This winter has been strange. This last summer was really hot, dry, and brutal for our garden and the animals. I fully expected winter to be mild with a lack of snow since it has been so dry for several years; but it has been quite the opposite. In fact, it has been non-stop snow. One thing I sometimes forget is that for thousands of years, chickens have been just fine without humans to keep them warm, dry and fed. But we have forced them into a predicament that is not natural. Limited space for foraging, forced places to perch and controlling when and what they eat. Even with what I think is plenty of space for them to roam with several hundred square feet of outside space, I fully understand that their predicament is not natural. So even though they are perfectly equipped for the weather I need to make sure I doing my part.
It is my responsibility to provide a dry, safe place for them to perch. Humidity can cause respiratory issues and frost bite. This is not as easy as it sounds because birds put out a lot of warmth so in a warm coop the birds produce humidity. We have converted an old tin shed into to a coop with chicken wire doors to allow good air flow but plenty of protection from wind from any angle. But when the temps drop close to zero we cover the doors with a tarp. This keeps it 15-20 degrees warmer but it also keeps the humidity in. So far, it has not been a concerning amount of humidity but it is something I keep my eye on.
I also am responsible to make sure they have plenty of fresh water. We are not set up to provide de-icers so we provide fresh water several times a day. But at night I am perplexed on how to provide water because the birds will stand and poop in the water. I guess in nature they don’t have to worry about this as water sources are probably moving water or larger bodies of water. But I have noticed that most our birds don’t drink much at night so some nights I remove the water bowls.
The last topic is perching and places to lay eggs. We have plenty of space to perch in the barn but we have noticed that our main rooster will lay on the ground in front of the door. I figure this is his protective nature as the patriarch of the flock. But he has developed redness on his feet and his feet always look painful. But there really is nothing I can do to get him off the ground as this seems to be instinct, I can only make sure there is warm bedding by the door. I don’t understand the reasoning but we have noticed that dry feet, dry bedding and plenty of water leads to more egg production. Evolution must have programed these conditions into their bodies.
To wrap it up, chickens are very adaptive and equipped for cold weather, but is my responsibility to make sure they have their needs met to keep them warm, healthy and laying eggs.
Root Homestead 