How do you keep your flock happy in the Winter?

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I live in North Idaho, so winters here are moderate - a couple feet of snow and cold weather (for example, this weeks low is 25°), but nothing too extreme (compared to some of you). I have a flock of 6 hens (breeds below) and they usually stay in their run during the winter months. I give them some Black Larvae grubs about once a week, maybe less - just to help keep their protein up a little and give them something to forage for. As for their living situation, they have a large run with a sizable tree in there, which helps keep the ground a little more clear of snow, and a raised coop, so they also can go under there for shelter - not to mention inside the coop, of course. Their run tends to get a bit muddy, but not too crazy. I do not give them any heat lamps or any other heat sources. I use a heated water bowl and a large feeder, and I feed them an All Flock feed (with oyster on the side). I was trying to think of ways to keep them happy and healthy during the winter months, and I was thinking of growing some grass in a covered tray so that they can eat the grass without digging it up (a grazing box). Now that you know more about my flock, what could I do to keep them healthy and happy in the winter months? What do you do for your flock?

Breeds: Dark Brahma, Lavender and Buff Orpingtons, Gold laced Blue Wyandotte, and an Olive Egger.

 

[2ndTink]

The grazing box is a great idea. In the cold you can decrease their protein intake a bit (not while they are molting though), this is easy to accomplish by giving them some scratch grains as well which can provide them some daily excitement. I try to let mine free range at least every weekend, we don't have much snow here though, just cold.

Otherwise, they have various toys for chickens now, xylophones, swings, I've seen people give them random toys and balls and some chickens play with them. Some run clutter than you can change out or rearrange every few days would keep them a little entertained as well.