Keeping chickens warm in winter is essential to ensuring they stay healthy and happy throughout the colder months. With a few simple tips and proper coop preparation, your flock can thrive even when temperatures drop.
Caring for chickens during the cold months can be a concern for many chicken keepers, but rest assured, these hardy birds are well-equipped for winter. Their feathers act as a natural down jacket, keeping them warm even on the chilliest days.
While your backyard chickens might not be eager to frolic in the snow and may not be fans of cold weather, they can handle it with grace. They can easily withstand temperatures that dip into the teens, especially if they have a dry, winterized coop to call home.
Though chickens are naturally resilient, there are a few ways to ensure they stay happy, healthy, and warm all winter long. Let’s explore some tips to keep your flock cozy this season!
What Temperature is Too Cold for Chickens?
The cold tolerance of chickens varies depending on their age, breed, and overall condition. While some advice suggests supplemental heat below freezing, I’ve found that it’s often unnecessary and can even be dangerous.
Heat lamps, in particular, pose a significant fire hazard and aren’t worth the risk. For most chickens, especially those that are healthy and cold-hardy, additional heat isn’t needed. However, if you have young or molting chickens, or a breed that isn’t as winter-tough, you may need to take extra precautions.
Even then, I don’t recommend using heat lamps or other artificial heat sources. Not only do they increase the risk of fire, but if the power goes out, your chickens might not be able to acclimate to the sudden temperature drop.
Tips for Keeping Chickens Warm in Winter
Keeping your chickens warm during winter involves a few key practices: properly winterizing the coop, reducing moisture, and preventing frostbite. Here’s how you can help your flock thrive during the cold months.
Prevent Drafts
Drafty coops are common, especially after a few years of use, but those cold drafts can cause heat loss in your flock. Keeping drafts out will help your chickens stay warm.
You can patch up holes with plywood, or use materials like tarps, Tyvek, clear plastic sheeting, or even feed bags to cover gaps. However, don’t block all ventilation—they need airflow, which we’ll discuss next. Ventilation should be up high, where it won’t blow directly on the birds.
Keep the Coop Well Ventilated
Proper ventilation is crucial for keeping your chickens comfortable and healthy. Good airflow reduces ammonia build-up and moisture, both of which can lead to frostbite and respiratory issues.
Not only does it create moisture, but that ammonia buildup decreases air quality and makes your flock more susceptible to respiratory problems and infections. Neither of these are things we want.
Ensure your coop has screened vents above where the chickens roost to maintain low humidity and prevent the accumulation of harmful gases.
Provide Roosting Space
Chickens don’t like sleeping on the floor, especially in winter. The cold ground isn’t ideal, and heat rises! Chickens are warm creatures, with body temperatures between 105-109°F. They fluff up their feathers and huddle together to stay warm.
Make sure your chickens have plenty of space to roost, at least a couple of feet off the ground. Use wide boards, like 2x4s, for roosting bars, as they allow chickens to keep their feet flat, protecting them from frostbite.
Provide Adequate Bedding
A thick layer of bedding, whether it’s wood shavings, hemp, or straw, will help keep the coop warm. Some people use the “deep litter” method, which can work well if properly managed. However, if not monitored closely, it can increase humidity inside the coop, so stay on top of it.
Insulate the Coop
To further insulate the coop, you can add straw bales against the walls, either inside or outside. This extra layer of insulation will help retain the heat your chickens naturally generate, keeping them cozier during the cold months.
Give Them a Sunroom
Chickens need fresh air and sunlight, even in winter. A protected outdoor space, like a winterized chicken run, allows them to get the sunlight they need. You can cover the fencing with clear plastic to create a greenhouse effect, giving them a warm, sheltered area to enjoy.
Keep Water and Feed Outside of the Coop
Water should always be kept outside the coop. Keeping it inside adds unwanted moisture, which can lead to frostbite. Place the feed and water in a covered area just outside the coop, where it’s protected from the elements.
Coat Large Wattles and Combs
For chickens with large combs and wattles, applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly, tallow balm, or coconut oil on especially cold days can help prevent frostbite. This is particularly important for roosters with large combs.
Supplement Their Diet with Warm Treats
Chickens eat more in winter to stay warm, so offering them some warm, chicken-friendly treats can help. Some good options include sprouted grains, dried mealworms, black oil sunflower seeds, winter squash, warm oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and organic cracked corn.
Give these treats in moderation, either before they roost for the night or in the morning, to help keep them warm.
Keep Their Water Thawed
Keeping water outside helps reduce moisture in the coop. We’ve found that using black, rubber buckets works well, as the dark color absorbs heat, and the rubber makes it easy to break up any ice. You can also use a stock tank de-icer to keep the water from freezing on extremely cold days. in the winter to water our chickens as well as our ducks.
These tips should help you keep your flock warm, healthy, and happy all winter long. Remember, with a little care and preparation, your chickens will thrive, even in the coldest weather!
I hope these tips help keep your chickens cozy this winter! If you have any questions or additional tips, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Be sure to follow along on Pinterest and Facebook for more homesteading advice and inspiration!
What to Check Out Next:
Cindy
Friday 1st of October 2021
What about eggs? If coop doesn't have any heat, don't the eggs freeze? We are in Ontaruo Canada.
Danielle McCoy
Monday 4th of October 2021
They sure can. https://www.therusticelk.com/prevent-frozen-chicken-eggs/
Fay Smith
Thursday 19th of March 2020
Our old chicken coop is being remodeled...should we insulate walls and ceiling? We live in northern Wyoming
Danielle McCoy
Friday 20th of March 2020
I wouldn't. We don't get quite as cold as you, but we have some pretty bitter temps here in Northern Indiana sometimes, especially in recent years. I would use straw around the edges in the winter to prevent drafts, but I wouldn't insulate all over.
Bethany
Monday 20th of January 2020
Many people don't realize that chickens have a higher internal temperature than humans. They naturally run around 104-105 degrees F, so they can tolerate lower temps easier than us. Summer is more of a problem than winter!
Also, about the fire risk, it's SO REAL. My husband is a firefighter, and he has responded to several chicken coop fires in the last few years. It's so sad and totally avoidable.
Molly
Monday 7th of January 2019
We don't have chickens yet but my plans in the next year or two is to get them and do a mobile style coop to let them keep the bugs down and forage a bit without being killed on the road or from predators. My question is, during the winter, can I set them up where we plan to keep our garden for the following year and let them sit there until the snow is gone? Can a mobile coop serve as a winter coop? I'd still give them the open yard fenced in but since the grass would be dead, I'd just feed them scraps, fodder, and whatever else they need. TIA I love your blog.
Danielle McCoy
Tuesday 8th of January 2019
Hi Molly,
Can you use a mobile coop in the winter? Sure. It will need to be well insulated and you'll have to have a way to keep the wind blocked. If you are keeping a tractor/run attached to the coop, you'll need to move it, even in the winter because it will be a mess in a short time if you don't move it around. If you're not going to have a run attached to it, it could be stationary.
If you are talking about letting them sit in the garden and poop, you'll need to move them out of there at least 45 days before you plan to start planting. Chicken manure has to be composted/cured before it's used in the garden. It's what is considered hot and it will kill the plants if it's too fresh.
Chickens do okay in the winter without fresh pasture to forage around for bugs, but a great way to keep them happy and scratching is to feed them whole grains, throw them into the area they're in. If it's stationary, pile up straw or pine shavings all over the run, then sprinkle it in. They'll miss some and it will sprout up for some fresh greens in the spring and summer months.
Good luck with your chickens!
Julie
Sunday 31st of December 2017
How do I avoid frozen eggs in winter without having to collect them several times a day. Right now it’s -8 below. I’m trying to determine if owning chickens in this Wisconsin climate is worth the effort. Would insulated nest boxes be sufficient?
Danielle McCoy
Monday 1st of January 2018
It is really cold here in northern Indiana, too (-30). Insulating the boxes with straw and using curtains can help. Here are a few other tips you can try as well. Hope that helps!