1 black and 2 brown chickens looking for food on the ground covered in snow

How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter Without Electricity

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Winter can be a challenging time for chicken keepers, especially in cold climates where temperatures drop significantly. I live in Wisconsin where we are known to have brutal winters. I’m a transplant, and during my first winter here, we had a stretch of several weeks where the temperatures stayed around -20. NEGATIVE 20. What was I thinking moving here? Oh, the things we do for love.

We don’t have electricity running to our coop, but we do run a very long extension cord from the house during these extreme cold stretches. However, what do you do if you don’t have that option, or worse, you have a power outage? Keeping your feathered friends warm during cold weather without the use of electricity requires careful planning and the use of natural heat sources. Here’s a guide to help you ensure your chickens stay warm, healthy, and comfortable during the colder months.

2 Plymouth Barred Rocks roosting on a branch in the snow

Choose Cold Tolerant Breeds

When it comes to keeping chickens in cold winter climates, choosing cold-hardy breeds is essential. Certain chicken breeds are naturally better suited to withstand freezing temperatures, thanks to their physical characteristics and adaptability. Breeds of chickens with smaller combs and hardy birds, such as Plymouth Rock, are better suited for colder temperatures as they are more resistant to frostbite.   Check out this article for a complete guide to cold, hardy chicken breeds.

A women and 2 men putting plastic around a chicken run

Winterize Chicken Coop and Run

Winterizing your chicken coop and run is essential to ensure your flock stays warm, healthy, and safe during the colder months. Proper preparation can help protect your chickens from the harsh effects of winter weather, such as freezing temperatures, snow, and strong winds.

Consider Chicken Coop Design

The design of your chicken coop plays a significant role in how well it retains heat. Concrete floors, for instance, can be very cold and should be covered with thick bedding. Elevating the coop off the ground can also help reduce heat loss. Ensuring the coop is built with the cold season in mind will make winter weather easier to manage.

Insulate the Coop

Proper insulation is the first step in maintaining a warm chicken coop during cold temperatures. Using materials like straw or hay bales around the coop can provide an additional barrier against cold air. Well-insulated windows and doors prevent drafts and retain the coop’s own heat, ensuring your chickens are cozy even on the coldest nights.

chicken run wrapped in clear plastic

Seal the Coop Against Cold Winds

Covering windows and vents with clear plastic sheeting can help prevent cold wind from entering while still allowing daylight hours to brighten the coop. This method is a good idea to maintain warmth without sacrificing light. As I mentioned, our Wisconsin winters can be brutal, so we wrap our entire chicken run in plastic with the help of furring strips.  Check out this article to find out how we winterized our chicken coop and run.

Just remember, it is crucial that you still provide adequate ventilation.  Chickens generate moisture through breathing and their droppings. Without proper ventilation, this moisture can accumulate, leading to high humidity levels and condensation inside the coop. This creates a breeding ground for respiratory issues and increases the risk of frostbite.

black rooster and Guinea fowl inside chicken coop

Utilize the Deep Litter Method

The deep litter method is a great way to trap heat naturally inside your chicken coop. By adding layers of wood shavings or wood chips to the coop floor, the chicken manure mixes with the bedding, creating a composting effect that generates warmth. This method not only helps in keeping the coop warm but also adds a layer of insulation against the cold ground.

Group of white chickens sitting on the roost in the chicken coop

Maximize Body Heat

Chickens are surprisingly good at generating their own heat, especially when they roost together. Ensuring your chickens have enough space to huddle on roosting bars will allow them to share body heat. Using wider boards is good for roosting during the cold months. This way, they can keep their feet flat and tucked under their bellies while they roost.

Trap Heat With Thermal Mass

Thermal mass involves using materials that absorb and slowly release heat, helping to stabilize temperatures in the coop.

  • Materials: Concrete blocks, bricks, or large stones can be used inside the coop. During the day, these materials absorb heat, which they gradually release during the night, helping to keep the coop warmer.
  • Placement: Place thermal mass materials in the sun or along the walls or under the roosting area where they can absorb the most heat.
3 heated chicken waterers

Keep Water from Freezing

One of the biggest challenges during winter is ensuring your chickens have access to fresh water. A heated waterer is ideal, but if that’s not an option, try using water bottles wrapped in warm water, ping-pong balls, or insulated containers. Make sure you check and refill your chickens’ water often to prevent it from freezing. For other ways to keep your water from freezing, check out this article.

3 brown chickens in the snow eating table scraps

Feed Warm, Nutritious Food

Keeping chickens warm during the winter involves more than just insulating the coop; their nutrition plays a crucial role in helping them generate and maintain body heat. Here’s how to ensure your chickens stay warm and healthy through the colder months by focusing on their diet.

1. Increase Caloric Intake

In winter, chickens expend more energy trying to stay warm, so they need extra calories. Providing a higher-calorie diet helps them generate the heat necessary to keep warm. Adding scratch grains to their diet, especially in the late afternoon, is a great way to give them a boost. The act of digesting grains generates internal heat, which helps keep them warm through cold nights.

2. Offer Warm Mash

Feeding your chickens a warm mash on cold mornings can help raise their body temperature from the inside out. You can make warm mash by mixing their regular feed with warm water or milk. Adding a bit of molasses can also provide a quick energy source, though it should be given in moderation to avoid digestive issues.

3. Ensure Proper Protein Levels

Protein is essential for maintaining body heat, so make sure your chickens are getting enough. During colder months, consider supplementing their diet with protein-rich treats like mealworms, sunflower seeds, or even cooked eggs. I like to order live crickets for my chickens in the winter.  This not only supports their overall health but also provides mental stimulation.

4. Increase Fat Intake

Fats are another important nutrient for generating body heat. Offering treats like flock block or a small amount of cracked corn can help your chickens stay warm. However, be careful not to overfeed, as too much fat can lead to obesity and related health issues.

5. Offer High-Fiber Foods

High-fiber foods can also help keep your chickens warm. Vegetables like pumpkins, squash, and leafy greens can be added to their diet. These foods take longer to digest, helping to generate more internal heat and keep their bodies warm during cold weather.

6. Avoid Excessive Treats

While it’s tempting to spoil your chickens with treats during the winter, it’s important to keep their diet balanced. Too many treats can lead to an unbalanced diet, which can affect their health and egg production. Focus on providing a nutritious, well-rounded diet with a few additional winter-appropriate supplements to help them stay warm.

7. Consider Using Nutritious Supplements

Supplements like probiotics, garlic, and apple cider vinegar can help maintain your chickens’ overall health, particularly in winter. A healthy gut is better at absorbing nutrients, which is vital for generating the energy they need to keep warm.

Prepare for Emergencies

Winter storms can cause power outages, so it’s important to have a backup plan. Stock up on extra straw, wood shavings, and scratch grains, and keep a supply of warm water bottles ready. Knowing how to keep your chickens warm without relying on electricity will give you peace of mind during the winter months.

Things to Avoid

A brooder heat lamp turned on

Heat Lamps

Please, NEVER use heat lamps for chickens. Especially in the winter. I know this article is for when you don’t have electricity, but I believe so strongly in this, I wanted to mention it. Not only are heat lamps unnecessary for chickens in the winter, but they also pose a significant fire risk, especially in a coop filled with flammable materials like straw, wood shavings, and feathers. If the lamp is knocked over or the bulb shatters, it can easily ignite the bedding or coop structure, leading to a devastating fire that could harm or kill your flock and destroy your coop. To learn more, check out this article.

Brown chicken with bright red comb and waddle

Petroleum Jelly on Combs

The idea that applying petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) to chickens’ combs and wattles can prevent frostbite is a commonly shared practice among chicken keepers, but it’s actually more myth than effective prevention. Let me explain why.

Petroleum jelly provides only a temporary barrier against moisture. While it may help reduce direct exposure to frost for a short period, it doesn’t offer long-lasting protection. Frostbite occurs when cold temperatures and moisture cause tissue to freeze, leading to cell damage. Petroleum jelly may initially repel moisture, but as it wears off, it can leave the skin more vulnerable to cold exposure, especially if the jelly traps any moisture underneath it.

a group of brown chickens crowded together in the snow

Chicken Sweaters

Putting sweaters on chickens might seem like a cute and cozy idea, but it can actually be harmful to the birds for several reasons.

  • Feathers Provide Adequate Warmth: Chickens have a natural insulation system—their feathers. Feathers trap warm air close to the body, helping chickens regulate their body temperature. A sweater can compress the feathers, reducing their insulating effectiveness and making the chicken colder rather than warmer.
  • Limited Mobility: Chickens need to be able to move freely to stay warm. They fluff up their feathers, perch, and move around to generate and retain heat. A sweater can restrict their movement, preventing them from regulating their body temperature naturally.
  • Sweaters Can Cause Overheating: Chickens can overheat easily, even in cold weather. If a chicken becomes too warm and cannot cool down because of a restrictive sweater, it can lead to heat stress. Chickens regulate their temperature by adjusting their feathers, and a sweater interferes with this process.
  • Dampness and Frostbite: Sweaters can absorb moisture, whether from rain, snow, or condensation. A wet sweater can cause a chicken to become chilled, and the trapped moisture against their skin can increase the risk of frostbite.
New Hampshire Red Chickens

Overcrowding

Overcrowding chickens to generate more body heat can lead to stress and aggression. Chickens need space to move around and establish their pecking order; otherwise, they may injure each other.

Bottom Line

By following these tips, chicken owners can ensure their backyard chickens stay warm and continue to produce fresh eggs even during the coldest winter days without electricity. Remember, the key is to use natural methods to trap heat and keep your coop well-insulated while providing your chickens with the proper care and nutrition they need to thrive in cold climates.


What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments!

Related Posts:
How Cold Can Chickens Tolerate in the Winter?
Best Bedding Options for Chickens in the Winter
How to Winterize Your Chicken Coop and Run
Easy Ways to Keep Chicken Water from Freezing
The Dangers of Using Heat Lamps for Chickens

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