How to Prepare your Chicken Coop for Winter
It’s Fall Y’all! Well, sorta. It’s still pretty warm here in Texas. Even so, I am starting to think about the colder months and what’s needed to prepare the chicken coop for fall and winter.
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Prepare the Coop Area for Cold Weather
We only really have a few cold months from January through March each year. Our coop and the run area are at our back fence. So, since it’s warm nine months out of the year, the Bearded Rooster purposely put spaces between the slats of the fence to allow the wind to get through.
I’ve started saving chicken feed bags and dog food bags to staple along the fence. Last year, I used commercial-grade trash bags. I’ve also seen some people staple these on the inside of their coop to add an extra layer of insulation.
Another great way to add insulation is to wrap the run in plastic. We add a tarp to the other side to block the wind.
Evaluate your coop and run. What else can you do to prepare your coop for Winter?
Buy Hay or Straw Bales Early
A few years ago, I put off purchasing hay bales and couldn’t find them when I wanted them. With Halloween approaching, you should be able to find some just about anywhere.
I like to place it along the fence to help block the wind. When it gets below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, I wait to let the chickens free-range and leave them in the run a little longer each day. The hay bales give them something else to hop up on. Please it also helps block the wind.
Once January and February come around, I’ll spread the hay in the bottom of the coop. and run The girls love to scratch around in it plus they can bed down if it gets too cold.
There are lots of different opinions about hay and straw. Straw is hollow and makes a good insulator by trapping air inside but it can also harbor mites. Hay tends to get moldy. Just be vigilant about whichever you decide to purchase.
Molting
If your girls haven’t started molting yet, they soon will be. Up their protein level by giving high protein treats. Check out that blog post for more info.
Deep Clean the Coop
Many people take this time while the days are still warm to remove old soiled bedding and deep clean before winter. With feathers everywhere from molting, I’ll wait until the last girl has gone through their molt and replace everything.
Check out my post on what I do to clean the coop.
Check for Repairs to Prepare your Chicken Coop for Winter
During fall, many predators are more active and hunt more frequently to build up fat stores for winter. Check fences, coop walls, and floor for any place a predator can get in. A great way to do this (you need a partner) is to shine a flashlight from outside the coop. Visually inspect for any light coming through.
If you are in a remote area with a lot of predators, a skirt around the edge of the run will help deter predators from digging.
Next, how’s the roof? Do you need to replace any shingles?
Inspect the roost bars for any rough spots and replace them if necessary. Chickens can easily get a puncture wound that could lead to bumblefoot.
Do you have lighting in the coop? Check for loose or frayed wires. Solar lights are a good alternative if you don’t have electricity in your coop. Although, you may not have much lighting if you go days without sun. We purchased some battery-operated lights that hang from the ceiling. It gives us just enough light for doing chores or collecting eggs.
Some people will add supplemental light to increase egg production in winter. We chose not to do this. If you do, add in the morning, that way your chickens don’t get caught out at night.
Preparing your Birds for Winter
Chickens tolerate cold weather much better than hot. There’s not much they need but here are a few things you can do to prepare for winter.
Stock up on extra feed
If you are in an area where you get snowed in, keep an extra bag or two of feed on hand. Every year, I read where people have run out of food and can’t get out of their houses. We store our feed in galvanized bins to keep the mice out.
Water
Do you have issues with waterers freezing up? Chickens need fresh water at all times. Luckily, we only have a few days where we have issues with this. But this may be something you need to consider and plan for.
Do you use a hose to fill up your waterers. If so, check for any holes or leaks and replace. The last thing you want is to add any additional ice. My luck, I’d slip and break a hip.
Indoor dust bath
Dust bathing is important for your chicken’s health. Our main dust bath area is in the backyard so with all the rain we had earlier this year, I added an additional one in the run. It took them a few weeks before they started using it but now I find them in there frequently.
Treats for Fall
Pumpkin isn’t just for people. It’s high in Zinc and antioxidants and some people believe it’s a natural preventive for worms (although not scientifically proven). Our girls don’t really care for it, but I’m not giving up. I’ll cut one open and try again this year.
Scratch is great to offer in cooler months. If your birds are spending more time in the run during fall and winter, sprinkling it in the bedding, gives them something to do and helps turn the bedding.
Suet is higher in calories, and the oil is more energy-dense. It will provide extra calories which when cold, your birds need to help keep warm. You can even DIY one, just check out my recipe.
Mealworms are always a favorite and great for a boost in protein.
If your birds aren’t able to free-range in the colder months, be sure and offer grit to aid in digestion.
Plan for a Decrease in Egg Production
With the shorter days and colder temps, you will notice a drop in egg production. This summer I froze some so I’d have on hand. I’ll use them for scrambled eggs or in recipes.mWe’ll see how they are this winter.
Our sons take a dozen home each week and we frequently give to friends and neighbors. I will still probably buy a few dozen around the holidays.
I’m ready for cooler temperatures and I’m done preparing the chicken coop for Winter. What do you do to get ready?
