Essential Tips for Keeping Hens Happy and Healthy in Cold Weather

When temperatures drop below freezing, keeping hens comfortable and healthy becomes a challenge for many backyard poultry keepers. Cold weather can affect hens’ water supply, feed intake, and bedding conditions, all of which are crucial for their wellbeing. This guide offers practical advice on how to adjust your care routine during the colder months, ensuring your flock stays warm, well-fed, and hydrated even when the mercury falls well below 0°C.

Chickens cen do well in cold weather, as long as some precautions are followed.

Adjusting Water Supply in Freezing Temperatures

Water is essential for hens’ health, but it can quickly freeze when temperatures fall below 0°C. Frozen water means hens cannot drink, which leads to dehydration and reduced egg production.

• Use heated waterers or water heaters designed for poultry. These devices keep water just above freezing without overheating it.

• Check water supply multiple times a day to ensure it hasn’t frozen over, especially during cold snaps.

• Insulate water containers by wrapping them with insulating materials or placing them in sheltered areas protected from wind.

• Consider using warm water when refilling drinkers to delay freezing.

• Avoid using metal waterers directly on cold ground, as they freeze faster. Instead, place them on wooden platforms or bricks.

  
  

Keeping hens hydrated supports their digestion and helps maintain body heat during cold weather.

Increasing Feed to Support Energy Needs

Hens burn more calories in cold weather to keep warm. Their feed intake should increase to meet this higher energy demand.

• Offer a higher energy diet by adding more grains like cracked maize or wheat to their usual feed.

• Provide extra protein through supplements such as sunflower seeds or mealworms, which help maintain feather quality and overall health.

• Feed more frequently to encourage hens to eat throughout the day, especially during shorter daylight hours.

• Avoid sudden diet changes; introduce new feed gradually to prevent digestive upset.

• Consider adding warm treats like cooked vegetables or porridge to encourage eating and provide comfort.

  
  

Proper nutrition helps hens maintain body weight and produce eggs consistently despite the cold.

Bedding and Coop Adjustments for Warmth

A dry, insulated coop is vital for protecting hens from cold drafts and dampness, which can cause illness.

• Use deep litter bedding by adding fresh straw or wood shavings regularly. This method generates heat as the bedding decomposes.

• Ensure bedding is dry; wet bedding chills hens and encourages respiratory problems.

• Seal gaps and cracks in the coop walls and doors to block cold drafts but maintain ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.

• Add extra nesting material in laying boxes to keep eggs warm and hens comfortable.

• Provide perches off the ground so hens can roost away from cold floors.

• Consider a windbreak outside the coop using bales of straw or wooden panels to shield from prevailing winds.

  
  

A warm, dry environment reduces stress and keeps hens healthy during harsh weather.

Monitoring Hen Behaviour and Health

Cold weather can stress hens, making them more vulnerable to illness.

• Watch for signs of frostbite, especially on combs and wattles, which appear pale or blackened.

• Observe if hens are huddling excessively or showing lethargy, which may indicate they are too cold or unwell.

• Keep an eye on egg production; a sudden drop may signal health or environmental issues.

• Provide extra care to older or weaker birds who struggle more in cold conditions.

  
  

Regular checks help catch problems early and allow you to adjust care as needed.

Additional Tips for Winter Care

• Use a red heat lamp cautiously if temperatures drop extremely low, but avoid overheating or fire hazards.

• Keep feeders and waterers clean to prevent disease.

• Maintain a consistent routine to reduce stress.

• Ensure access to outdoor runs with shelter so hens can exercise and forage safely.

  
  

It is clear there is much we, as chicken keepers, can do to help protect our hens, but it is also worth remembering that hens do thrive in moderate cold, and will still need good ventilation in their coop to prevent illness. However, by making some of these adjustments, you will help your hens thrive even when the weather turns below freezing.