Freezing temperatures can be tough on chickens, but with the right prep your flock will stay cozy, healthy, and laying. Winter care isn’t about making the coop hot — it’s about keeping it dry, draft-free, and giving your hens the nutrition and comfort they need to thrive. Use this checklist to make sure you’re ready before the cold sets in.

Coop & Shelter

• Keep it dry, not drafty: ventilation up high prevents moisture buildup.

• Patch leaks in roofs, doors, or windows.

• Use the deep litter method (pine shavings or straw) for natural insulation.

Feed & Nutrition

• Provide balanced layer feed year-round.

• Add scratch grains in the evening for extra warmth.

• Boost protein with mealworms or black oil sunflower seeds.

• Keep grit and oyster shell available at all times.

Water

• Use heated waterers if possible.

• If not, swap waterers 2–3 times daily.

• Place water in a sheltered location to slow freezing.

Roosts & Frostbite Prevention

• Use wide roosts (2x4 flat side up) so hens cover their toes.

• Control moisture more than cold — damp air causes frostbite.

• Apply a thin layer of salve or petroleum jelly on combs in extreme cold.

Health & Comfort

• Provide an indoor dust bath box (soil + wood ash + food-grade DE).

• Add herbs to nesting boxes: lavender, calendula, mint.

• Check hens’ body weight — thin hens struggle in cold.

Egg Production

• Collect eggs often — they can freeze and crack in sub-zero temps.

✅ With these steps, your chickens will stay healthy, warm, and productive even in freezing weather.