Keeping Your Chickens Warm in the Winter

Are you worried about keeping your chickens warm in the winter? Heat lamps aren’t the only answer despite what the farm stores would like you to believe. In fact, there are much safer ways to keep the birds comfortable in the freezing temps.

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They Can’t Be Needy

When I was first looking into adding chickens to our homestead, I questioned the information I was finding online. I saw lots of pet chickens with lavish coops complete with chandeliers. Although I wanted chickens, I did not want another needy animal. We have a diva for a dog and I don’t need any more divas. Sure Ma Ingalls didn’t have heaters and chandeliers for her chickens.

After much research, I figured out how to keep the yard birds warm without running a heater and risking a fire. And with temps in the negatives this week, everybody seems to be doing just fine.

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Keeping Your Chickens Warm in the Winter: The Coop

Insulation

One way to keep the chickens warm is to insulate the coop. Bales of straw around the coop can act as good insulation. You could also use pieces of foam if that works better. Foam is easier to use on a mobile chicken tractor because it can be taped to the outside.

Sun Room

We opted to create a sunroom for our chickens. Using a roll of plastic or sturdy plastic panels you can wrap the coop. This will reduce the wind and precipitation that can get in, while also trapping heat like a greenhouse. When keeping your chickens warm in the winter using this method make sure that there is still good ventilation.

Bedding

Some people use the deep litter method to keep the chickens warm during the winter. Having extra bedding will help keep them warm. You’ll need at least 4 inches of shavings or straw in the coop.

High Roosts

Heat rises so it makes sense that the chickens will want to roost up higher in the winter. Providing them with roosts will keep their feet off the floor and help them take advantage of the heat.

Heated Water

The most difficult part of keeping your chickens warm in the winter is keeping their water from freezing. Do yourself a favor and invest in a heated water bucket. You can find hanging ones made for chickens or even an electric dog bowl will work.

Keeping Your Chickens Warm in the Winter: Feed

Red Pepper

Chickens can not taste pepper, but they still feel the warming effects. Adding red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to their grain will help warm them from the inside. Additionally it will help them clear out any parasites which can come with the extra time spent in the coop.

Extra Grain

Digestion helps to warm up the body. So make sure you keep the feed buckets filled. They will be eating more to help keep themselves warm and plump all winter long.

Midnight Snacks

Squash, pumpkins, scratch, and veggies are all good snacks. Providing them with snacks before bed will help them stay warm through the night.

Why to Avoid Lamps & Heaters When Keeping Your Chickens Warm in the Winter

Fires

Heat lamps and bulbs increase the risk of fire in the chicken coop. Wood shavings and straw are highly flammable, so adding heat creates a dangerous combination.

Power Outages

When the birds are accustomed to the eclectic heat, they will have a more difficult time without it. If the power goes out, they will be especially cold. It also makes going out into the run seem colder when there is heat in the coop.

Upsets Their Rhythms

Light can disrupt the natural rhythms and cycles that their bodies go through. While it may increase egg production in the short term, it can cause them to stop laying much sooner in life. Think about it in much the same way that blue light messes with people.