Taking care of your chickens during the winter months doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little preparation and the right supplies, your flock can stay healthy, warm, and productive all season long. From proper nutrition and coop care to water management and lighting, here’s what you need to know to help your ladies thrive through the cold months.
Winter Feed Restocks
As temperatures drop, chickens burn more calories just to stay warm. During the winter, your flock will typically consume about 25% more feed than usual, so it’s important to plan ahead and keep feed bins well stocked.
Adding extra carbohydrates to their diet can help support warmth and energy. Cracked corn is a popular cold-weather supplement because it takes longer to digest, helping birds generate internal heat overnight. Spike’s cracked corn is bagged locally at our mill in Delano, making it a convenient and reliable option.
In addition to feed, chickens need free-choice grit available 24/7. Grit is essential for proper digestion, as it helps their gizzard break down food—especially important when birds are eating more whole grains and treats.
Fresh water is just as important as feed. Even in winter, chickens must have constant access to clean, unfrozen water to stay healthy and continue laying.
Treats are always a welcome bonus during the colder months and can help provide extra calories and enrichment. Some winter flock favorites include:
- Mealworms
- Suet
- Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
These treats are especially appreciated on cold days and help keep your chickens active and content.
Coop Care
When it comes to winter housing, less cleaning can actually be more helpful. We recommend using the deep litter method during the colder months. This means allowing bedding and droppings to build up over time, creating natural insulation and a small amount of heat as materials break down. Save the full coop clean-out for spring.
You can continue to add fresh bedding as needed and use products like Standlee Flock Fresh for bedding support and PDZ Coop Refresher to manage moisture and odors.
Chickens are naturally hardy animals and generate a surprising amount of body heat. Supplemental heat inside the coop is generally unnecessary and can even be risky. As long as your flock has:
- Adequate space to perch
- Protection from drafts
- Room to fluff their feathers over their feet
They’ll stay cozy and comfortable all winter long.
Heated Water Products
While extra heat isn’t recommended for the coop itself, it is extremely useful for water sources. Cold weather plus water quickly leads to ice, and frozen water can cause dehydration and stress.
To keep water available, consider:
- Heated buckets
- Floating de-icers
- Heated base waterers
These products help prevent freeze-over and ensure your flock always has access to fresh water, even on the coldest days.
Light & Egg Production
It’s completely normal for egg production to slow down in winter. Shorter days and colder temperatures signal hens to conserve energy. For consistent laying, hens need about 14 hours of daylight per day.
Adding a low-wattage light on a timer can help supplement natural daylight and encourage continued egg production. If you choose to add lighting, keep it simple and consistent—gradual on/off timers are best to reduce stress on your flock.
With proper nutrition, smart coop management, reliable water solutions, and optional lighting support, winter chicken care can be simple and rewarding. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping your flock warm, healthy, and comfortable until spring arrives.