photo credit: tillwe

Many people who are new chicken owners (friends, not food!) get their pets in the spring or summertime. By the time winter breathes its first frosty breath, it’s too late to begin preparing your chickens for the cold environment. Here are some things that you can start thinking about for your chicken!

• An insulated coop/hut/hatch/house – The most expensive method would be to actually buy insulation in order to pad your chicken coop, but it may not be the best method. To keep your chickens warm and healthy you need to also take into consideration the fact that there needs to be proper ventilation as well as proper warmth for your chickens. Extra hay or cardboard as lining for the bottom of your chicken coop will help maintain proper ventilation while creating a compost-like floor.
  
• Fattier feed/More frequent feedings – Animals, like people, burn more calories in the winter trying to maintain correct body temperature and therefore need more food so they can burn the calories without getting too thin or malnourished.
  
• Heating lamps/heated bowls - Don’t let your chickens’ water or eggs freeze! Using heating lamps or heated water bowls can help to keep the frost at bay.
  
• Controlled lighting - Like humans, chickens are also affected by the change in the number of daylight hours. To keep your chickens’ eggs production consistent, try using natural sunlight light bulbs/full spectrum light bulbs to keep them in cheery moods.
  
• Vitamin D supplements - Since sunlight is limited in the winter, so is Vitamin D. Try some Vitamin D supplements to mix in with the chicken feed.

If you are worried about your ability to provide a good, happy and healthy environment for your chickens despite these tips, some breeds that fair better in the winter months than others include:  Brahma, Cochin, New Hampshire, Orpington, Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red and Wyandott

Chicken Care in Winter via the Chicken Coup blog where you can get Backyard Chicken and Chicken Care news and info.

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