Do chickens need more protein in winter???

[chuckzoo]

Temperatures are dropping quite low here in Alabama. Next week it will be around 15F at night and I have one hen that has started to molt. I have around 4" of straw in the coop and have covered the vents just under the eaves with canvas to keep out draughts. The gable vents are still open.

Should I be feeding them a higher protein feed during the winter? I gave them warm water in their waterer early this morning and made a warm mash of layer feed mixed with oatmeal. They picked out the oatmeal and left the rest. I am sure they will eat in later in the day, they normally do.

 

[LuckyDozen Farm]

Keep your feed protein ratio at about 20% or more until 30 weeks and drop to about 14-16% after that. You should be fine. I usually supplement a little more scratch in the winter just b/c of the extra corn,, I personally think this may add to their body fat and adds extra energy to keep their heat up. Seems to work just fine, but mind you our avg winter temp is about 45 degrees....