25+ Tips for Keeping Chickens Warm in the Winter

in Chickens, Winter,

Here's your ultimate winter chicken care guide!

As a general rule, chickens handle cold far better than heat, but in the winter they still will appreciate being provided a draft-free, dry coop, a sunny area in the yard out of the wind, fresh water and some treats that provide extra energy and warming properties.

Boredom is also a worry in the winter, so keeping them busy can help alleviate pecking and other issues. I've put together my best advice to help your chickens through the winter.

This is a great guide to bookmark for future reference. I also put together a Winter Essentials Shopping List for you - all the things I use to keep my chickens (and myself!) happy and healthy all winter long!

25+ Tips for Keeping Chickens Warm in the Winter

Here are some easy, natural ways to keep your chickens warm, happy and healthy through the cold winter months.

Prepping for Winter

Coop and Run Area

Should I Heat my Coop?
Should I Light my Coop to keep egg production up?
How to Winterize your Chicken Coop
How to Winterize your Chicken Run
Try the Deep Litter Method to warm your coop naturally
Learn why Straw is the Best Coop Bedding for Winter (and year round)
Try these winter Boredom Busters
Learn How to Prevent Frostbite
Ventilation vs. Drafts in the Coop

Winter Treats

Feed Scratch grains before bedtime to help warm your chickens' bodies up a bit
My Ultimate Scratch Grains recipe
Make homemade Suet Blocks, Seed Blocks or Seed Wreaths
Grow your chickens Sprouts
Grow Fodder for added winter nutrition
Add Cayenne Pepper to your chicken feed
Freeze Herbs for a winter treat for your chickens
Use these tips to Keep water from freezing
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Keep Water Unfrozen?

Winter Egg Considerations

Why aren't my Chickens Laying Eggs any longer?
Freeze some Eggs in the summer for use this winter
Or try Preserving Eggs the old-timers French Way
Learn Ways to Keep your Eggs from Freezing
If you absolutely have to have eggs through the winter

Got Ducks? Here are some Winter Tips for Ducks

And lastly, Feeding Geese in the Winter

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©2025 by Fresh Eggs Daily, Inc. Researched and written by bestselling author and 5th generation chicken keeping expert Lisa Steele.
All rights reserved.

Meet Lisa

As a 5th generation chicken keeper, I've spent the last 15 years teaching others how to raise happy, healthy chickens in their backyards. A former Wall Street accountant turned chicken keeper, recipe developer, author, TV host, and media personality, I produce and host Welcome to my Farm which airs on PBS/CreateTV from our farm in Maine. I've written several books on raising backyard flocks as well as two cookbooks. My work has been featured on NPR, the Hallmark Home & Family Show, HGTV, and in the Wall Street Journal, Parade, Farmers Almanac, Real Simple and Country Living, as well as popular sites like Chewy, Buzzfeed, Womans World, and Martha.com. I've also had the pleasure of collaborating with leading brands such as Meyer Hatchery, Metzer Farms, Grubbly Farms, Tractor Supply Company, Stonewall Kitchen, The Spice House, Brinsea, and Kalmbach Feeds.