Hi everyone! I was really curious as to what all of you chicken keepers do to get prepared for winter.
I do a number of things to get ready for winter, as we usually see bitter cold weather.
My top priority is making sure that my chickens never run out of water, preventing frostbite, and making sure that my coop has plenty ventilation.
First off, I'll list the things that I do in my preparations for winter:
1. Heated Waterer: I know that there is a big vs situation about purchasing a heated waterer or not, but I am happy that I bought a heated waterer. Last winter, the temps were almost at 0 degrees; but my heated waterer kept my chickens' waterer fresh and unfrozen.
Of course, it is up to you if you choose to purchase a heated waterer, or to keep an extra waterer on hand. But a heated waterer is my preference.
2. Plenty of ventilation: As I said before, I have 2 screen windows in my coop. I have over 30 chickens, and all of that moisture from breathing and droppings, my two windows play a significant part in keeping my flock healthy.
Fresh bedding: I use either pine shavings or hay for my bedding. My chickens absolutely love it when I decide to use hay for their bedding, it keeps them so entertained; and when boredom is present (and usually is in winter) scattering my chickens' favorite treats through the hay keeps them entertained for hours on end.
And even though most chicken keepers I know don't see this as important, keeping bedding dry around waterers is extremely important! And if a waterer gets spilled, or some other accident happens; simply remove the wet spot and replace with fresh bedding.
Heaters: This is also something that can be used in the coop, or not. I do occasionally use my heat lamps in winter. Only because I have some breeds that are not winter tolerant in the least, and I'm not going to let them freeze to death. There are some safe heaters on the market though that are completely safe to use, if you are afraid of a coop fire.
Nutrition: Staying warm takes a great deal of energy, so it's important that chickens are kept well fed both before and during the winter. You can expect their caloric needs to increase by 10 percent or more in cold weather. As with the rest of the year, make sure your chickens have constant access to a quality chicken feed. To help keep them laying and help make them more able to handle the stresses of dropping temperatures, you can also add some extras to their diet. Feeding a little extra corn is recommended, I feed my chickens some cracked corn before I close them up for the night, as is high-quality treats like treat flocks, etc... To help the birds bulk up a bit, you can also occasionally feed warm oatmeal. Many chicken owners also provide greens such as alfalfa, wheat grass, and lettuce at times to help keep the chickens happy and nourished until spring arrives and the birds can forage again. Hanging a head of cabbage will keep them well nourished when greens are not present, and keep them entertained as well!
Dealing with boredom: Every chicken keeper knows that when winter comes, chickens are faced with boredom. Chicken toys filled with different sorts of treats will keep chickens happy! As will a head of cabbage hung from the coop ceiling; scattering treats in bedding; setting treat blocks out; feeding greens, and adding different things to your coop and run (hay, straw, tree limbs, dead leaves; etc.)
Artificial dust baths: Since the ground is frozen in winter, and birds are desperately needing a dust bath; simply putting a box of sand in their coop will take care of pesky bugs!
So, what do you all do to keep your flock happy and healthy in the winter?
I do a number of things to get ready for winter, as we usually see bitter cold weather.
My top priority is making sure that my chickens never run out of water, preventing frostbite, and making sure that my coop has plenty ventilation.
First off, I'll list the things that I do in my preparations for winter:
1. Heated Waterer: I know that there is a big vs situation about purchasing a heated waterer or not, but I am happy that I bought a heated waterer. Last winter, the temps were almost at 0 degrees; but my heated waterer kept my chickens' waterer fresh and unfrozen.
Of course, it is up to you if you choose to purchase a heated waterer, or to keep an extra waterer on hand. But a heated waterer is my preference.
2. Plenty of ventilation: As I said before, I have 2 screen windows in my coop. I have over 30 chickens, and all of that moisture from breathing and droppings, my two windows play a significant part in keeping my flock healthy.
Fresh bedding: I use either pine shavings or hay for my bedding. My chickens absolutely love it when I decide to use hay for their bedding, it keeps them so entertained; and when boredom is present (and usually is in winter) scattering my chickens' favorite treats through the hay keeps them entertained for hours on end.
And even though most chicken keepers I know don't see this as important, keeping bedding dry around waterers is extremely important! And if a waterer gets spilled, or some other accident happens; simply remove the wet spot and replace with fresh bedding.
Heaters: This is also something that can be used in the coop, or not. I do occasionally use my heat lamps in winter. Only because I have some breeds that are not winter tolerant in the least, and I'm not going to let them freeze to death. There are some safe heaters on the market though that are completely safe to use, if you are afraid of a coop fire.
Nutrition: Staying warm takes a great deal of energy, so it's important that chickens are kept well fed both before and during the winter. You can expect their caloric needs to increase by 10 percent or more in cold weather. As with the rest of the year, make sure your chickens have constant access to a quality chicken feed. To help keep them laying and help make them more able to handle the stresses of dropping temperatures, you can also add some extras to their diet. Feeding a little extra corn is recommended, I feed my chickens some cracked corn before I close them up for the night, as is high-quality treats like treat flocks, etc... To help the birds bulk up a bit, you can also occasionally feed warm oatmeal. Many chicken owners also provide greens such as alfalfa, wheat grass, and lettuce at times to help keep the chickens happy and nourished until spring arrives and the birds can forage again. Hanging a head of cabbage will keep them well nourished when greens are not present, and keep them entertained as well!
Dealing with boredom: Every chicken keeper knows that when winter comes, chickens are faced with boredom. Chicken toys filled with different sorts of treats will keep chickens happy! As will a head of cabbage hung from the coop ceiling; scattering treats in bedding; setting treat blocks out; feeding greens, and adding different things to your coop and run (hay, straw, tree limbs, dead leaves; etc.)
Artificial dust baths: Since the ground is frozen in winter, and birds are desperately needing a dust bath; simply putting a box of sand in their coop will take care of pesky bugs!
So, what do you all do to keep your flock happy and healthy in the winter?
