Keeping Chickens in Winter
(3-minute read)
Winter’s nearly here! We’re already experiencing the cold, wet, dark nights. Whilst we’re tucked up indoors with the heating on … Let's think how our birds will fare being outside in the cold? The simple answer is … just fine, with a few small adjustments.
Cold - luckily, in the UK, temperatures seldom get cold enough to cause frostbite, and bird feathers are very good at insulating against the cold. A drop in temperature isn’t usually a concern; just ensure your birds have shelter to get away from the wind chill. You could place a simple min/max thermometer inside the coop to monitor the temperatures, as these should be several degrees Celsius higher than the outside temperature. On really cold days, check the drinking water regularly to make sure it hasn’t frozen.
Wet - most birds do not enjoy driving rain or wading through mud (except perhaps ducks). Hopefully, your run will comply with the avian influenza housing order guidance and already have a waterproof, fully covered roof to prevent wild bird faeces from falling in from above. This also protects against water runoff (which can still carry the virus).
You could add a similar rain barrier to the most exposed sides of the run to reduce driving rain. Ensure any tarpaulin is tied securely to prevent flapping and rolling down the road in strong winds.
Wooden pallets (or similar) can be useful to make an island for your birds to get away from the worst of the mud and sludge. Please file any sharp edges and remove loose nails that may cause damage to your bird’s feet.
Desiccant powders can also help with wet ground, but these won’t be enough to soak up a puddle!
Respiratory infections - wintertime carries an increased risk of respiratory infections, here’s some top tips to reduce the risk:
Clean and dry - ensure your birds' coop is cleaned out more frequently - they spend more time indoors (they're early to bed and staying out of the cold), and they will produce more faeces in there, which can increase moisture levels and ammonia levels. In extreme conditions, ammonia can damage the eyes and airway, which is likely to lead to a respiratory infection. Keeping the coop clean and dry is key.
Ventilation: It’s essential to maintain some airflow in the coop. Your chicken coop should have several small holes near the roof; these are essential for letting fresh air in and stale air out. Do not be tempted to block the holes to keep your chickens warm! A failure to properly ventilate the coop can cause health issues, including damage to the airways. Ensure the perches are positioned below any ventilation holes, so air exchange occurs above your birds’ heads, not through them! Birds need a supply of fresh air, but they need to be protected against direct drafts. Consider repositioning the coop, if possible, to protect it from wind and to fill any cracks.
Dusty bedding - can lead to trouble! Dusty bedding will be disturbed whenever the birds move in the coop, increasing the risk of your birds inhaling dust particles, which can be harmful to their airways. Birds have a unique respiratory system, which includes air sacs, birds can’t easily clear dust particles that are inhaled into the air sacs, so it’s best avoided - ensure any material used in the coop is dust extracted.
As with any old or sick birds, they will require extra monitoring during cold snaps.