The Truth About Cracked Corn and Scratch Grains in Winter: What Your Chickens Really Need

As the cold weather rolls in, many backyard chicken keepers start adding cracked corn or scratch grains to their flocks diet, believing it helps keep their birds warm through the winter. It's a long-standing practice - but also one of the biggest misconceptions in poultry care. While it's true that chickens generate body heat through digestion, what they actually need to stay warm and healthy is balanced nutrition not a high-carb snack.

The Myth: "Corn Keeps Chickens Warm"

Cracked corn and scratch grains are often thought to act like a "heater" from the inside out. While digesting food does help chickens create some body heat, corn and scratch don't offer the nutrients needed to maintain overall health, feather quality and consistent egg production.

These feeds are mostly carbohydrates - essentially empty calories that provide quick energy but lack the essential protein, vitamins and minerals that a chicken's body relies on to stay strong during winter.

The Reality: Chickens Are Built for the Cold

Chickens are naturally equipped to handle cold temperatures much better than most people think. With a high body temperature of around 107 F (42 C) and a built-in coat of insulating feathers, they're literally wrapped in their own down jackets.

When they roost together at night, they share body heat, keeping each other warm and comfortable. The key to helping them through the winter isn't extra carbohydrates - it's ensuring they have a dry, draft-free coop/run and access to a nutritionally complete chicken feed.

Give them those essentials and your flock will do the rest. Healthy chickens with proper nutrition and protection from the wind and dampness can thrive in freezing temperatures without any trouble.

Too Many Carbs Can Lead to Health Issues

Feeding excess cracked corn, scratch grains, black oil sunflower seeds or even mealworms can cause more than just imbalanced nutrition - it can lead to obesity and serious health problems. Chickens that consume too many carbohydrates often develop fatty liver disease, a condition where fat accumulates in the liver, making it fragile and prone to rupture.

Fatty liver disease is one of the most common and preventable causes of sudden death in backyard flocks. To learn more about the signs, causes and prevention of this condition, refer to my blog on Fatty Liver Disease for detailed information.

Think Of It Like Junk Food

Feeding cracked corn or scratch grains is similar to us eating a bag of chips - it fills you up, but it doesn't fuel your body properly.

What Your Flock Really Needs in Winter

• Access to complete feed at all times - this is their main source of warmth and nutrition.

• Plenty of fresh, clean water - chickens won't eat if they can't drink and hydration is vital for metabolism.

• Shelter from drafts - keeping them dry is key to comfort and health.

If You Think Your Flock Needs an Extra Boost this Winter

Winter can be stressful on your chickens' immune and digestive systems, especially with less daylight and colder temperatures. This is the perfect time to support them with a few targeted supplements from our Chick' N Wellness Shop:

Chick' N Prebiotics - helps maintain gut health and nutrient absorption during times of stress or lower fee intake.

Chick' N Pulmo - supports respiratory health and comfort, especially when coops are closed up tight during cold winter.

Chick' N Protect - keeps your coop fresher smelling all winter long by reducing odors. An added bonus? It won't freeze in cold temperatures, making it perfect for winter use and store it right in the coop!

Chick' N Calcium - an ideal supplement for the winter months when daylight is limited. The added vitamin D3 helps your hens absorb and utilize calcium effectively, keeping their bones strong and preparing their bodies for spring egg-laying season when production naturally increases.

All these products work together to keep your flock thriving and resilient through the toughest months of the year - supporting both their health and their environment.

Final Thoughts

Chickens don't need cracked corn or scratch grains to stay warm - they're already built for the cold. What they truly need is quality feed, balanced supplements and a dry, protected coop.

Let them fill up on their nutritionally complete feed and support them with trusted Chick' N Wellness products to ensure they stay healthy, comfortable and ready to lay strong when spring returns.