In cold climates chicken-keeping can be concerning. Frostbite, sickness and even death can result if your coop is not prepared for winter. Here's how to keep your chickens safe and warm throughout the winter months.
Winters can be unpredictable, depending on your climate, but also depending on the year. We live in zone 5 which means that it can get into the negative numbers during a few of our winter months. We've had some trial and error during our harshest winters and have learned a lot about what works, what doesn't, and what we can do preventively.
One of the top questions I receive is "should I heat my coop"? The answer is: probably not. I always suggest that you try these simple ideas first and if that just doesn't provide enough warmth for your flock, then you can possibly look into a wall-mounted flat panel heater.
We have one for our coop because our coop is too large for the flock that we typically have but even so, we've used it less than 5 times in 15 years. Only when the temperatures dip into the negatives and only to keep the coop above zero degrees. The fact is that providing heat is rarely ever necessary, even in the coldest of climates.
Chickens are fairly resilient and adaptable. While there are some breeds known for being cold hardy you can keep all breeds comfortable in winter by taking a few extra precautions.
How To Keep Chickens Warm In Winter:
- Minimize Drafts - cover or repair any gaps and holes in the coop itself as well as around windows. This will prevent the temperature from dropping too low and too quickly as well as eliminate the potential of wind chill inside of the coop. Pay particular attention to their roosting area. You want to provide a space without drafts for them to sleep.
- Provide Good Ventilation - ventilation is extremely important in all four seasons but is sometimes overlooked in winter. While you don't want any large holes or gaps that provide chilly air directly on the flock, your coop always requires good air flow. This will keep your flock healthy, reduce humidity (there should be no moisture build-up on the windows inside), prevent mold growth, and allow for a reduction in ammonia levels from their litter. A small opening at two ends of the coop (opposite walls) at the roof peak is ideal. Line these openings with wire hardware cloth, to keep unwanted visitors out, and create a door that fits it to open and close over the opening as needed to adjust the amount of air flow.
- Insulation - obviously best thought of before you build the coop, but adding insulation to the walls, floor and/or ceiling will help prevent drafts. If you are able to insulate, make sure you also add very good ventilation as the insulated coop may hold in too much humidity at times.
- Location - if you have a moveable coop or haven't built one yet, location can be key. Finding a space where they are protected from the wind and have access to the winter sun would be ideal.
- Coop Size - right-sizing your coop can be helpful. The smaller the space the easier it is for the flock to heat with their own body heat. If you have a larger coop, you may be able to close part of it off during the coldest of months with plywood or something similar.
- Dry Litter - keeping their litter dry will help reduce the moisture and ammonia levels in the coop. If it gets noticeably wet, it should be changed out right away with fresh, dry litter.
- Proper Roosting - because heat rises, keeping the roosts higher up will take advantage of the natural body heat. Also, providing roosts where they can sleep flat-footed, like a 2x4 plank is ideal because this allows them to nestle down and cover their feet with their feathers.
More Tips For Chicken-Keeping:
Taking these precautions, as well as providing extra feed and thawed water will help your flock stay healthy and happy despite the plummeting temperatures the season may bring.
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