This is a good article because it touches on safety, health, keeping chickens warm and the importance of fresh unfrozen water.
Caring For Chickens in the Winter
- Author BYC Project Manager
- Publish date
- Article read time 6 min read
This is a great article that explains why and how to try out the deep litter method that really works for our little flock of seven RIRs. Information here is exactly what we learned about and includes the several reasons we chose to maintain it in the chicken house. This will be the second year going into fall and winter continuing the technique of building up the depth of “bedding”, or “litter” that helps insulate, thus contributing to a warmer environment when our lows in Piedmont of N.C. dip into high twenties to low thirties degree F. It also contributes to insulation against the heat of summer, keeps the unwanted smells away and protects our chickens from bacteria and other unwanted microscopic “critters”.
This has been very successful from the start when we first renovated the old existing chicken house last spring, 2021, and began gradually building up a blend of things over the summer and into the fall that breaks down along with the chickens’ “pooties” we gradually rake and distribute into the mix. I read somewhere prob on BYCs about how to get the chickens’ assistance keeping the mix stirring by scattering out some treats at night so they would wake up to a scratch party!!
It’s usually recommended to go into the colder months with about 12” of the mix for the best results. In the spring it is raked out and removed to a safe spot on the farm where it will further break down. If done correctly it should never smell bad!
Here’s what we have come to work with, ( there may be more recommendations to be found here on BYC and at your local seed & feed stores ): a pre-packaged blend of chopped straw & a natural mineral for cleaner decomposition, a new discovery this summer; pine chips; soft hay; some smaller amounts of D. E. to use sparingly as needed to protect from certain unwanted insects like mites inside the building ; of course the chickens’ droppings; and if available dried fall leaves and dried grass clippings,(of course chemical-free from our yard, and if there is some leftover after putting some out in the chickens’ run, as they like it for improved scratching without mud).
It is important to watch out for dampness beneath the water containers, windows and all around, especially after rainfall. I remove any wet or soaked “litter/bedding” area as it will not dry out quickly enough, and allow the flooring to dry out before replacing and mixing in more fresh litter. We do not usually have problems with moisture or smell of the droppings in the area beneath our chickens’ roosts as it’s raked into the composting litter daily or every 2-3 days from the heavy plastic tarp beneath the roosts; it’s attached up high and behind the top one of the two roosts, extending downward on a gradual slope and behind the lower roost, (securing it on the outer edges of the lower roost and structure), and continues down to the bottom/flooring directly into the litter where we can cover the “pootie” with fresh litter at will then rake from the surface.
BTW there are articles on BYC regarding how to create a safe yet spacious chicken run, and in our case, it is where they may roam around outside of the coop/building til someone decides to be the free-range “babysitter” for even more hours
). Best to all, peace to all, stay well and enjoy your creatures at home.
This has been very successful from the start when we first renovated the old existing chicken house last spring, 2021, and began gradually building up a blend of things over the summer and into the fall that breaks down along with the chickens’ “pooties” we gradually rake and distribute into the mix. I read somewhere prob on BYCs about how to get the chickens’ assistance keeping the mix stirring by scattering out some treats at night so they would wake up to a scratch party!!
It’s usually recommended to go into the colder months with about 12” of the mix for the best results. In the spring it is raked out and removed to a safe spot on the farm where it will further break down. If done correctly it should never smell bad!
Here’s what we have come to work with, ( there may be more recommendations to be found here on BYC and at your local seed & feed stores ): a pre-packaged blend of chopped straw & a natural mineral for cleaner decomposition, a new discovery this summer; pine chips; soft hay; some smaller amounts of D. E. to use sparingly as needed to protect from certain unwanted insects like mites inside the building ; of course the chickens’ droppings; and if available dried fall leaves and dried grass clippings,(of course chemical-free from our yard, and if there is some leftover after putting some out in the chickens’ run, as they like it for improved scratching without mud).
It is important to watch out for dampness beneath the water containers, windows and all around, especially after rainfall. I remove any wet or soaked “litter/bedding” area as it will not dry out quickly enough, and allow the flooring to dry out before replacing and mixing in more fresh litter. We do not usually have problems with moisture or smell of the droppings in the area beneath our chickens’ roosts as it’s raked into the composting litter daily or every 2-3 days from the heavy plastic tarp beneath the roosts; it’s attached up high and behind the top one of the two roosts, extending downward on a gradual slope and behind the lower roost, (securing it on the outer edges of the lower roost and structure), and continues down to the bottom/flooring directly into the litter where we can cover the “pootie” with fresh litter at will then rake from the surface.
BTW there are articles on BYC regarding how to create a safe yet spacious chicken run, and in our case, it is where they may roam around outside of the coop/building til someone decides to be the free-range “babysitter” for even more hours
). Best to all, peace to all, stay well and enjoy your creatures at home. Attachments
This is only my 2nd winter with chickens and its good to refresh my information and ensure that I am taking the best care possible of the flock! 
