They might not look like it because they are so small and tend to eat little tidbits, but chickens are big eaters. Like, really big eaters! Chickens need lots of calories at all stages of life in order to grow, stay healthy, and thrive.
But what so many amateur keepers don’t account for is the fact that chickens need even more food, and the right kinds of food, during the wintertime or any periods of prolonged cold weather.
If you fail to take care of your flock’s wintertime food requirements, they will get stressed, start to suffer, and may even lose weight. It also makes them more vulnerable to hypothermia, and I know you don’t want that to happen…
All Chickens Need Extra Calories During Cold Weather
If you take nothing else away from this article, remember this: chickens, of all breeds and all ages, need more calories in the wintertime or any time they are forced to live in prolonged cold weather.
The lower the temperature they are exposed to, the more they need to eat!
As a guideline, plan on a 50% total increase in the number of calories your chickens get every single day. If you want to look at it another way, they’ll need 1 ½ times the usual amount of food, assuming you don’t change anything about their diet.
However, if you live in a blisteringly cold place, you might need to double the number of calories they get!
Chickens Also Need Extra Protein in Cold Weather
Calories are only part of the cold-weather nutritional puzzle. Your birds will also need a similar increase in total protein intake to maintain muscle tone and energy.
Sure, I know lots of folks want to save money on feed costs and go with the cheapest, most energy-dense carbohydrates they can for the duration, but this is shortsighted and cuts corners on the overall health of your chickens.
Those bulk carbohydrates do play a part in the feeding plan, but they can’t be the only part: you must make sure you’ve got a variety of protein-rich snacks and mainstay feed for your flock.
More Food Equals Higher Body Temperature!
A chicken’s core body temperature is closely linked to their overall metabolism, and in cold weather, their metabolism starts to run higher, or hotter, instinctively so they don’t get too cold.
This naturally demands more energy to accomplish, and if those levels dip too low, the bird’s metabolism will likewise start to dip, which means the core body temperature will drop. That’s when hypothermia will take hold…
And before you mention it, yes, a chicken’s feathers are excellent insulation as long as they are in good shape and the bird is dry, but they aren’t enough alone to protect them from bitterly cold weather.
What are Good Winter Foods for Chickens?
The good news is you don’t have to make too many changes to the usual menu available to your birds to give them the extra calories and protein they need in the wintertime.
Consider all of the following “warming feeds”—foods that are calorie- or protein-dense, or both, and easily digested for energy:
- Layer Feed: Switching out the usual feed of your chickens for layer feed, even if they normally don’t get it or need it, can be a good option in the wintertime because it contains more protein and more calories overall. Mixing in one part layer feed to one part regular feed is a great way to cut costs while increasing the baseline level of calories that your flock gets.
- Corn: Cracked corn is a mainstay warming feed for chickens and other animals in the wintertime. It is very high in carbohydrates and minerals and will help keep your birds toasty warm. Serve it as a snack throughout the day or mix it in with other foods.
- Oats: Oats are sweet, tasty, easy to digest, and a favorite of chickens. More importantly, they are a great source of energy and various vitamins and minerals. This is another mainstay that I reach for with my own birds in the wintertime.
- Suet Cakes: A favorite of all kinds of birds the world over, suet cakes are high in fat, high in protein, and also in calories, just what our chickens need for staying toasty warm even when the weather is at its coldest.
- Pumpkins: Chances are you’ve got easy access to pumpkins as the end of fall rolls around. Highly nutritious with tender and easily digestible flesh, it’s easy to process and serve to chickens. Just be advised that the flesh will freeze in cold weather and become inedible to them.
- Sunflower Seeds: Another favorite that all chickens go crazy for. Sunflower seeds are one of the very best sources of fat and protein, and they are nutritional superstars besides.
- Mealworms: Pretty much all birds love mealworms, and chickens are certainly no exception. Packed with protein, fat, and minerals, this is the third option in the trifecta along with corn and oats that will help your chickens make it through the winter with flying colors.
- Scrambled Eggs: I know what you’re thinking, and don’t worry—as long as you scramble and cook the eggs, your chickens won’t be incentivized to start eating their own. Scrambled eggs are super nutritious and loaded with protein, making them a great snack option or mix-in with other foods and treats during cold weather.
Winter Feeding Schedule
However you are feeding your flock during warmer weather, chances are good you’ll want to feed them more often in cold weather. You still want to stick to a schedule, though.
I myself prefer a breakfast, lunch, and dinner approach, with a snack or two in between if they need it. As soon as they get up and get let out of the coop, feed them. Then check in on them and see how they are doing between 12:00 and 2:00.
If you notice them starting to slow down or act hungry, feed them again. Then you’ll give them a final meal a little bit before sunset to tide them over until the following morning.
If at any time your birds seem to be a little sluggish, don’t hesitate to give them a bit of corn, some mealworms, or another high-energy food.
Winter Feeding Procedures
Winter often complicates the mechanics and logistics of feeding your chickens effectively, not just feeding them enough.
Account for the following:
Keep Usual Feeding Areas Clear of Snow and Ice
The onset of winter weather means it is likely you’ll have to clear snow, ice, mud, and slush from the area where you house your chickens.
All will create unsanitary conditions and contaminate food, even if it’s just with moisture. But these conditions also aggravate birds which can cause tempers to flare during feeding time.
Don’t Scatter Snacks or Meals in Snow or Mud
If your chickens are cold, I know good and well that you will be cold too. Despite this, resist the temptation to just throw corn, oats, mealworms, or anything else into the snow or mud and let your chickens peck at it…
This will cost them energy, and standing in wet conditions will make them more vulnerable to hypothermia, frostbite, and other maladies.
Yeah, it’s fun watching your chickens explore and peck around in the snow, but it’s just not worth it.
If you must, put their food down on a tray or in bowls to keep it clean and up off the ground, or buy and use a feeder for the purpose.
Consider Hanging Foods to Keep them Clean
If you want to feed certain whole foods to your chickens, like leafy greens, consider hanging them in the run to keep them up out of the snow and give your birds a little bit of engagement and entertainment while they eat.
Suet blocks are also a great candidate for this approach.
Free-Ranging in the Wintertime
Don’t count on your birds finding a meaningful amount of calories when foraging, even if they normally do in the spring and summer.
For starters, most of their food will be gone or inaccessible during this time, be it plant or insect.
Your chickens simply won’t be as successful because that food will either be absent or difficult to locate because it is hibernating, has died back, or is buried under snow or ice.
Besides, chickens simply aren’t as motivated to forage intensively during the winter.
It’s a good idea to let them do it anyway to get some exercise and keep them engaged, but you must be prepared to take care of all of their calorie requirements at this time.
Don’t Forget to Keep Water Sources Thawed and Fresh, Too
Depending on their living arrangements, you might need to invest in a heated waterer and install it correctly to prevent any chance of an accident involving the cord or the unit itself.
Dehydration also promotes hypothermia, so letting their water source freeze over for even a short period of time can be disastrous. And no, chickens can’t lick icicles or eat snow to get the water they need. That’s all bunk.
If push comes to shove, you might need to periodically bring warm water to refill their usual source.
What are the Best Cold-Hardy Chicken Breeds?
You can make your life a little easier and save a little bit of money on winter food if you pick chicken breeds known for winter hardiness.
Good options include the Brahma, which is large and heavily feathered. Their greater body mass helps them stay warm and resist cold. Orpingtons are another solid winter weather choice for their fluffy, dense plumage.
The very best cold weather birds around are Chanteclers. This Canadian breed was bred specifically for exceptional cold resistance, and they have very small combs and wattles to reduce frostbite vulnerability.
Other decent choices include Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, and Wyandottes.
