Winter Care for Backyard Chickens
 | Author:
Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent |
Winter Care for Backyard Chickens Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent Winter can be a tough time for chickens and other birds. They can survive but may not thrive. It’s not unusual for hens to stop or slow-laying eggs during the winter. Some breeds such as Plymouth Rock, Ameraucana and Orpington do better during the winter than smaller or less feathered birds.
However, there are several things you can to do improve conditions and increase the likelihood of laying. An egg is more than 70% water which is one of the reasons why water is the most important nutrient for chickens. However, it can also be one of the most challenging ones to provide during the winter.
Chickens will drink about 2 pounds of water for every pound of food they eat. In addition to egg production, water is important for digestion and temperature regulation.
There are several techniques you can use to keep water thawed, and you may need to experiment to see what works best. Heated bases for waterers are available. Highly insulated waters are also available and may help delay freezing. You can also hang heat lamps over the waterer. If all else fails and you can’t keep water thawed, then provide fresh water twice daily. Rubber pans are ideal for removing frozen water without breaking the pan.
As temperatures drop, the energy requirements for chickens goes up. Feed free choice feed during the winter. Another strategy is to supplement with a high-energy feed such as grains or oil seeds. One downside of a high-energy feed is that the excess energy can lead to increased feather-pecking. If you see this, reduce your supplementation or stop completely for a while. Providing options to keep chickens active can help with this too such as offering plant material like hay, straw, vegetables, pumpkins, etc.
Egg production slows when temperatures drop below 55 degrees F. A large number of chickens will produce enough body heat that additional heat may not be needed. A smaller flock is unlikely to do this and will need supplemental heat. Safety is a concern with heating chicken coops though. Make sure to shield your heat source and keep it clear of debris. Hang heat lamps with chains, not ropes or the cord. Improving insulation with fiberglass matting or Styrofoam panels can be another way to increase heat retention. If you start to notice egg production decreasing and feed consumption increasing, this is likely a sign that the chickens are cold. Try to keep the temperature at least 40 degrees during cold snaps.
Finding the right balance for ventilation is also important. Too much ventilation and you lose precious heat. However, not enough can also cause issues. Chicken manure contains a lot of water, and this moisture can build up over time and increase the prevalence of respiratory disease. Additionally, wet litter can produce ammonia with is harmful to chickens and you. If you smell ammonia, then ventilation needs to be improved. Bedding of straw or shavings can also help absorb manure. Make sure to clean it regularly.
Light is another critical factor especially for laying hens. Naturally, hens lay eggs when the days are long and stop in the fall after molting. Even though selective breeding has improved this, short days will naturally decrease egg production. Lights can be used to keep day length at 14 hours or more a day to stimulate laying. Sixteen hours of light is ideal.
Watch for frostbite, especially if chickens have access to outside areas. You’ll see frostbite on combs, wattles and toes first. To help prevent frostbite, apply petroleum jelly to wattle and combs and try to avoid letting them walk on snow and ice.
Contact MSU Extension in Broadwater County with your livestock questions at 406-266-9242 or allison.kosto@montana.edu.
