❄️ Winter Is Coming: How to Keep Your Chickens Happy and Cozy

The days are shorter, the mornings are chillier, and suddenly your flock is looking a little… scruffy. That’s right—it’s molting season, and winter is just around the corner.

Don’t worry—chickens are tough little birds. Unlike us, they don’t need sweaters and hot cocoa to get through the season (though they wouldn’t say no to a pumpkin snack). With a little preparation, your flock will be safe, comfortable, and even productive through the cold months.

Here’s your ultimate guide to getting your coop and flock winter-ready.

🏠 Step 1: Prep the Coop

Your coop is your chickens’ castle—and in winter, it needs to be warm, safe, and draft-free.

• Add roosts: Chickens love to perch off the ground, tucking their toes under their feathers to stay toasty. Wooden boards (2x4s are perfect) make the best perches. Aim for at least 9 inches of roosting space per bird.

• Seal drafts (but don’t over-seal): Patch cracks and holes to block icy winds—but keep some ventilation to prevent damp air from causing frostbite.

• Keep things dry: Remember—chicken poop is 70% water. Moisture = frostbite risk. Use trays under roosts, swap out bedding often, and keep the coop clean.

👉 Pro tip: If you smell ammonia or see condensation, it’s time for more cleaning and ventilation.

🍽️ Step 2: Keep Them Well-Fed

Chickens burn more energy in cold weather, so expect them to eat about 25% more feed.

• Balanced diet first: Stick to their regular complete feed—it fuels feathers and eggs.

• Scratch grains: Give scratch as a bedtime snack—digestion produces heat, giving them a cozy boost overnight.

• Treats (in moderation): Toss in pumpkins, squash, or root veggies to keep them entertained. Skip toxic foods like potatoes. Pecking blocks and seeds also fight boredom.

• Grit: Always provide grit to help with digestion.

👉 Pro tip: Store feed in a rodent-proof, weather-proof container like a metal bin.

💧 Step 3: Manage Water Like a Pro

Water is life—literally. If your chickens don’t drink, they won’t eat. But in winter, keeping water liquid can be tricky.

• Use heated waterers or bases to stop freezing.

• Elevate waterers to keep bedding and poop out.

• Always keep a backup waterer on hand—just in case.

👉 Pro tip: If water freezes, bring it inside to thaw. Don’t leave your flock without fresh water, even for a few hours.

🥚 Step 4: Nest Boxes & Egg Care

Yes, your girls will still lay through winter (with some encouragement).

• Collect eggs early: Eggs can freeze and crack if left out.

• Keep boxes cozy: Fresh nesting material = happy hens.

• Check shells: Toss any cracked ones to avoid bacteria issues.

👉 Pro tip: Add a soft light in the coop (on a timer) to mimic longer days—14 hours is ideal for steady egg production. Always use morning light, not evening, so hens don’t get stranded off the roost.

🧊 Step 5: Prevent Frostbite

The biggest cold-weather enemy isn’t snow—it’s moisture. Frostbite usually shows up on combs, wattles, and toes.

• Keep the coop dry and ventilated.

• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on combs/wattles during extra-cold nights.

• Isolate and treat any bird with frostbite so others don’t peck at the injury.

🌟 Final Cluck

Chickens don’t need heated coops or sweaters (though we admit the sweaters are adorable). What they do need is a clean, dry, draft-free space, good food, plenty of water, and a little extra TLC.

With the right prep, your flock will stay healthy, keep laying, and maybe even enjoy the snow—on their terms, of course. 🐓❄️🥚