What to Feed Chickens in Winter

Prepare for next year’s growing season with help from your backyard flock.

By Erin Snyder
Updated on August 21, 2024
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by Adobestock/st.kolesnikov

Learn what to feed chickens in winter and how to keep them safe while they aid you in preparing the garden for next year’s growing season.

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Keeping chickens in your garden in winter may sound counterproductive. However, your flock would love nothing more than to scratch through the garden soil in winter months – it’ll boost their mental and physical health while benefiting the garden soil and reducing weeds and harmful garden pests.

What Do Chickens Need in Winter?

Although chickens may not enjoy cold weather, they can survive the harshest winter months with some help from their keepers. Chickens can safely tolerate temperatures and windchills down to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures dip below this mark, hens should spend more time in the chicken coop. Letting them venture outside for short periods will help your flock stay active without becoming too cold or developing frostbite. In addition, here are four essential elements your chickens will need to successfully overwinter.

Domestic chickens in the aviary need food from the tray

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