JANUARY 2022
@HOME N E W S L E T T E R
ISSUE 123
Care For The Coop CARING FOR CHICKENS DURING INLAND NORTHWEST WINTERS BY MELISSA BLAINE
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any of us have endeavored to become urban farmers. From lovely garden beds to backyard chickens, ducks and goats. This month we are bringing you some tips on how to care for chickens during an Inland Northwest winter and other helpful flock tending tips.
Baby Its Cold Outside The first thing we all think of as the weather turns is how to keep our hens warm. Chickens are very hardy and have ample feathers to help keep them warm well below zero degrees. If your hens have a dry and minimally drafty place to roost, they will manage the winter weather without any need for an additional heat source. If you are still tempted to install a heat source, consider the fire danger; birds are notorious for flying into heat lamps and causing them to break. Either make certain your heat lamp is elevated and properly secured, preferably with a cage around it, or opt for a radiant heat source. Once you have started the winter with a heat source, keep it in place through the season as the birds will become reliant on the artificial heat.
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes The most cold-sensitive parts of the chicken are their comb, waddle and feet. It is important to minimize humidity and moisture in your coop during the winter to help reduce frostbite risk. Adding pine shavings to your bedding material is helpful for absorbing excess moisture. Typical roosting designs use a round rod much like a closet rod for chickens to grab with their feet. Consider also having an area with a flat roost so that the birds can nestle their feet into their feathers for natural warmth. Food & Water Make sure there is ample food available and maybe provide an extra treat such as cracked corn in the evening on extreme cold days. Chickens eat about 1.5 times more in the winter months than they do in the summer. Dried mealworms are another great snack for extra protein, since the ground is often frozen and snow-covered, which makes it difficult for them the scratch around for insects. Water… the plugin poultry font is the easiest way to keep the water from freezing if you have power close by.
Otherwise, opt for a black rubber water bin as it won’t become brittle like plastic. Apple Cider Vinegar should be used year-round in the water (1/8 to 1/4 cup per gal.) to help with the overall health of your flock by aiding in digestion and reducing disease. Eggs Eggs should be left “nest clean,” which means you can brush off any debris, but do not wash until you are ready to use them. Eggs have a protective “bloom” that protects the insides from bacteria. Used dry eggshells can be broken up in small pieces and fed back to your hens for extra nutrients. For winter egg production, supplemental light is needed as hens require around 14 hours of daylight. You can use a light on a timer but please note the fire precautions above. One last thing to note is be mindful of predators! Even city chickens are constantly attacked by skunks and raccoons. Keep their coop secure and enjoy your feathery pets for years to come! Melissa Blaine, Coldwell Banker Tomlinson, has been raising chickens & farm critters for over 12 years.