Winter is hard on poultry and with winter approaching rapidly, you want to help make them be as comfortable as possible!
Heres some helpful tips and tricks!
NUTRIENTS: Chickens need greens for nutrients, but with all the snow, chickens can’t get what they need. One of the easiest ways to give your birds greens is to hang a cabbage on a string! This gives them something to do and it’s a great source of nutrients. Another way is by giving them dark, leafy greens such as spinach or kale. This helps boost their immune system and helps them maintain a healthy diet during those harsh months!
ADDED PROTEIN SNACKS: Give your chickens protein rich snacks to entertain them and help them to stay heathy during the winter. Good options: Carrots (cooked or raw), eggs (cooked), fish (raw or cooked), nuts & seeds, and of course….. mealworms!!
DO’S | DON’TS |
---|---|
Use normal waterers, fill them 1/4 way and re-fill it 4 times each day. It’s more work, but less risky. | Don’t use heated waterers! They could very easily catch the shavings on fire. |
Make a run that is wrapped in plastic and has a roof so that snow/ice does not get inside of the run. | Let feathered-footed birds out in the snow. They could get frost-bite due foot feathers holding water. |
Use the deep-litter method. Clean your coop every 1.5 – 2 months. Keep adding shavings on top of the old. Poop creates and holds heat! | Clean chicken coop every 2 weeks. Fresh shavings don’t hold heat! |