without regular maintenance and repairs, can become draughty, damp and rotten quickly in winter. When paired with poor ventilation and insulation, hens are vulnerable to frostbite and respiratory problems. 

Before winter sets in, take the time to complete repairs and winterproofing on your wooden coop, or upgrade to something much more suited to cold temperatures, like an Omlet Eglu plastic chicken coop. Here’s why you and your hens will love an Eglu in winter: 

• Waterproof panels – keep out rain and snow, don’t absorb moisture and keep hens dry
• Twin-wall insulation – works like a coffee flask to retain your hens’ body heat inside the coop
• Purposeful ventilation – engineered to keep air inside the coop fresh without drafts, preventing moisture build up and respirator issues
• Quick to clean in 5 minutes – makes it easy for you to maintain optimal hygiene for your hens, even in winter

Chicken perches provide winter entertainment

Enrich your hens’ environment for winter with perches. Perching is not only relaxing but also a stimulating activity for chickens. By offering perches at different heights in the run, you provide your feathered friends with exciting opportunities to relax and explore. Perches also enable chickens to step up off the cold icy ground.

This Chicken Perch, available in 1 or 2m lengths, can be easily installed anywhere on any chicken run. You can add as many perches as you like to keep your chickens engaged. Just make sure there is enough space for everyone to perch comfortably, and adjust the perch height to suit the age and abilities of your hens.

Chicken runs offer more room to roam

Sometimes a little extra space goes a long way. By giving your chickens a larger area to move around in, you encourage them to exercise and explore more. If you’re unable to let your flock free range, providing them with a bigger run is essential. The Omlet Walk In Chicken Run can be tailored to the space you have, and keeps your hens safe from predators while offering ample room to roam. Be sure to wrap your run with clear chicken run covers for winter to protect your hens from wind, rain and snow, while still letting sunlight in.

If you already have an Omlet Walk In Chicken Run, remember that you can always extend it with easy-to-add panels. Use the handy extension configurator to explore how to expand your run even further.

Straw and hay bales provide a fun challenge

Have you ever noticed how your hens go wild when they encounter a pile of leaves? They absolutely love demolishing anything they can get their beaks on, always on the lookout for tasty bugs and seeds. Place an appropriately sized bale in the run, and you’ll see your chickens immediately jump on top of it, eagerly pecking away and enjoying the challenge.

Chicken toys offer enrichment

Just like with dogs and small children, the right toys can keep your hens happily occupied for hours. Chicken Peck Toys are designed to release treats slowly, scattering goodies, corn, or grit as your chickens peck them. Omlet’s Poppy Peck Toy is pressed into the ground and shakes corn free with each peck, whereas the Pendant can be hung from the run or another structure, adding fun dynamic movement.

Consider giving your flock a couple of peck toys to ensure that every member gets a chance to play and have fun, this way you minimize the risk of only the dominant chickens enjoying all the treats.

Extra feed gives your chickens energy to keep warm

Chickens need to eat up to 50% more feed a day in winter as they burn more calories to maintain their core body temperature in cold weather. While it’s important to keep your chickens’ diet balanced, you can also give them some extra high-protein treats too. Occasionally offering seasonal fruits or veggies not only helps keep your hens warm but also engages their minds and bodies with a tasty challenge. You can use dispensers like Omlet’s Caddi Chicken Treat Holder to serve these delicacies and keep the run floor clean.

An insulated drinker will prevent freezing in cold temperatures

Keep a close eye on your chickens’ water during winter as freezing temperatures can quickly turn it to ice. If you’re fed up of repeatedly having to break the ice in your chicken’s water, consider an insulated chicken drinker. The Omlet nipple drinker is engineered for extreme temperatures, with thick insulated walls to stop the freezing temperatures outside from reducing the water temperature inside so your flock always has fresh flowing water to drink. 

Omlet and your flock

Keeping your chickens happy and healthy this winter is a breeze with a little extra care and the right Omlet essentials. Simple steps can make a big difference – helping your flock stay warm, active, and full of life, no matter how chilly it gets outside. With the right weatherproof chicken coop, an insulated chicken drinker, and fun toys and perches designed just for your hens, you can relax knowing your chickens are safe, comfortable, and ready to enjoy winter. 

This entry was posted in Chickens

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