Feeding chickens in the winter in the UK requires a bit of extra planning to help them stay warm, healthy, and active during the colder months. Winter presents several challenges, including reduced foraging opportunities, lower natural daylight, and the need for extra energy to maintain body heat. Here are some essential tips on how to support your chickens through a British winter.
### 1. Adjust Their Diet for Extra Energy
Chickens need more calories in winter to stay warm, so increasing the energy content of their diet can be beneficial. You can achieve this by:
- **Adding More Carbohydrates**: Carbohydrate-rich foods provide chickens with the fuel they need to generate heat. Scratch grains like corn, oats, and wheat are excellent sources of energy. Offering a handful in the late afternoon can help them maintain body heat through the night.
- **Supplementing with High-Quality Pellets**: A good layer pellet is essential all year round, but in winter, it’s even more important as it ensures that chickens get the balanced nutrients they need, even if their foraging is limited.
- **Offering Warm Treats**: Warm treats can be comforting and provide an energy boost. Consider making a warm mash from their regular feed by mixing it with hot (not boiling) water. The chickens enjoy it, and the warm food can help them regulate their body temperature.
### 2. Increase Protein Intake
Chickens naturally molt in autumn and early winter, and their feathers are essential for insulation. Increasing their protein intake can help with feather regrowth, keeping them warm. Good sources include:
- **Protein-Rich Treats**: Add treats like sunflower seeds, mealworms, or even a bit of scrambled egg (if they don’t seem to mind the source!). Be careful not to overdo it; a little goes a long way.
- **High-Protein Pellets**: Some people switch to a higher protein pellet (around 18-20%) during the winter months, which can help bolster their diet during colder times.
### 3. Keep Feed and Water Accessible
In the UK, temperatures don’t often plunge severely, but there can be occasional frosts that make water supply challenging. To ensure chickens stay hydrated and well-fed:
- **Use Heated Water Bowls or Check Regularly**: Water bowls or containers can freeze overnight in sub-zero temperatures, so it’s important to either use heated bowls or check and replace the water as needed. Adding a rubber bowl can help as it's easier to knock out ice if it freezes.
- **Feed Early and Top Up**: Chickens should be fed in the morning to give them a good start, but you may also want to check feed levels in the afternoon, especially if they’re eating more to stay warm. Placing feed inside the coop can also encourage them to eat even if they’re reluctant to go outside.
### 4. Supplement with Grit and Calcium
Chickens need grit to digest food, and if they aren’t free-ranging as much, they’ll need a reliable indoor source of grit and calcium:
- **Provide Grit Regularly**: Chickens use grit to grind food in their gizzards, so ensure they have access to insoluble grit, especially if their access to natural sources is reduced.
- **Offer Oyster Shell for Calcium**: Hens still laying in winter need extra calcium to maintain shell quality. Keeping a separate container of oyster shell allows them to consume calcium as needed.
### 5. Avoid Over-Treating
While it’s tempting to offer extra treats, try not to overfeed fatty treats like mealworms or kitchen scraps, as this can dilute their nutrient intake from pellets. Balance is key in winter, where energy needs are higher but can’t come at the expense of their main nutritional needs.
### 6. Create a Comfortable Feeding Environment
If your chickens are hesitant to leave the coop due to wind or rain, provide some shelter around the feeding area. A covered feeding area protects them from wet or windy weather and encourages them to eat more freely.
### 7. Consider Light Supplementation for Layers
The natural light in winter can be quite limited, which may reduce laying. If you want to maintain egg production, consider adding artificial lighting in the coop to mimic daylight. However, be mindful that this can place stress on hens, so avoid lighting 24/7 and allow them a period of natural darkness to rest.
### Final Thoughts
Feeding chickens in winter requires some attention to detail, but with a few adjustments, your flock can remain healthy and resilient even in the coldest months. By ensuring they have a diet high in energy, easy access to unfrozen water, and an enriched environment, your chickens will be able to handle the winter chill and keep clucking through to spring.