Keeping your Chickens Warm During Winter

The most important thing to protect your chickens during a cold front is to keep the coop draft-free. You always need ventilation to protect against respiratory issues, but cold corners can be covered with moving blankets, extra windows and openings boarded up, and the walls can be padded with hay.

Remove all water from the coop since that lowers the temperature, and make sure no one is resting their feet on metal.

Silkies and bantam-sized birds are less cold tolerant, so if you’re able to, bring them inside overnight or into the garage. All birds with big combs and wattles are extra susceptible to frostbite, which also can occur on feet. Please check your roosters especially, and make sure not to follow outdated advice of coating combs in salves. Anything containing water will make them more prone to frostbite, not less.

Now is a good time to give your flock extra protein and also a bit of corn, since corn can raise their body temperature. Dried garlic is a good digestive supplement this time of year as well.