Backyard Chickens Winter
Power in the coop allows chicks to be brooded there and lets the owner switch on lights to check on the birds or complete chores after sunset.
Backyard chickens winter. How to care for chickens in winter video. Last night it frosted. To keep your chickens healthy comfortable and productive in winter however it is important to provide them with the proper cold weather care. Keeping chickens warm in the winter get the right chicken breeds for your climate.
It also allows lighting the coop early mornings on dark winter days to stimulate egg production. Even though no snow is in their run. Think of all that bedding you re asking for a fire. They are not coming out of the coop.
Backyard chickens are actually quite hardy creatures and cope with cold much more easily than they deal with heat. The best thing you can do to provide warmth for your chickens is to insulate your coop or hen house well. Ventilation is key to prevent moisture buildup. This is my second winter with my 4 chickens.
And put a light source in the. If you let nature take its course your hens egg laying will plummet and you will do well to get more than an egg a week from them. If temperatures are extreme or the winter winds are extra cold you can close the chickens up into their well insulated coop for the best most natural protection. This article deals with all the proven benefits of feeding garlic to chickens particularly in the winter months when the immune system needs a boost.
Chickens are becoming more and more widespread in suburban areas and a backyard flock can be a wonderful part of sustainable living. They huddle together for warmth. Plus chickens don t need it. However this is my first winter we have had significant snowfall.
My chickens clearly don t like the snow. In this chapter you will learn why hens stop laying during winter. So let s dive in and talk about how to keep chickens in winter. Don t forget chickens were meant to be outside.
I ve looked at some other threads about winter weather but i still worry. Don t put a heater in your chicken coop for winter warmth. I live in pennsylvania so our winters aren t the worst but they re not easy. Many backyard coops lack electricity but there are few items as useful in managing chickens.
Caring for chickens changes a little bit during the winter but as long as your chickens have adequate shelter food and water they are good to go much like the spring fall and summer. And don t seal up the coop completely. I placed water and food in the coop. For many backyard chicken keepers the dark winter months mean one thing.
My ducks love swimming in a little duck pond we put in.