Posted on Nov 27, 2023 at 6:00 pm by Emily Q
You have chickens and you wonder how to protect them from the cold during winter without using electricity?
Don’t panic, there are several tricks to keep your poultry healthy and warm despite the freezing temperatures. Here are our tips to ensure their comfort and well-being during this delicate period.
Table of Contents
1. An insulated shelter: the key to effective protection
The first element to consider is the shelter for your chickens. Indeed, a good shelter will be the best protection against the cold. It must be sufficiently insulated to retain the animals’ body heat and prevent drafts. To do this, prioritize:
- A solid and waterproof construction with a well-covered roof
- Insulating materials such as wood or polystyrene
- An elevated floor to avoid moisture
Feel free to add a door that you will close at night to keep the heat inside while ventilating the henhouse during the day.
2. Straw: your ally for better insulation
Straw is an excellent natural and inexpensive insulator. Place a thick layer of straw on the floor of the henhouse to provide a cozy bedding for your chickens and retain heat. You can also put it on the walls to reinforce insulation.
3. Interior layout of the henhouse: some tips to increase the comfort of the chickens
- Place the perches at a moderate height (about 50 cm) to prevent the animals from losing too much heat by climbing too high.
- Opt for wide and flat perches, this will allow the chickens to rest comfortably and better retain their body heat.
- Bring the perches closer together so that the chickens can stand close to each other and thus warm each other up.
4. Adequate nutrition to help your chickens face winter
To help your chickens cope with the cold, it is essential to provide them with a rich and balanced diet. You can:
- Give them whole grains like wheat or corn in the evening, which will allow them to produce more heat during the night.
- Slightly increase the amount of food to compensate for the energy expended in maintaining their body temperature.
5. Water: an element not to be neglected
It is important that your chickens have access to clean and fresh water at all times, even in winter. To prevent the water from freezing, you can:
- Use an insulated or thick plastic container.
- Place it sheltered from the wind and near a wall that will retain heat.
Remember to regularly check the water level and renew it if necessary to prevent it from freezing.
Protecting your chickens from the cold without electricity: mission accomplished!
Thanks to these practical tips, you can now effectively protect your chickens from the cold without relying on electricity. Offering them an insulated shelter, good nutrition, and ensuring their comfort are the keys to keeping your poultry healthy throughout the winter. So don’t wait any longer, put these tips into practice and take care of your favorite animals!
