Chickens (& Ducks) in Winter: Week 6

Keeping chickens and other poultry in winter isn’t difficult but it does require some preparation as repairing or setting up fences in 3ft deep snow or scrambling with extension cords and heat lamps to prevent frost bite in sub zero conditions isn’t easy. Each of the next 6 weeks, I’ll focus on one aspect of caring for chickens and ducks in winter


The main things to prepare for are:

• Week 1: how to keep water (& food) from freezing 
• Week 2: proper shelter from harsh conditions
• Week 3: managing snow load and depth on shelters and fences
• Week 4: easy human access for regular cleaning, maintenance, and care
• Week 5: managing a change or possible increase in type and number of predators
• Week 6: managing boredom (especially if they are used to pasturing in summer)​

Week 6: managing boredom (especially if they are used to pasturing in summer)

Cabin fever isn’t just an affliction of humans, poultry feels it too! Even though it’s usually called being cooped up ;). Here ‘ll mention the ways I keep coop boredom at bay so the hens are healthy AND happy!

Food Treats!!! the gold mine. Hens (chickens and ducks) love food. It is their reason for being as they eat to eat, eat, eat so they can lay those golden eggs. But there are a few tricks so that it gives them the most benefit and doesn’t become harmful.

• don’t give constantly but spread throughout the day: you don’t want to give them so much that they don’t get the proper nutrition they need. But don’t worry about that too much as they will decide what to eat and what they need.
• give it at different times each day: make it variable or unpredictable. The more they expect something at a specific time, the more they will complain if they don’t get it.
• make it take longer for them to eat: make it harder to reach, harder to get to, harder to eat. Its the journey that matters. Most animals spend a majority of their lives searching for food. It’s there entertainment since they don’t have netflix.
• put a few around so all can share and not fight over it: chickens especially are ‘the grass is always greener’ type of creatures. If they see one hen enjoying something they want THAT one, not the identical one you put right in front of them so spread pieces out so they can move around. It also gives them good exercise and lets the lower down in the pecking order a chance to get some treats too.
• consider if it’s gonna freeze: mostly the birds won’t mind and will still peck at and eat a frozen cabbage but it might be more difficult is you put out some oatmeal and then it freezes, so warm it up first!
• high protein &/or fat is best! just like the first juicy, fat insects of spring, the hens will love grubs, cooked eggs, tuna, oatmeal filled with different nuts & seeds, and more! It will help them be more comfortable and happy in the cold.​