Chickens don’t need to be locked in a barn or chicken coop over winter. They can stay outside in the winter and will tolerate the cold weather and snow. Their protective coat of thick feathers helps to regulate their body temperature and will keep them warm. Chickens need some shelter but can be given some freedom to enjoy the snow!

It is very easy to care for chickens. While winter requires some thoughtful consideration for their comfort and health, it is still easy to keep chickens during the winter.

• They will need shelter, particularly in wet and windy weather to keep them safe from the elements.
  
  
• To keep your chickens comfortable, they will need dry bedding. It’s important to keep your eye on their bedding as you want to avoid moisture build-up in the coop as it can cause respiratory issues. You should use more shavings during the cold winter months than what is used in warmer weather.

• Make sure your shelter has some ventilation near the top of their coop to reduce ammonia levels and keep them healthy.

The ideal temperature for chickens is around 70-75′ F. They will modify their behaviour slightly to regulate their body temperature when the weather reaches about 15′ on either side of this. They will begin to experience stress from the cold when the temperature drops below 55′ F.

Our Barred-Rocks tend to handle the cold weather very well. Chickens will lose some of their body heat through their combs during the colder months. If it’s really cold, they will hide their head under a wing when sleeping to keep the comb a little warmer.

Chickens will also fluff their feathers to trap and warm air if they are getting too cold. You will also see them standing on one foot (to warm their feet one at a time) if they are too cold.

Do Chickens Need a Heat Lamp in Winter?

Chickens generally do not need a heat lamp if you have a coop that protects them from drafts. They will huddle together to stay warm. A heat lamp can be fire-hazard in a confined coop and is just not necessary most days.

We live in Canada and have a fairly open style chicken coop that isn’t insulated. If the temperature drops below freezing, we provide a heat lamp since we don’t lock them up in a confined space.

We allow our chickens to self-regulate and use the heat lamp if they ever feel chilly. Our chickens are free-range, so they can choose to go into the coop to warm up or go for a walk in the snow. Chickens always return to their coop at dusk – like clockwork. We have a high fence around our coop and the chickens fly into their little home every night to keep safe from predators. They settle onto their perch at night and keep eachother warm.

How to Feed Chickens in Winter

Chickens have higher energy needs in cold weather and will eat more in the winter to help produce body heat. We feed our chickens layer mash year-round and they still pick at the kale and cabbage in the garden despite the snow.

You can also supplement their diet with warm oatmeal and a dash of cayenne pepper to increase circulation and prevent frostbite.

It’s really important to monitor their water regularly to ensure it isn’t frozen. On our farm, we don’t use a water heater… we keep it simple. My kids simply take a pot of warm water out regularly to make sure they stay hydrated.

Collecting Eggs in Winter

The extra food they consume during the winter allows them to keep laying eggs. While egg production will usually slow down in winter, our Barred-Rock chickens are great egg layers. We need to collect eggs more often in cold weather to ensure they don’t freeze. If left outside too long, the eggs will expand and crack.

Winter Entertainment for Chickens

Chickens may not explore as much as they do in the warmer months. They are not out searching for bugs once the snow hits. To prevent boredom and aggression you can offer them a little entertainment in their coop with some chicken toys!

We have a chicken xylophone which is a very cute toy. You can also hang a head of lettuce from a string for them to bop around for hours of entertainment. A chicken swing is another fun toy they often enjoy if it’s introduced at an early age for them.

They also seem to like follow the leader. As soon as our chickens catch sight of my kids they instantly start following them around. It is ADORABLE! Our chickens love attention and have become well-loved pets!

As long as you keep your eye on your chickens, they are fine outdoors in winter. Provide some shelter, ensure they have adequate food and water, collect the eggs more often, and provide a little entertainment for them!