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Chicken Coop Care: How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter
January 22, 2025
How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter
Here at our headquarters in rural Pennsylvania, we’re in the thick of the winter season. This week, we’re facing an extreme cold warning, with temperatures expected to be well below freezing for the next several days.If this is your first time facing cold weather with your flock, you might wonder how to keep chickens warm in winter.
A common misconception among beginners is that an external heat source is essential for cold weather. This is not the case—there is no need to heat a chicken coop.
At Myers Poultry, we don’t recommend using an external heat source for two reasons:
1. Your chickens will become dependent on it.
Artificial heat does more harm than good for your chickens. Over time, they may lose the ability to regulate their body heat properly. The only time external heat is appropriate or necessary is when you are brooding baby chicks.
2. External heat always poses a fire risk.
No matter how many safety features it has, a chicken coop heater will always pose some level of fire risk. Plenty of alternative methods exist to keep your backyard flock warm, safe, and happy in the winter.
In general, chickens are hardy and resilient animals that can withstand the cold—as long as you keep them dry. Here are the 3 main things your chickens need in cold weather:
- A well-insulated coop
- Additional food and water
- Treatment and protection from common winter ailments
Winter Coop Insulation
The best way to keep your chickens warm when the temperatures drop is good old-fashioned insulation. With sufficient insulation, there is no need to heat a chicken coop—their body heat should do the work.
Before adding insulation, be sure to seal any holes or gaps with caulk. Pay special attention to areas near doors and windows. A draft-free environment will ensure the insulation can do its job properly.
The Best Insulation Materials
The materials that work best for you depend on your budget and the size of your shelter.
If you have a small chicken coop, reflective foil insulation is a quick and cost-effective way to insulate your coop. This material is readily available at most agricultural or home improvement stores.
Starting with a clean and empty coop, you can line the floors and walls of your enclosure with the reflective foil. Secure it in place with reflective foil tape, and your chickens will be good to go.
If you have a large chicken coop, rigid foam boards or fiberglass might be a good option. This material is also easy to cut to size, so you can cover a lot of square footage nicely.
If you choose one of these options to insulate your coop, make sure your chickens cannot peck at the material. Curious chickens may try to eat fiberglass or foam, and it can be harmful if ingested. A top layer of plywood to cover it should keep your chickens safe.
If you already have ventilation or vent holes installed, do not cover your vents with insulation. We’ll talk more about the importance of proper ventilation later.
Add Additional Litter
Another way to insulate your coop is to add more litter. We recommend using straw or pine shavings, as these options are safe for your chickens’ sensitive respiratory systems.
A small chicken coop benefits greatly from additional litter, as it maximizes heat retention in confined spaces.
In the warmer months, 2-3 inches of litter is usually sufficient to keep your flock clean and happy. In the winter, you can increase this to about 5-6 inches. This extra bedding will provide a barrier between your chickens and the cold ground.
Be sure to check your litter regularly and spot clean your coop often to prevent moisture and ammonia from building up.
Exterior Coop Protection
Items you may already have on hand—like straw bales or extra bags of feed—can shore up the sides of your coop and protect your birds from strong gusts of wind and snow.
A clear plastic tarp covering parts of chicken coop and run can also give your flock added protection from the wind.
To best protect the outside of your shelter, it's helpful to know which direction the wind usually blows in. This side of the coop will need the most protection.
For a well-insulated chicken coop, remember to:
1. Insulate the interior, as well as the exterior of your coop.
2. Seal any holes and gaps with caulk to ensure it is draft-free.
3. Avoid covering any ventilation holes with your insulation.
With proper insulation, there is no need to introduce a chicken coop heater to your flock.
What Does It Mean to Be Draft-Free, Yet Well-Ventilated?
A draft-free coop means there is no air hitting your chickens at the bottom or sides of the shelter—especially where they sleep or roost. You can ensure this by sealing any gaps with caulk, or adding extra insulation in this area.
To prevent moisture from building up, you still need to keep the coop well-ventilated. Ventilation needs to be higher up, towards the ceiling of the coop. Air circulating in this area will not chill your birds the way a draft would, because it will not be directly hitting your chickens.
If your coop is lacking ventilation, drill a few small holes near the ceiling to allow excess air to escape. To keep pests out of the coop, make sure the holes are small and covered with wire mesh or a plastic tarp. You can do the same thing with windows—crack them slightly, but ensure there is mesh or tarp covering the opening.
For a more permanent solution, it's a good idea to install a gable vent or wind turbine at the top of the shelter. This will keep fresh air flowing in the coop all year long.
Essentially, a well-insulated chicken coop should not be completely airtight. Good ventilation prevents respiratory problems, frostbite, and other issues within your flock.
Food And Water: Adjusting Your Routine for Winter
Since your flock is expending a lot of calories to stay warm, the nutritional needs of your chickens will change slightly in the winter.
Increase Protein Intake
Some of our favorite high-protein treats include mealworms, soldier fly larvae, and sunflower seeds. To extend their longevity, consider putting these tasty treats in a treat dispensing toy or hanging feeder.
While increasing protein is a good thing, it is possible to overdo it as well. Just make sure to provide treats in moderation. Your chickens’ main source of nutrition and protein should always be their feed, rather than treats.
Access to Fresh Water
Fresh water poses some challenges in the winter, but there are many ways to keep your flock hydrated. The best method for you depends on your local climate conditions, as well as the amount of time you have available.You can use an electric water heater to stop your waterer from freezing. However, remember that anything using electricity can be a fire risk.
If properly used and maintained, electric water heaters are much less likely to cause a fire than a coop heater. Their purpose is simply to keep the water from freezing, so they typically don’t reach above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They also do not provide ambient heat that your chickens will become used to.
If you decide to use an electric water heater, make sure you properly ground the cord and plug. Avoiding the use of extension cords in your shelter is also best practice. The National Fire Prevention Agency (NFPA) provides some good tips to help you maintain your backyard setup properly.
Other methods we recommend that don’t involve electricity include:
Insulated or double walled waterers: This will prevent your water from freezing as quickly. You can purchase insulated waterers at agricultural stores, or make your own DIY version at home. Simply place your waterer in a container lined with straw, foil, or foam insulation to prevent ice from forming.
Rubber bowls: Rubber bowls make the water maintenance process a bit easier. Instead of thawing out frozen waterers, you can easily remove ice and replace these bowls with fresh water.
Frequent checks: If possible, replace or refresh your chickens’ water multiple times a day to prevent freezing. This is probably the best and safest method to keep your chickens hydrated, depending on your local climate conditions. You can also consider adding an electrolyte supplement for your chickens to keep them hydrated.
Common Issues for Chickens in the Winter
Even with the best possible care, your chickens are still susceptible to certain ailments, especially in the cold months. Here are a few common things to watch out for in your flock.
Frostbite in Chickens
Without proper care or intervention, even cold-hardy chicken breeds are susceptible to frostbite.
Chickens with prominent combs and wattles—like the White Leghorn or Rhode Island Red—are more likely to get frostbite. Certain chicken breeds need extra care and maintenance in the winter to ensure their combs don’t freeze.
Always look for early signs of frostbite. These signs include discoloration, swelling, or blisters. If you notice any symptoms, act quickly to prevent it from getting worse.
If you think your chicken has frostbite, move it to a warm area like a shed or garage. Then, call a nearby poultry veterinarian for the best treatment.
Respiratory Issues
Excessively dirty bedding or moisture buildup can cause respiratory issues in your flock.
To prevent this, make sure you are spot cleaning your coop often and providing your chickens with fresh bedding regularly.
To keep fresh air in the coop, make sure there is enough ventilation. If you notice any water or moisture beading on the ceilings and windows, that is a telltale sign you need more ventilation.
Bumblefoot
Bumblefoot is a bacterial infection that causes redness, swelling, and lameness in the feet of your chickens. This can occur when the floor of the coop gets wet or cold for extended periods of time.
Always keep your litter clean, dry, and plentiful to protect your chickens’ feet.
Dehydration
Chickens can become more easily dehydrated in the winter if their water source is not properly maintained. Check their water often to ensure it is not frozen, and consider adding electrolytes to your flock's diet.
Less Eggs
While this isn't necessarily a health issue, it is a common (and natural) occurrence for chickens in the winter.
Egg production will slow down because chickens need to conserve their energy and resources to stay warm. The shorter days also impact egg laying, as chickens need at least 12-14 hours of daylight to lay consistently.
You can keep egg production going by providing your chickens with plentiful food, water, and warmth. A happy and healthy environment is the best way to keep your flock laying in the colder months.
Your Key to Success: How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter
Winter can pose a bit of a challenge for backyard chicken keepers, especially for those that are completely new to the world of poultry. But with a bit of planning and the right materials, you and your flock can have a safe, successful winter season.
To keep your flock thriving, make sure to:
1. Insulate the inside and outside of your chicken coop.
2. Add additional protein to your chickens’ diet and refresh their waterer often.
3. Be on the lookout for signs of frostbite and other common ailments.
If you have any questions about caring for your flock this winter, feel free to contact us at Myers Poultry.