How to prepare for winter with your chickens?
Winter is just around the corner! Yes, it is true. Leaves are falling, vegetable gardens are being cleaned up, perennials are being cut back and people are slowly preparing for the snow and cold weather to come!
This means that those of you who live in the northern regions will likely experience five months (or more) of cold, snow and ice. Our hens may have a decrease in egg production depending on the breed. If you have hybrid hens, they will continue to lay with little or no interruption, and if they are over 18 months old, feather molt is possible and a decrease in production. However, your hens will simply welcome the drop in temperature and feel relieved, as it is more than comfortable for them.
In fact, chickens are most comfortable in temperatures between 4 and 10 degrees C – and much colder than you might think – but they still appreciate your care, treats and affection during the winter months.
Whether this is your first winter with chickens or just a refresher, here are some of my top tips for winter. These tips are a bit of a summary of everything you need to know to be prepared!
Chicken Coop Considerations
Good ventilation (not airtight) and have openings at the top to let out the humidity.
Shelter from gusts of wind on the ground, at the level of the perches and nesting boxes.
The entrance of the coop must be closed at night as well as the windows.
Small gaps between the wooden slats should be filled in to cut the wind.
Adequate space in the coop and run for the number of hens (space for the hens to protect themselves from aggressive and dominant hens).
Roosting perches high enough at 40-46 cm from the ground and long enough for all hens. 2×4 across the width.
No free space that could invite rodents and undesirables.
Enough light during the day in the coop to move around with ease.
Protect the side from prevailing winds (plastic).
Windows should face south to warm and receive light.
In climates below -20 C for long periods of time, provide either double walls, or insulation between the walls and an insulated floor and nesting pads.
Add more wood shavings, at least 25 cm and more.
Don’t add heat lamps for nothing if you are insulated or it is not cold enough below -15. They are often too hot and a source of fire and overheating. They can also cause molting.
No red bulbs at night, they cause ovarian, hormonal and aggressiveness problems and reduce sleep. No Teflon coated bulbs, it is toxic for the hens.
Prevent frostbite if your hens have long ridges by rubbing a little petroleum jelly on them. Some hens adapt and have their comd reduced during the winter.
Chickens do not eat or drink at night. Do not leave water in small urban coops. This will increase the humidity while you drop water while manipulation.
250W ceramics are available in the Poules en Ville online store.
Warning, with the use of ceramic lights, there are all kinds of shade models on the market… the only ones that are recommended and are safe and strong enough for the 250W are the big deep shades like this one. Do not use small narrow bases. This will damage your ceramic. Exo-Terra lamps are the most reliable and durable. They are a little more expensive, but they last for years…
The run
It is a place protected from the weather, water, snow that is dry and clean.
Use a good thickness of ground litter in the run. Sphagnum moss from Nature Sorb and wood shavings. No leaves has they are prone to release fungus.
Place water in the run. In winter, use an electric waterer designed to keep the water from freezing.
Cover all sides of the aviary with clear plastic or rigid panels.
Allow natural light to pass through the aviary.
Feeding considerations
Plan to offer more feeds to layers in winter and preferably amalgamated in pellets (recommended by veterinarians). Never throw feed on the ground to prevent fungal infections.
During the coldest days, offer warm snacks, of greens in the morning and at the end of the day offer a mash with corn (no more than 3-4 C. per day per hen. Be careful not to cause nutritional deficiencies. They are not a garbage disposal to which we can offer all our table scraps).
During the moulting period, increase proteins (scrambled eggs, cooked meat, fish: careful with fish has it can change the taste of your eggs). (recipe in the blog article on moulting).
Provide clean water, and use an electric waterer that prevents the water from freezing.
Health considerations for chickens
Do your chickens need to be dewormed? Do they need vitamins?
Have you examined your chickens from head to toe? Under the legs, under the feathers and if they have any parasites to treat? Use ADD for prevention.
The sandbox, for grooming, parasite prevention, socialization and relaxation.
Choose hybrid hen species from hatcheries or among the 45 cold-resistant breeds.
Never use sweeters on your hens, as this impairs their ability to ruffle feathers and natural thermoregulation.
Considerations for egg laying
No continuous red lights all night: it affects the hormonal system.
Natural white light for hens of breeds with daytime timers only.
Research suggests that: hens need rest to build up reserves. Light is linked to ovarian cancers and other reproductive problems such as prolapse-Hens need 6-8 hours of darkness to keep the immune system optimal.
Offer vitamin D with calcium to support egg laying and calcium fixation.
Winter maintenance
Let your chickens adapt to the cold. Keep them out of high winds and in the run during storms.
Remove droppings from under the roost daily and avoid the build-up of strong odors caused by ammonia.
Remove frozen droppings from the run when they accumulate. Save the droppings and carbons for your composter if you have the space.
Provide entertainment: cabbage, broccoli, various snacks, sandbox.
Food self-sufficiency starts here! Here is THE complete guide to keeping chickens in your backyard and enjoying fresh eggs every day. ( In French)
Book: In translation process at the stage for English revision and search for a Canadian publisher. Contact us if you ca provide some references!
The practical guide Des poules dans ma cour. Pour des oeufs frais au quotidien, by Louise Arbour, was published on May 26, 2020. Preface by Guillaume Tremblay, Mayor of Mascouche Illustrations by Jocelyne Bouchard, Collection Guides pratiques. 283 pages.
About the book:
Do you have a little space in your backyard or garden? The pandemic has revealed a sudden desire for food autonomy? Do you simply dream of having fresh eggs on a daily basis? All of this is possible with a few chickens, and you don’t need a crowing rooster! At a time when we wish more than ever to favour local and environmentally friendly food, the installation of a henhouse in an urban environment is definitely part of the urban realities of tomorrow. Moreover, many municipalities in Quebec, more than 60, have recently allowed this practice, including Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Gatineau, Saguenay, Victoriaville, Terrebonne, Mascouche and Longueuil.
Louise Arbour, well known in the hen house community, shares here the fruits of her research and her many years of experience with laying hens. Those who are not sure where to start will find in this practical guide all the information and know-how they need to live well with chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in a northern climate. A first in North America!
The guide also provides tips on how to approach municipalities to implement urban chicken coops, community initiatives or therapeutic projects with seniors in residence. Richly illustrated, it offers all the tools and best practical advice to carry out your project in the best possible way, in both urban and rural areas.
This guide calls for chickens to become part of the great mosaic of urban agriculture and permaculture principles.
Recognized as one of the main ambassadors of the urban chicken movement in Quebec.
To learn more about keeping laying hens, sign up for the online training!
https://formation.poulesenville.com/p/backyard-chicken-keeper-course-webinar
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The book "Des poules dans ma cour"
Published by ÉCOSOCIÉTÉ. Available in all good bookstores!
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