
Birds of a feather flock together, but that will only keep them warm for so long. If you are a backyard chicken enthusiast, you likely already know how to heat a chicken coop. However, did you know there are other ways to keep chickens warm once the frigid winter temperatures drop?
At BioZyme®, makers of Backyard Boost® supplements, we have our own henthusiasts on the team. We love our feathered friends and try our best to not let them get chilled in the winter months. That’s why we created this blog to share our favorite tips and tricks on how to keep chickens warm in the winter.
Our Tips To Keep Chickens Warm in Winter
Keeping chickens warm during the winter is important to ensure their health and well-being. Here are several strategies on how to keep chickens warm in winter.
Provide Proper Shelter
In addition to a well-insulated, but well-ventilated coop, you will want to seal any cracks with caulk. To avoid humidity buildup, make sure you have proper ventilation. Humidity can lead to frostbite, but with ventilation high on the walls, moisture can escape without creating a cold draft.
Finally, consider raising your coop off of the ground. This prevents cold moisture from seeping up through the soil.
Invest in Quality Bedding & Nesting Materials
Although the deep litter method might sound a little messy, the bedding generates heat as it decomposes. Use a thick layer of straw, hay or wood shavings and as the chickens add waste, the litter warms the coop. Turn the bedding regularly to help spread the warmth.
Nesting boxes bedded with straw or shavings are another source of warmth for your chickens and their eggs during the winter.
Feed High-Energy Food & Supplements
Feeding chickens additional corn or scratch grains before nightfall helps them generate body heat as they digest it overnight. During the cold, chickens burn more energy, so adding extra protein to their diet can help them stay warm. A protein supplement like Backyard Boost® Daily Essentials can help.
Backyard Boost Daily Essentials is a pelleted protein supplement for poultry designed to maximize digestibility and egg production. Daily Essentials provides nutrients needed for overall well-being. Additionally, it contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility, and AO-Biotics® EQE, a postbiotic research-proven to enhance egg quality.
Prevent Water from Freezing
Use heated waterers to ensure your chickens always have access to fresh, thawed water. Dehydration can cause cold stress. Insulating water containers can help delay freezing if you don’t have a heated option. Water is the most important nutrient for your birds and all animals, so be sure they have fresh, unfrozen water every day.
Install Wind Breaks & Outdoor Protection
If your chickens are free-range, set up windbreaks around their outdoor area to reduce wind chill. You can put tarps up or bales of straw around their run. Consider putting a cove over the outdoor run to provide a place where chickens can go outside without being exposed to snow or harsh winds.
Allow Natural Acclimation
Chickens are more resilient than you might think. They can handle cold temperatures if they’re allowed to acclimate gradually. Don’t overheat the coop too much, as this can prevent them from building up their natural cold tolerance. Gradually heating the coop is better than heating it to the maximum temperature.
Choose Cold-Hardy Breeds
Select chickens that are bred for cold climates. Breeds like Ameraucanas, Black Australorps, Delaware, Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Red are cold-hardy.
Learn more about chicken breeds in our earlier blog.
Backyard Boost Can Help
If you’re looking to supplement your flock’s diet during winter, Backyard Boost can help. In addition to Daily Essentials, we offer Backyard Boost Defense, a liquid supplement for poultry designed to support digestion and a healthy immune response.
If your chickens are struggling with the stress of winter cold, Defense promotes water intake and hydration and provides nutrients needed in times of stress. It is powered by AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance nutrient intake in your animals. The better fed they are, the healthier they are. And a healthy chicken will have a much better time braving those winter chills.
Add Backyard Boost Defense to your chickens’ clean, fresh water daily to help them stay comfortable, bounce back from stress, and keep them laying.
Check on Your Chickens
Have you decided how to keep chickens warm in winter? Regardless of your method, it’s important to stay vigilant. Regularly check your chickens for signs of cold stress. Look for symptoms such as lethargy, pale combs or reduced egg production. Address any issues promptly to maintain the health and well-being of your flock.
Get your Backyard Boost Today!
Now that you know how to keep chickens warm in winter, it’s time to give them that boost with Backyard Boost!
Ordering Backyard Boost is simple: purchase via our online store or from one of our online retail partners.
Perhaps you prefer to shop in person. You can use our dealer locator to find a BioZyme dealer closest to you.
Stay In the Know
Do you want to know more about taking care of your backyard birds? Use our Chicken Care Cycle as your guide to all knowledge of backyard chickens. Or you can simply sign up for our regular electronic newsletter to stay current on our blogs and other education.