Do Chickens Need Heat in the Winter?

I see this question all over social media during the fall when the temperatures start to drop. Many people think because it is cold to us that our chickens must be cold too. So, do chickens need heat in the winter? Let’s find out.

Chicken’s Feathers

We know chickens have feathers. That’s obvious. But did you know chickens have two types of feathers specific for warmth?

Down Feathers

Just like ducks, chickens have down feathers. Down feathers cover baby chicks when they are born. They also cover adult chickens. These feathers sit under the exterior feathers.

Down is light and fluffy. The fluffiness allows the down to trap air close to the chicken’s body, keeping heat loss to a minimum.

People use down feathers in jackets, sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets to keep warm. Chickens already have this insulator.

Semiplumes

Semiplume feathers are another means of insulation. These feathers are slightly stiffer than down but serve the same purpose. These feathers reside between the contour feathers, outermost feathers of the chicken.

The Coop

The structure of the coop is essential in cold temperatures. A coop is a place of refuge for chickens. If the structure is insufficient, the chickens suffer.

Insulation

Insulating your coop keeps heat in and the winter cold out. Avoid drafts in your coop. Ventilation allows ammonia to escape, but drafts increase the chances of birds getting respiratory ailments.

Hay and straw do not make for good insulators inside the chicken coop. These products contain moisture where mold and fungus grow inside.

Dry

Keep the coop clean and dry. If water spills, clean it up. Moisture build-up in the coop during the winter causes frostbite on the chickens’ wattles, combs, and feet. Ventilation is also key to keeping moisture to a minimum.

Bedding

Using the deep litter method provides extra warmth. As the bedding decomposes, it produces heat.

Other Considerations

Water

Make sure your chickens have water during the day. Water helps them regulate their body temperatures. Ice is not drinkable water. Ensure the chicken’s water stays thawed.

Never keep water in the coop. Moisture is your enemy in the coop.

Food

Food needs to be accessible to the chickens. Having food available allows the chickens to adjust their consumption based on their needs.

Acclimation

Throughout the year, chickens acclimate to the weather. The temperatures change gradually, allowing chickens’ bodies to become adapted to the cold.

So, Do Chickens Need Heat in the Winter?

No, they do not. A properly wintered coop allows the chickens to get inside out of the weather and to stay dry. Having water and food available ensures the chickens remain healthy and able to adjust their body temperatures.

Do NOT Use a Heat Lamp

A heat lamp only increases the risk of a fire in a chicken coop. Heat lamps don’t do any good if you set your coop and chickens on fire.

If you have ever been into a chicken coop, you know they are dusty. That fine dust paired with the heat of a heat lamp only spells trouble. The bedding in the coop is also highly flammable. A chicken could knock the heat lamp onto the bedding, causing a fire.

Cold-Weather Chickens

If you are still worried about the chickens during the winter, consider getting chickens that are more cold-tolerant. Some chickens have more feather layers than others, making them ideal for colder weather.

Silkie Bantams
Orpingtons
Chantecler
Australorp
Rhode Island Reds
Plymouth Rock
Delaware
Wyandotte
Buckeye
Dominiques
Welsummer
New Hampshire Red