01/06/2026
This winter has been a little extreme, in my opinion. It felt like it started super early here and has been below freezing, for the majority.
With that said, chickens tend to do better in the cold than the heat. But not always, when its consistently cold, like it has been. In this bitter cold, issues like frostbite can be common. But we still find it healthiest for them to avoid heating their coop and following these guidelines from my friend, Patty from Patty's Peeps!!
The only other thing I'd add is making sure waterers remain unfrozen. Lack of fresh water is another common problem, for chickens, during winter.
Why Chickens Don't Need Heat
Another amazing fact about chickens, they are so surprising 🥰
Natural Insulation: Chickens fluff their feathers to trap warm air, acting like down jackets,
High Body Temperature: Their normal body temp is 104-107°F, which helps them stay warm, 🧡
Metabolic Heat: Digestion of extra feed in winter generates heat,♥️ A well ventilated coop with no draft in the winter will be very fine and no waterer in the coop at night it cause humidity wich can lead to respiratory issues 🥰
