6 Seasonal Care Checklists for Backyard Poultry (Spring to Winter)

If you’ve been keeping chickens for a while, you already know they don’t take a break just because the seasons change. Nope, your flock expects food, water, and attention all year round. But here’s the thing: what your chickens need in spring isn’t exactly the same as what they need in winter. Just like we swap out shorts for sweaters, chickens need little adjustments in care depending on the weather.

Think of it like seasonal housekeeping for your coop. A few small changes here and there can keep your birds happy, healthy, and laying strong from January straight through December. Ready for the ultimate chicken keeper’s year-round checklist? Let’s go season by season.

1. Spring Checklist: Fresh Start for the Coop​

Spring is when everything wakes up. Flowers bloom, bugs return, and your hens start laying like they’ve been on vacation.

• Deep clean the coop. This is the time for a serious scrub. Remove old bedding, sweep out cobwebs, and disinfect the roosts and nesting boxes. Fresh season, fresh start.
• Check for pests. Warmer weather brings mites and lice. Give your flock a quick once-over to make sure no little critters have moved in.
• Boost nutrition. After a slower winter laying season, hens often need a little extra protein and calcium to ramp back up. A sprinkle of oyster shell or a higher-protein feed does wonders.
• Expand space if needed. Spring chicks are popular. If you’re adding to your flock, make sure you have enough room for everyone. Overcrowding is like trying to cram ten people into a two-seater car. It gets messy fast.

Spring is basically the season of “out with the old, in with the new.” Your flock will thank you with plenty of eggs.

More: Caring For Chickens In The Spring

2. Summer Checklist: Keep Them Cool​

When the heat cranks up, chickens can really struggle. Imagine walking around all day wearing a down jacket in July. That’s your hens.

• Fresh water, all day. Chickens drink more in summer, so keep waterers clean, full, and shaded. Warm, dirty water? Hard pass.
• Shade is a must. Even a simple tarp or some extra branches can make a huge difference. Nobody likes roasting in the sun.
• Frozen treats. Toss a frozen watermelon or a block of frozen veggies into the run. It’s like chicken popsicles, and yes, it’s as fun to watch as it sounds.
• Ventilation in the coop. Heat builds up fast inside. Make sure windows or vents are open so air can flow through.

Summer care is all about preventing heat stress. If your birds are panting or holding their wings out, that’s a sign they’re too hot. A misting hose or fan can save the day.

More: Caring for Chickens in Summer: Tips for a Happy and Healthy Flock

3. Fall Checklist: Prep for the Cold​

Fall feels like the calm before the storm. The weather cools, the bugs fade, and the hens start their annual feather fashion show, otherwise known as molting.

• Protein boost. Feathers are made of protein, and during molt, your birds need more of it. Think mealworms, sunflower seeds, or a higher-protein feed.
• Deep clean, again. Fall is your last big cleaning before winter sets in. Trust me, it’s easier now than when you’re freezing your fingers in January.
• Check the coop for drafts. Patch holes, seal cracks, and make sure your coop is snug. But don’t seal it too tight. Chickens need ventilation, even in winter.
• Stock up on supplies. Bedding, feed, and grit are easier to grab before the snow comes.

Fall is also the season when egg production might slow down. Don’t panic. It’s normal. Your hens are just recharging.

More: Caring For Chickens in the Fall

4. Winter Checklist: Keep Them Cozy​

Winter is where chicken keeping gets a little trickier. The days are short, the nights are long, and your flock needs extra help staying warm and healthy.

• Dry bedding. Damp bedding in winter is a recipe for frostbite. Keep things clean and dry with straw or shavings.
• Ventilation, not drafts. Fresh air at the top of the coop helps moisture escape. But no cold gusts blowing across roosts. Think “fresh air” not “wind tunnel.”
• Extra calories. A handful of cracked corn before bed helps chickens generate body heat overnight.
• Check water often. Water freezes quickly. Heated waterers are a lifesaver, but if you don’t have one, be ready to swap buckets often.
• Protect combs and wattles. A little dab of petroleum jelly can prevent frostbite on those tender spots.

You don’t need to install a space heater in the coop. Chickens are tougher than they look. Give them shelter from wind and wet, and they’ll fluff up like little feathered snowballs.

More: Caring For Chickens in the Winter

5. Year-Round Checklist: The Everyday Basics​

No matter the season, some chores stay the same. These are your non-negotiables:

• Food and water daily. Simple, but easy to overlook when life gets busy.
• Egg collection. Collecting eggs often keeps them clean and discourages hens from egg-eating.
• Quick flock check. Spend a few minutes watching your birds every day. You’ll spot issues early, whether it’s a limp, missing feathers, or a hen who’s acting “off.”
• Coop security. Raccoons, foxes, and even neighborhood dogs don’t take days off. Make sure latches are secure.

The everyday basics are like brushing your teeth. Small habits that keep everything running smoothly.

More: Daily to weekly chicken maintenance

6. Seasonal Extras: The Fun Stuff​

Not every checklist item is about survival. Some are just about making life more fun for you and your flock.

• Dust baths. Chickens love rolling in dirt. It keeps them clean and happy. Make sure they have a dry patch all year round.
• Enrichment. Toss in a cabbage on a string, or scatter scratch grains for them to hunt. Happy chickens are productive chickens.
• Family time. Chickens are surprisingly social. Spend time with them. They’ll learn to trust you, and you might even find yourself with a lap chicken who follows you around like a feathery dog.

These extras aren’t just for the chickens. They make the whole chicken-keeping experience more rewarding for you too.

More: 15 Signs Your Flock is Healthier Than Average

Conclusion​

Caring for backyard chickens isn’t complicated, but it does change with the seasons. Spring is for fresh starts, summer is all about staying cool, fall is prep time, and winter is about keeping cozy. Add in your year-round basics and a few fun extras, and you’ve got a happy, healthy flock no matter what the calendar says.

The best part? Once you get into the rhythm of seasonal care, it becomes second nature. Kind of like how you know when it’s time to swap out sandals for boots. Your chickens will reward you with fresh eggs, funny antics, and a little farm magic right in your backyard.

And honestly, who doesn’t need a little farm magic in their life?