Cold Weather Care
Having large water containers just adds to the humidity issues in the coop. You will have to break ice layers on top of water containers throughout the winter season.
• Tarps provide good protection for outdoor runs: Heavy-duty chicken run covers serve as effective windbreaks, keeping your flock’ s outdoor area dry and sheltered. These covers ensure your hens remain healthy during winter by allowing natural light while protecting them from rain and snow.
When planning a chicken coop, prioritize space to prevent overcrowding, ensure shelter for weather protection and secure the area to guard against predators. Each element is crucial for a safe and comfortable environment for your chickens.
Ensuring Adequate Nutrition
Start by offering your flock extra protein-rich foods and adjusting feed to meet decreased energy needs. High protein levels will also help encourage the growth of healthy, thick plumage. Provide scratch grains or corn right before bedtime on cold days as the extra calories will help keep your birds warm at night. Many diets are also made with corn, which can be fed throughout winter.
Also, grit shouldn’ t be thought of as a summer supplement. Ensuring access to grit for proper digestion isn’ t just for the winter season but for the entire year.
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Reader Service No. 1003
If you have a wood stove, wood ash can be used in a dust bath to help chickens remove dirt, oil and parasites like mites and lice. To make a dust bath, you can mix wood ashes with sand, earth and diatomaceous earth.
Providing Supplemental Heat( If Necessary)
This is probably one of the most controversial topics. Plus, when it comes to electricity and heat in a chicken coop, safety is a priority.
Heat can keep your birds warm but having supplemental heat is also risky. Chicken coops and barns tragically will catch fire from heat lamps. Power outages are also another issue as birds that rely on heat may not develop the warm, thick feathers they need to withstand cold temperatures. Plus a sudden power outage could kill your flock and too much heat can also cause warm moisture to condense.
One reason supplemental heat may be necessary is if your birds are going through a heavy molt( when most chickens lose their feathers) and are vulnerable to extreme cold. As a chicken keeper, you must decide if supplemental heat is worth the risk. Chicken coop radiant heaters and panels are available at feed stores and online.
As winter’ s frosty grip tightens, chicken keepers face challenges in ensuring their flocks’ well-being and productivity. From dropping temperatures and shorter daylight hours to the increased risk of illness, the colder months demand careful planning and adaptation.
Reader Service No. 2568 www. chickenwhisperermagazine. com Winter 2024
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