All the babies here are outside now in their portion of the prepared coop. Everyone is good so far, but I did add a smaller box situated under the heat lamp to trap heat better– you don’t want to overcrowd ever, but you can have too big a space in winter. Though they seemed to be o.k. without the extra box and I try to be tough, when it comes down to it I’m a serious worry wart.
Hard to believe that last week, temperatures were in the 80’s with cool but pleasant night time temps. That has definitely changed! Fall is in full swing, night time temps are dropping…. winter is fast approaching.
Previously, I posted about preparing our winter coop. I decided I would post this time about chickens themselves and their care during winter.
Winter Egg Laying
In the fall and throughout the winter, people tend to notice a drop in egg production. In many cases, hens will stop laying altogether. Chickens tend to molt in the fall. Odd timing, I know. It seems strange that a bird would molt right when they start to need those feathers more! But that’s how it goes, and during molt hens will lay less or stop laying altogether.
Also, a chicken’s cycles respond to the natural light cycle. When the days grow shorter, the hens stop laying. Some people feel it is best to let nature take its course and to give hens a break in the winter. I’m one of them. But if you’d rather have eggs through the winter, a light on a timer that kicks on a couple hours before daylight and shuts off later at night (for a total of about 14 hours daylight) could help to keep hens laying through the winter.
Winter Feeding
Most people are concerned about needing to change a chicken’s diet in preparation or through the winter.
In my own case, I will have two flocks. One is a layer’s flock for edible eggs. The other flock is my breeder flock of English Orpingtons. Since they have different functions, I’ll be feeding different ways.
In the Spring, Summer, and Fall the layer’s flock will have layer’s pellets. In late fall and through the winter, I will switch to Flock Raiser. I’ll provide a ration of cracked corn to give them a few extra calories to burn. They’ll also get treats– warm oatmeal, warm rice, scrambled eggs, and various greens.
None of this is to keep them laying. Again, I don’t provide supplemental lighting. I think nature knows best. Rather it’s meant just to give them what they need to stay healthy and plenty of energy to burn to hold their own through the winter months. Flock raiser has a higher percentage of protein than layer’s pellets normally do. Warm oatmeal, rice, and scrambled eggs will warm their core. Greens will provide extra nutrients, and chickens just like green stuff! 🙂
If you do provide supplemental lighting to keep hens laying, keeping them on a layer’s ration is probably best. You can also provide a ration of cracked corn or scratch grains to give them something extra to burn, and offer them warm treats and greens.
The Orpington flock, as adults, will be on a flock raiser year round, as well as a ration of fancy scratch mix made up of scratch, BOSS, oats, and calf manna since this flock’s function is not about high egg output at any time of year. Warm oatmeal, rice, and greens will be provided, an extra ration of fancy scratch, but their diet will otherwise remain unchanged.
*No matter what you feed, provide a free choice calcium supplement whether it is oyster shell, crushed egg shells, or whatever you choose to use.
Letting Birds Out of the Coop
Should your birds have access to the outdoors in the winter? Yes, they should.
Some people’s chickens don’t want to leave the confines of the coop in winter. Some people’s chickens refuse to let their dainty little chicken toes touch a flake of snow. Other flocks on the other hand can be found outdoors wind, rain, cold, snow, or shine! Let it be your flock’s choice whether they wish to venture out or not.
A good winter coop will give chickens that prefer their freedom sanctuary as needed. Don’t forget to keep it ventilated!
Parasites in Winter
You would think winter would provide a break from pests and parasites. Not necessarily. Before winter sets in, be sure deworm, demite, and delouse. Treat your birds and your coop. They need all their energy to stay healthy and warm through the winter. They don’t need worms, lice, or mites sapping them of their vitality, nutrients, and energy!
Supplemental Heat
Short and sweet answer? No. A draft free, appropriately sized coop is all most chickens need.
Providing Water
The most important and challenging thing about winter can be keeping fresh water available. There are plenty of options though to make that happen. You may choose to schlep hot water out multiple times a day, alternate thawing waterers throughout the day, buy a heated waterer, heated dog bowl, or make a heated cookie tin waterer. Whatever option you choose, keeping water available to your birds at all times is essential. Eating snow will not cut it as it takes energy to melt the snow and lowers core temperature. All you’ll have is thirsty, colder birds.
Letting Hens Brood in Winter
Fertility tends to drop for many through the winter and setting hens isn’t generally a problem, but it does happen! If you do have fertile eggs and a hen decides she wants to set, it is probably not the best idea to let her.
Hens eat and drink little when they’re setting and will drop weight. A thin, undernourished, dehydrated hen isn’t a good thing in the winter. They also tend to molt after they set. A half naked chicken in January? 
Then the hen, while trying to recuperate, is faced with the duty of keeping chicks safe and warm.
Not that people don’t allow hens to set in winter. Some do, and it seems they manage the situation just fine, but it isn’t recommended so my suggestion is to toss that ol’ clucker out of the nest box and tell her to cool her britches until Spring returns. 🙂
Happy Chickens 