How to Store Hens and Chicks for Winter

It takes more than just a few brisk days to cause discomfort to a chicken. Their metabolism changes along with the season, making them adapt easily to the weather, as it grows colder. But, when the temperatures dip below freezing, hen and chick owners should start to be concerned about the health of their flock. As winter approaches, it is important to prepare well in advance, to ensure the well-being of your chickens.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken coop
  • Roosting perches
  • Loose hay
  • Grain
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Barriers
  • Heating lamp
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Instructions

    • 1

      Invest in a chicken coop to provide your hens and chicks shelter from the outside temperatures. This way the flock will stay dry and away from cold drafts of air.

    • 2

      Place comfortable wooden roosting perches in the coop. This will allow the chickens to cuddle and stay warm. In the winter, chickens typically like to fluff their feathers, and share their body heat by roosting close to each other.

    • 3

      Install a heat lamp and point it towards the hen's water source to prevent it from freezing. The hens' comfort level will increase when offered non-frozen water -- and when the hens are comfortable, they may also produce more eggs.

    • 4

      Place a thick layer of loose hay in the chicken coop.

    • 5

      Provide a light feeding of grain in the morning, and a heavy feeding of grain in the afternoon. Black-oil sunflower seeds have a high fat content: If added to the feed, these may help the flock stay warm.

    • 6

      Protect the flock's combs and waddles from frostbite -- should it get very cold -- with a layer of petroleum jelly. This should be applied every few days.

    • 7

      Use barriers and a heating lamp, if you are brooding chicks. This will protect them from dangerously cold drafts. Cold chicks will gather close to each other, directly under the lamp; while warm chicks will stay away from it.