I was born and raised here and now we’re raising our family here. I love every season. But, there are certain things we have to do to prepare for winter, and preparing our coop and chickens for this extreme weather is at the top of our to-do list every year!
Do You Need to Heat the Coop in Winter?
One of the most common questions I get from new backyard chicken keepers is, “Do I need to heat the coop when it gets really cold?” The answer might surprise you: we don’t use a heat lamp in our coop—and here’s why.
Chickens are actually better suited to cold weather than hot weather. They’ve got their own built-in winter jacket in the form of fluffy feathers! Plus, chickens don’t have sweat glands, so summer heat can be harder on them than cold winters.
Why We Don’t Heat the Coop
Heating the coop can create some issues because of temperature fluctuations. Chickens do better if they stay within a consistent temperature range instead of constantly going from warm to cold when they step outside.
And most importantly, heat lamps can be dangerous. They’re the leading cause of coop fires. Sadly, I’ve read stories of people losing their entire flock due to a heat lamp fire. For us, it’s not worth the risk.
Our chickens have made it through temperatures far below zero in a well-insulated, draft-free coop—without a heat lamp.
We use the deep litter method to provide extra insulation and warmth. I manage our deep litter with Coop Recuperate, which has been a game changer. The coop smells like lemongrass and eucalyptus instead of, well, chicken poop! If you want to learn more about the deep litter method, check out my blog post or video below.
Helping Chickens Handle Cold Weather Stress
Winter storms and extreme cold can be stressful for chickens, so we use Flock Fixer during tough weather. Flock Fixer is a vitamin-rich water additive that helps keep our girls hydrated and boosts their immunity. It has electrolytes, prebiotics and probiotics to support them during Minnesota’s blizzards. I highly recommend it!
Essentials for Keeping Chickens Warm in Winter
Our girls have made it through several intense Minnesota winters, and we’re grateful this one seems to be a bit milder (so far!). Here are a few essentials for keeping your flock cozy:
Draft-free coop: A well-insulated, draft-free coop is essential for keeping your chickens warm and protected from cold winds. Make sure there are no gaps or cracks where drafts could get in, while still allowing proper ventilation.
Deep litter method: This method involves building up a layer of bedding that naturally composts, providing extra insulation and warmth for your coop. Again, I use Coop Recuperate to manage the litter, which keeps things fresh and makes a big difference in winter comfort.
Fresh, unfrozen water: Make sure they always have access to clean, unfrozen water.
Adequate food: Good nutrition is key for keeping them healthy. Highly-quality feed is essential to keeping them warm and healthy!
Scratch grains with cracked corn: I like to give this in the late afternoon to help keep their metabolism up overnight. It helps them stay warm during those chilly nights! I like to use Happy Tract and Golden Graze chicken treats!
With these simple winter care tips, you can help keep your chickens comfortable, even in the middle of a blizzard! Come back next week to see how we handle the stress of winter blizzards—spoiler alert: we bake Christmas cookies!
Until next time,
–The Wing Lady
Coop Recuperate - Freshen Up Your Chicken Coop Coop Recuperate is a safe and natural way to care for your coop. This coop refresher contains organic eucalyptus and lemongrass essential oil, along with diatomaceous earth to reduce odor and moisture and help improve the quality of your compost.
Golden Graze - For Quality Eggs & Golden Yolks Golden Graze is a daily chicken snack that promotes quality eggs with golden yolks and Omega-3 fatty acids. It contains oregano essential oils, multi-grains, cracked corn, oyster shells, marigold petals and flaxseed. Treat your hens to this healthy snack and enjoy eggsellent eggs.
Happy Tract - For Digestive Healthy & Immunity
Happy Tract is a daily chicken snack that promotes digestive health in your flock. It contains oregano, cinnamon and thyme essential oils, prebiotics, multi-grains, cracked corn and sunflower seed. Treat your feathered friends to this healthy snack.
Flock Fixer - Hydrate & Restore Health During Times of Challenge
You can’t always see it, but your flock will experience a weakened immune system during times of challenge. Flock Fixer is a vitamin-rich additive that helps hydrate, restore vital nutrients and balance digestive health.