Caring for Chickens in WINNER

Cold Weather and Chickens

By Laura Damron

We have basically two different kinds of winter weather here in the Pacific Northwest, and each presents its own unique challenges with regards to animals. Here are a few things I find helpful in keeping my chickens in good shape through the colder months, no matter what kind of weather rolls in.

Dry Bedding. This is probably the most important thing, in my opinion. I make sure I always have a bale of wood shavings on hand in the coop through the winter. I’ll toss a few handfuls down under the roosts each morning when I open things up for the day, to help absorb moisture and odors from the night droppings, and as part of my deep-litter maintenance. I also add some, when needed, near the door to the run to help minimize the mud that gets tracked in.

This is a great product that can be used in a number of ways, according to the package directions. I keep a bottle in the coop, and about once a week I put a few drops on the roost bars in the evening. This way, the birds can breathe in the essential oils while sleeping for the night. The idea is to help keep their respiratory systems in good