Cozy Chicks Keeping Warm

By Elam Miller

When the temperatures start to dip and frost comes for the windows, no one wants to go outside. It ' s much more tempting to curl up by a cozy fireplace while something warm and delicious is cooking in the kitchen. As winter approaches, it ' s natural to spend more and more time indoors. But what about the family flock? You might feel guilty watching from the frost-covered window as your coop rides out the cold sans fireplace or blankets.

Of course, chickens can survive harsh climates and, in fact, have several natural defenses against the cold. Still, when you see your hens puffed up or frost on the coop, the urge to plug in the heat lamp can be overwhelming.

Luckily, with a few tried-and-tested strategies, you can keep your chickens healthy and warm without the need for a heat lamp or a high energy bill.

Natural Defense

While some chicken breeds are better suited to cold weather than others, most breeds will survive and, with proper care, thrive throughout the winter months in any location.

The best natural defense chickens have is their feathers. One of nature ' s tiny miracles, feathers function to provide warmth and insulation to your chicken during harsh climate conditions. Feathers trap warm air against the bird ' s body, creating warm air pockets. For most breeds, as long as the bird is protected from strong winds, this natural insulation

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