The Ultimate Autumn-Winter Chicken Care Guide Every Keeper Needs

As the seasons shift and days grow shorter, your chickens face challenges that can quietly affect their health, egg production, and overall well-being. Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your coop and flock so they remain healthy, comfortable, and productive through winter.

Evaluate Your Coop

Before the first frost, inspect your coop for drafts, leaks, or areas where moisture could enter. Chickens tolerate cold well, but dampness and wind increase the risk of frostbite and illness. A dry, draft-free coop is essential.

Nutrition and Hydration

Cold weather increases your chickens’ energy needs. As they consume feed, their bodies generate heat, helping them stay warm.

A strong immune system begins with proper nutrition.

Feed Quality: Molting often occurs in autumn and requires additional protein for feather regrowth. Offering a chick starter/grower feed with 21% protein provides the balanced amino acids necessary for efficient feather replacement. This process typically takes 8–12 weeks.

Avoid excessive treats and extras, as they dilute the nutrients chickens need most during this demanding time.

Added Nutritional Support: Providing proper nutrition during autumn supports immune health, feather regrowth, and overall resilience heading into winter. Learn more on how important it is to feed your laying hens correctly.

Fresh Water: Chickens must have access to unfrozen water at all times. Without water, they cannot properly digest feed or maintain egg production. Snow is not an adequate water source. Heated waterers or frequent water changes help ensure consistent access.

Lighting and Egg Production

As daylight decreases, egg production naturally slows. Chickens require approximately 14–16 hours of light to maintain consistent laying.

If you choose to add supplemental light:

• Use rope lighting on a timer and secure fixture

• Add light in the early morning, not evening

• Install lighting early in autumn for best results

  
  

Supplemental lighting does not force hens to lay eggs. Egg production depends on multiple factors, including nutrition, health, age, and molting. Supplemental light simply allows hens to resume laying sooner once their bodies are ready. Learn more on adding supplemental lighting for laying hens.

Molting Season

Molting typically begins in autumn, as chickens shed old feathers and grow new ones.

• Feathers are over 80% protein, making proper nutrition critical

• Offer starter/grower feed to support feather regrowth

• Avoid excessive handling, as new pin feathers are sensitive

  
  

Molting is completely natural, though it may temporarily stop egg production. Learn more on annual molting with laying hens.

Roosting and Warmth

Chickens naturally keep warm by roosting together.

Ensure roosts are wide enough (2×4 boards with the 4-inch side up work well), allowing chickens to cover their feet with their bodies to prevent frostbite.

Avoid heat lamps due to fire risk and sleep disruption. Chickens need darkness for proper rest. A dry, well-insulated coop and proper nutrition are usually sufficient.

In extremely cold climates (below –20°C), a safe electric oil heater may be used if necessary.

Wrapping your run with contractor’s plastic helps block wind, rain, and snow while creating a greenhouse effect on sunny days, significantly improving comfort. Learn more on heating the coop in winter.

Broody Hens

Broody hens eat and drink significantly less. Going into winter, this can be dangerous, as they need adequate calories to maintain body heat.

If a hen is broody and not hatching chicks, it is important to break the broodiness to protect her health. Learn more on how to break up a broody hen.

Mental and Physical Stimulation

Winter conditions can limit activity, leading to boredom or feather picking.

Provide enrichment such as:

• Hanging feed cups around the run

• Feed-dispensing bottles ("chicken soccer")

• Wet feed porridge using starter/grower feed

• Multiple roosting levels, stumps, or platforms

  
  

Offering their complete feed in different ways provides both stimulation and proper nutrition.

Read more details on winter enrichment activities.

Health and Parasite Prevention

Autumn is an ideal time to assess flock health.

Check for:

• Healthy body weight

• Mites or lice

• Parasites

• Spur length in roosters

  
  

Preventative care is easier than treating winter infestations.

Parasite Prevention

• Chick’ N Protect helps repel mites and supports feather and skin condition. As an added bonus, you can store it in the coop during winter months as it does not freeze.

• Elector PSP effectively treats active mite and lice infestations

• Piperazine Dihydrochloride can be used when full deworming is required

  
  

Maintaining parasite control ensures chickens remain strong and able to maintain body condition during winter.

Prepare for Snow and Ice

Make winter access safe and manageable.

• Keep paths clear of snow

• Provide covered run areas for outdoor access

• Wrap run walls with contractor’s plastic to block wind and moisture

• Avoid placing water inside the coop, as excess moisture increases frostbite risk

  
  

Dry air is key to winter health.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your flock for autumn and winter isn’t about adding heat — it’s about providing a dry, draft-free environment, proper nutrition, and proactive care.

Chickens are naturally cold-hardy, but thoughtful preparation ensures they remain healthy, comfortable, and productive through winter.

With the right preparation, your flock won’t just survive winter — they’ll thrive.