Keeping Us Warm in the Winter
Sue Sangren, Feed Admin
With the growing popularity of backyard chickens, I wanted to share an article by Patrick Biggs, Ph.D., published in a recent Purina newsletter. CFS offers a poultry feed line called Fancy Feathers, formulated by Purina Animal Nutrition exclusively for our private label. In addition to Fancy Feathers, we also offer Purina brands mentioned in the article.
There’s nothing as cozy and snug as your hens in their winter chicken coop. But many flock raisers wonder how to keep chickens warm in winter. Follow our 10 cold weather flock tips and know a bird’s thick feathers are a natural protective coat, so most breeds are well-equipped for winter without the need for a chicken coop heater.
Is a heat lamp and chicken coop heater necessary?
There’s no need to buy expensive heat lamps or a chicken coop heater for your flock. Chickens, especially cold-weather chicken breeds (see breed suggestions below), can withstand winter temperatures without supplemental heat. A chicken’s body temperature is around 106 degrees Fahrenheit, and they have their own protective layer of feathers to keep them warm. If you feel it is necessary to provide a chicken coop heater, only provide enough heat to raise the temperature a few degrees. The hens will adjust to the cold temperature, but if it is 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the coop and 0 degrees Fahrenheit in the run, birds will not be able to regulate their body temperature. What to feed chickens in the winter? A common myth is to feed oatmeal to birds in the winter. This is not a beneficial treat for chickens. Oats contain types of fiber that chickens can’t digest, which can cause the contents of the digestive tract to thicken. This leads to a reduction in the bird’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients. Greens are also unnecessary. Hens may pick at hay and spread it around, but they are not going to eat it.
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