Skip to Content

How To Keep Chickens Warm In Winter

Knowing how to keep chickens warm in winter is an important part of knowing how to take care of chickens.

If you’re like me, when the chilly winter months come around, all I want to do is get comfy and cozy inside with a hot cup of cocoa. But there’s one important creature in my life that still needs a bit of extra attention during the harsh winter season – my chickens!

Whether you have an informal chicken coop setup in your backyard or maintain a larger homestead farm, it’s essential to make sure your feathered friends are taken care of in the cold weather.

Read also – When Do Chickens Get Their Feathers?

Keeping your chickens warm throughout the winter doesn’t have to be complicated..if you follow these tips, your feathered friends will stay nice and cozy!

This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

Easy Ideas For Keeping Chickens Warm In Winter Months

When winter weather arrives, it’s important to take steps to keep your chickens warm. Preventing chickens from getting too cold can help them stay healthy and productive.

Many owners of backyard chicken flocks opt to heating their chicken coops.

While this might work for some people, as a general whole, it is not recommended to heat chicken coops with external sources. Introducing heat, such as with heat lamps or an electric heater, to the chicken coop also introduces a potential fire hazard.

Additionally, heating your chicken coop will prevent your birds from acclimating to the cold which means if the heat source ever goes out for some reason, your birds will not be prepared to deal with the cold.

The good news is you don’t have to provide your birds with a heated chicken coop in order to prepare them for the cold winter months. Instead of heating your chicken coop, focus on keeping it well insulated. Adding adequate insulation will help keep the heat in and reduce drafts while still allowing air flow.

Another thing you can do is make sure the coop is well-ventilated. Chickens need plenty of fresh air, and if the coop is too hot or too cold, they will be uncomfortable and may not lay eggs.

The Intermediate Guide to Raising Chickens: How to Expand and Maintain a Happy Backyard Flock (Raising Chickens Guide)The Intermediate Guide to Raising Chickens: How to Expand and Maintain a Happy Backyard Flock (Raising Chickens Guide)Raising Chickens for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Breeds, Housing, Facilities, Feeding, Health Care, Breeding, Eggs, and MeatRaising Chickens for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Breeds, Housing, Facilities, Feeding, Health Care, Breeding, Eggs, and MeatThe Homesteader's Natural Chicken Keeping Handbook: Raising a Healthy Flock from Start to FinishThe Homesteader's Natural Chicken Keeping Handbook: Raising a Healthy Flock from Start to FinishBuilding Chicken Coops For DummiesBuilding Chicken Coops For Dummies

 

You can also give your chickens some extra food in the winter. They will need more calories to keep warm, so providing them with a supplemental feeder can help. And finally, make sure your chickens have plenty of water. Dehydration can be a big problem in the winter, so make sure they always have access to fresh water.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:  What's The Difference Between Pasture Raised and Free Range Chickens?

Top Resources For Keeping Chickens Warm In The Winter

In addition to the tips and ideas included in this article (below), there are also plenty of other articles written by Secret Life of Homesteaders that share expert insights into keeping chickens warm in winter months.

Here are our top resources:

Be sure to check out all our articles so you and your backyard birds will be properly prepared for that cold winter weather!

How Do You Keep Chickens Warm In The Winter Without Electricity?

Keeping chickens warm in the winter without using electricity may take some extra effort, but is do-able! You can achieve this in several ways, such as avoiding extreme cold temperatures, providing extra bedding and feeding them appropriate foods.

Make sure your coop is well insulated from entering rain and wind chill temperatures by adding an extra layer of wooden planks or plastic sheets on the walls.

It’s also a good idea to increase their bedding, like straw or hay, when the chill gets more severe to keep their bodies warm.

Providing easily digestible calories with added fat can help them stay warm too – choices like oatmeal, whole wheat crackers or cooked root veggies are ideal. So don’t worry – you can keep your hens happy year round!

Keep reading to get our top tips for keeping chickens warm in winter without adding external heat sources.

#1 – Keep The Chicken Coop Leak Free And Draft Free

When it comes to keeping your chickens safe and comfortable, having a leak free and draft free chicken coop is essential.

A coop that is well sealed will keep out predators, bad weather, and pests, while a draft free coop will keep your chickens warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Here are a few tips for creating a leak free and draft free chicken coop:

The first step is to make sure your coop is well sealed. Check for any cracks or holes in the roof, walls, or floor, and seal them up with caulk or weatherstripping. Make sure the door to the coop is also well sealed, and that the hinges and latch are in good condition.

Behrens 6 Gallon Rust-Proof Steel Locking Lid Trash Can(6 gal) Made in USABehrens 6 Gallon Rust-Proof Steel Locking Lid Trash Can(6 gal) Made in USA(2 Pack) Encased Trash Can Lock, Bungee Cord Heavy Duty Large Outdoor Garbage Lid Lock (Trash Can NOT Included)(2 Pack) Encased Trash Can Lock, Bungee Cord Heavy Duty Large Outdoor Garbage Lid Lock (Trash Can NOT Included)BINO | Round Step Trash Can, 5 Liter / 1.3 Gallon - Galvanized Steel | Stainless Steel Bathroom Trash Can | Small Trash Can with Lid | Office Trash Can | Small Garbage Can with Lid |Metal WastebasketBINO | Round Step Trash Can, 5 Liter / 1.3 Gallon - Galvanized Steel | Stainless Steel Bathroom Trash Can | Small Trash Can with Lid | Office Trash Can | Small Garbage Can with Lid |Metal WastebasketVEVOR Galvanized Poultry Feeder Holds 50lbs of Feed Chicken Feeders No Waste 13.8x11x25.6in Hanging Chicken Feeder with Lid Weatherproof Outdoor Coop Food Dispenser Tilted lidVEVOR Galvanized Poultry Feeder Holds 50lbs of Feed Chicken Feeders No Waste 13.8x11x25.6in Hanging Chicken Feeder with Lid Weatherproof Outdoor Coop Food Dispenser Tilted lidRentACoop 65lb Capacity 6-Port All Weather Metal Poultry FeederRentACoop 65lb Capacity 6-Port All Weather Metal Poultry FeederStainless Steel Ice Scoop 12oz, 11 Inch Medium Metal Food Scoops for Kitchen Party Bar Wedding, Durable & Heavy Duty, Dishwasher Safe. by ALStainless Steel Ice Scoop 12oz, 11 Inch Medium Metal Food Scoops for Kitchen Party Bar Wedding, Durable & Heavy Duty, Dishwasher Safe. by AL

 

The next step is to make sure your coop is well insulated. If your coop isn’t already insulated, you can add insulation with batting, foam board, or straw.

Surround your coop with straw bales and throw some extra straw bedding on the ground before the winter temperatures and cold nights hit.

You could also collect and throw in some pine needles or old dead leaves to insulate the cold ground. This will help your chickens retain heat and keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:  Why Are My Chickens Laying Eggs With Brown Yolks?

Finally, you need to make sure there is no air infiltration into the coop. You can do this by sealing up any cracks or openings around doors and windows with caulk or weatherstripping.

The trick is doing this while still allowing airflow and ventilation, which will be important in the summer months.

You can solve this by installing windows or air vents near the top of the coop that can be opened and closed depending on the weather. You can also install ventilation fans to help circulate air inside the coop.

Good ventilation will keep things from getting stale and stinky without allowing the wind chill to injure your backyard chickens during those cold months.

#2 – Utilize The Deep Litter Method Inside The Chicken Coop

The deep litter method is a great way to keep your chicken coop clean and healthy. The basic idea is to add a thick layer of organic material to the coop floor, which will break down over time and act as a natural fertilizer.

This method also helps to regulate the temperature in the coop, and can help to reduce odors.

In order to utilize the deep litter method, you will need to add a layer of organic material about six inches thick to the coop floor. Some good options include straw, hay, leaves, or wood shavings. Be sure to stir up the litter every few weeks to help it break down evenly.

The deep litter method is a great way to keep your chicken coop clean and healthy. It is also a fantastic method for keeping chickens warm without an external heat source.

The deep litter method helps to regulate the temperature, breaks down into natural fertilizer, and can help to reduce odors.

To utilize this method, add a layer of organic material six inches thick to the coop floor. Stir up the litter every few weeks and be sure to keep adding more organic material!

#3 – Take Advantage Of Body Heat

Having enough birds in your flock can help keep chickens warm in the winter. Chickens generate heat from their bodies, and by huddling together, they can keep warm. Give your backyard chickens an advantage by allowing them to utilize and enjoy their own heat.

If you have too few birds, the chickens will be colder and more susceptible to illness. The whole flock will benefit when the flock numbers are properly balanced.

Adding extra birds to your flock in the winter can help keep everyone healthy and warm.

#4 – Feed Extra High-Calorie Treats

When the days get shorter and the temperature starts to drop, it’s important to make sure your chickens have enough high calorie food to help them stay warm.

High calorie food is important because it causes your chickens burn extra energy in order to digest it. This naturally raises your backyard birds’ body temps while also keeping them fed and happy!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:  Homemade Fly Spray To Keep Your Chicken Coop Pest-Free Naturally

Behrens 6 Gallon Rust-Proof Steel Locking Lid Trash Can(6 gal) Made in USABehrens 6 Gallon Rust-Proof Steel Locking Lid Trash Can(6 gal) Made in USASoft White Wheat Berries | Family Farmed in Washington State | 100% Desiccant Free | 25 lbs Bulk | Sproutable | Non-GMO Project Verified | Kosher | Poly BagSoft White Wheat Berries | Family Farmed in Washington State | 100% Desiccant Free | 25 lbs Bulk | Sproutable | Non-GMO Project Verified | Kosher | Poly BagBulk Organic Black Beans | Findlay's Organics | Michigan Grown | Family OwnedBulk Organic Black Beans | Findlay's Organics | Michigan Grown | Family OwnedQuick Rolled Oats (25 Pound Bag) Non-GMO by Grain MillersQuick Rolled Oats (25 Pound Bag) Non-GMO by Grain MillersLundberg Family Farms - Organic California White Basmati Rice, Pleasant Aroma, Fluffy Texture, Won't Clump When Cooked, Bulk Rice, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, USDA Certified Organic, Vegan, Kosher (25 lb)Lundberg Family Farms - Organic California White Basmati Rice, Pleasant Aroma, Fluffy Texture, Won't Clump When Cooked, Bulk Rice, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, USDA Certified Organic, Vegan, Kosher (25 lb)

 

One way to do this is to provide them with plenty of food like nuts, seeds, corn, and other grains. Chicken keepers can also buy a bag of scratch grains or cracked corn at the local feed store and feed them a bit of that.

Additionally, you can give them warmed up mash or porridge made from high calorie grains like oats or barley. And don’t forget about treats like suet or fat balls, which are full of calories and nutrients that help keep chickens healthy during the winter.

Read Also – Simple Homemade Chicken Feed Recipes

By keeping your chickens well-fed and comfortable, you’ll help ensure they stay healthy and productive all winter long.

#5 – Opt For Cold Hardy Breeds

If you live in a cold climate, you are going to want to opt for cold hardy breeds. Not all chicken breeds can handle cold winters so if you live in a cold climate, it’s important to only introduce cold hardy breeds to your backyard flock.

One of our favorite cold hardy chicken breeds is the Orpington. However, there are plenty of cold hardy chicken breeds out there. The main rule of thumb is comb size – lean towards birds that have smaller pea or rose-shaped combs as opposed to large combs. This will help your birds more easily retain body heat.

Some Popular Cold Hardy Chicken Breeds

  1. Orpington (Buff Orpington, Lavender Orpington, etc)
  2. Chantecler
  3. Plymouth Rock
  4. Rhode Island Red
  5. Buckeye
  6. Dominique
  7. Welsummer
  8. Easter Egger
  9. Faverolle
  10. Jersey Giant
  11. Wyandotte
  12. Ameraucana
  13. Barnevelder
  14. Australorp
  15. Delawares
  16. New Hampshire Red
  17. Langshan
  18. Sussex
  19. Marans
  20. Cochin
  21. Brahma

If you’re looking at raising chickens who can withstand cold climates, these birds won’t steer your wrong!

Now that we’ve gone over some tips to help you keep your chickens warm this winter, I hope you feel more prepared to take on the cold weather.

If you have any other questions or need more advice, be sure to join our email list. We would love to hear from you and see how you’re keeping your chickens warm this winter!

Website | + posts

Charlene has been dabbling in and learning about the homesteading lifestyle for almost 20 years. She recently started a real-world homestead with her extended family and is excited to share 20+ years of knowledge and experience with the world!

While she certainly doesn't know everything about homesteading and is learning more every day, she is excited to learn and grow along with YOU!

Charlene blogs about about homesteading at https://secretlifeofhomesteaders.com/.

Share the wisdom!