Keeping Chickens Warm In Winter - Heating Your Chicken Coop In Winter?

How are we keeping the chickens warm in winter? Do we heat our chicken coop in winter? We'll explain how we keep the hens warm, and how they keep themselves warm (especially at night!).
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[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We wanted to show how we keep our chicken hens warm in the two coops we have. We have temps to -30f each year. We keep it simple and have had no issues with frostbite or other respiratory issues.

[@fireksunk]

What's the cost for that chiken cage ?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@fireksunk Not sure what you mean by "cage." The outdoor coop/run cost about $1400 for all the lumber, metal fabric, cement blocks and hardware. It is bullet proof, and no predator can get in. The indoor "cage" is the coop for the young hens. We open it up to all the hens when they get to the same size. The indoor coop was built for about $400. The small cage in the corner is a dog cage that we use for separating hens. Let me know if this did not answer your question. Thanks!

[@YogiHollowFarm]

Amen Rich! Chickens are not fragile! We have scrawny leghorns with huge combs and they tolerate the winter at -30 F no problem. Have a great day!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching Lisa. None of our hens are fragile. They don't mind the cold and seem to like the chance to relax with the other hens in the coop. Cheers!

[@graceandfire]

We don’t wrap our coop, but I know people who do. We break wind for the girls through the corrugated roofing panels on the small run. There is a gap in the top to allow circulation. That’s it. We reuse the panels every year. We also use a shade cloth on the big run. It helps in the summer heat but it breaks the wind in the winter. We have cameras in the coop. Sometimes I catch a girl with a wing over the bird next to her. They really help keep each other warm.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I have yet to get a picture of a hen with her wing over another hen. Let us know if you get a picture of that. The shade cloth is a great idea (for winter and summer). Cheers Glenda!

[@graceandfire]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm once it gets a bit colder, they start doing that. Maybe around mid January. I’ll keep an eye out and post the video. Right now they’re just tucking their heads.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@graceandfire I'd love to see it!

[@jenniferjones5826]

Thank you for this video

[@jase_drifter]

to be honest Rich, my main question was how do you keep that hair so stunning. And yeah Nah I don't do snow. but your girls look happy. hats off to ya.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

My Barber says I have Anchorman Hair! It just doesn't move! The older I get, the less I'm loving the snow. Have a great week Jase!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

We have had frostbite here but on admittedly less hardy birds that were the lowest on the hierarchy. They weren't even allowed on the roost.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Wow! Every one of our girls are allowed on the roost, although we have two large roosts, a smaller roost and a table that they are using. Cheers Heather!

[@kentuckycowboy7660]

❤ agreement.. 🌽 extra scoop of scratch / sunflower seeds/mealworms mix in the winter is all I’ve done. This year ✅ Experimented a couple of times when I got my girls and made sure all my girls were in the smaller coop. The next nights since all of them were on the chicken run roost shielded/ covered run part. All but one were outside of the coop. Tonight actually is 28 degrees. All are huddled next to each other on the outside roosts which are all on the same level… yes the head-tuck into the fluffy feathers 🪶 all of them are doing it. Natural instinct take over if left alone and half the flock were chicks 6-8 months ago. The others are 2-3 years old

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

It is amazing what they have as natural instincts and what is learned. It really seemed like our newer group of hens introduced the head tuck to everyone else. We had never seen that before. Your mealworm/sunflower seed mix is a winner! Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

[@BARBSCOUNTRYHOME999]

Your ladies look very happy and warm.. No snow but lots of rain! 🌧️

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The hens are all happy and healthy. They are definitely warm. I hope you don't have to deal with snow this winter. Cheers Barb!

[@8EACRESHOMESTEAD]

Agreed! They are not as fragile as many think! Glad you shared about moisture--such a great point 👍🏻 love the coop Rich! 🐓

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching and commenting! You are right about the gals. They are not fragile! They do just fine! Cheers!

[@AnglesideFarm]

Always impressed with your chicken set up Rich. I don’t pamper mine with heat either.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We sure give them plenty of treats, but I wouldn't call it pampering. Thanks for watching Steve and commenting! Have a great week!

[@melaniec463]

Thank you for sharing your video. I'm new to chickens and looking for videos doing all the research I can before I actually buy any chicks. I'm so nervous I'm going to mess up or do something wrong, but, I just want to be able to raise them without any mishaps. I love your videos because it makes me feel like I'm in your coup with those girls. lol thank you for all the great details. I feel a lot better now. I was wondering how I would keep them warm when it turns winter again. I'm in Louisiana so we don't have winter like you do. Thanks again!!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I'm so glad you found us. We've been through our learning curve and wanted to use our channel to pass on what we've learned. You won't have to worry about the cold. The biggest threat to chickens is the heat. They need a lot of water in the summer and a great place for shade. If you've got questions, please feel free to reach out. We've got videos on just about every topic, from getting started, to handling mature chickens. Have fun and let us know how we can help. Cheers Melanie!

[@gardeningmadeeasywiththeol3945]

Hi Rich, it looks mighty cold at your place but the chickens seem to enjoy foraging in the snow ! Guess that they will all be watching the England v USA football match ! Best Wishes.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The girls really like to forage, even on the cold days. Good luck on Friday. It'll be an interesting match! Cheers!!

[@kentuckycowboy7660]

Suggestion. 🐓 I picked this up from another channel. I placed a nice size pile of much/leaves/ pine needs/ grass clippings mix inside the covered chicken run and the girl scratch it down every day, and at night I build it back up. In the morning I place a good amount of scratch on those piles. Keeps them busy all day long. Since they beaten it down so much they have a natural dust bath too. I mix wood ash and Demetrius Earth into it as well twice/three times a week

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I do make piles of the straw and they love breaking it down. We throw corn around each cold night. The hens love digging for the corn and turn the deep litter over. Keeps them busy for hours. Love your idea! Thanks for sharing this! Cheers!

[@TheCowEmporium]

The only closing up we have done is to seal up corners to keep the sparrows out. It’s so important to have airflow! I saw a comment about cayenne/hot pepper seeds. A friend in Japan said that they feed chickens red pepper seeds to increase the yellowness of the yolk. Chickens do not sense pepper heat like we would or other animals. The chicken chick says not to use straw or hay but instead wood chips in the winter as deep litter. We do use straw occasionally but change it often so it doesn’t mold. You haven’t had many moulting yet? Haha. They are playing follow the leader. 😅 Take care and stay warm.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We use straw all winter. It works great with the droppings for deep litter. I'd spend hundreds of dollars to get wood chips for our barn. I'll got with straw and be fine! With our big barn, there is no way to keep the sparrows out! I really can't comment on yolks and pepper flakes. If it would make the eggs a bit spicy, I'd feed flakes all day!! Cheers Annette!

[@Priyankahomekitchengarden]

Nice sharing friends

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for watching! We appreciate your support! If you haven't subscribed, please do! Have a great week!

[@backyardgardenhighlights]

Wow, pretty interesting to watch how you grow your chickens and give them lots of good care. Also, its amazing to see the young ones giving new techniques for the old ones and how they get cozy sleep during winter nights. I loved watching entire video! Great sharing, Rich!😍

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching. The hens are so much fun to watch! The different breeds and different age groups carry different behaviors. Thanks again for stopping by!!

[@DIY_woodworking_VN]

CẢM ƠN BẠN CHIA SẺ RẤT HAY ,LKE

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for watching and commenting! Cheers!

[@KimberlyGingrich]

Thank you for that reassurance with no heat. My older girls want nothing to do with the younger girls. Maybe once winter really hits that will change.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Heat just isn't needed. Keep the drafts low and the moisture out of the coop/run. Maybe the girls will become friends when it gets cooler. They may want to snuggle on cold nights!!

[@jojozepofthejungle2655]

I spent a night in the coop before getting my chickens. I wore my downy jacket, so I had the same coat as them, and I made a good coop that needs no heating. It doesn't snow where I am. It was 2deg C. the night i spent in there. I made my coop like a cabin with big chunky sleepers. It only gets cold near the windows, so I put Holland blinds in. I just have floor vents at the bottom and top for chicken ventilation. I can open or close them depending upon the weather. My chooks were in the hail last week, just doing their normal things as if nothing was wrong. But remember that their hearts beat twice as fast as ours, so they feel warm just like we do after a workout. Heaters make chickens sick. People had chooks way before heaters.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Sounds like you've got an incredible coop and your hens will be very comfortable at night! I don't believe in heaters either. Thank you for stopping by and telling us about your coop. Keep us posted on how the hens like it. Cheers!

[@kentuckycowboy7660]

😮😮😮 I think about how do pheasants and grouse and doves survive in the wild. 🌳 I’ve added bushes around the corners of the coop run. Agreed the moisture is terrible for the girls. A science 🧪 experiment My mini-greenhouse on my raised bed has a bunch of moisture on the plastic every morning, so what would The girl’s breathing in…moisture of course. Great for plants

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We find pheasants out in our woods occasionally. They usually get down by a couple logs to huddle and keep out of the wind. I like the bush idea. Good wind break and provides interest for the hens. If you put chickens in with the mini greenhouse, keep me updated on how it works. Take care!

[@souhirhairstyle]

I love the snow ❄️ 😍

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We love the snow too! We prefer no wind!! Thank you for watching and commenting! Cheers!

[@G.W.H.]

Thanks for sharing!!!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Happy New Year!! Cheers!

[@esaymazing]

Glad you shared about that idea. Thank you! Stay warm.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for watching! We appreciate your support! Please subscribe, if you haven't already. Have a great week!

[@pjourneys5337]

So good keeping !

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Have a great day!!

[@hardnackfarms1736]

Hey Rich. You provide the best information. I mean chickens don’t have heat in nature. So I think you are wise! Have a very blessed day! Wendy🙏🏻🌎🇺🇸

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for the kind words, Wendy! It is amazing how many people want heat for their hens. I agree about nature taking its course but others want pampered little hens! Cheers!

[@pakistanihomeactivities]

Amazy sharing

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@vlogsbykhadija]

Lk 67 beautiful chickens and nice tips12.34 fully enjoy your video see you around ❤

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for watching, commenting and the like! Cheers!

[@ShifuDigital]

Very interesting and informative content.Full ⌚👍🔔

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you for watching and commenting! Please subscribe if you love the content. Thanks again!

[@MayfieldRanch]

Great info Rich! I’m lucky with this CA weather. I don’t have to do much to keep them warm.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

You have it sooooooo nice out in your area. You could almost grow year around. Not here!!

[@rhondaredeemedprodigal]

Aww thank you for sharing your beautiful girls during the day and night. They are beautiful ❤️😍. I'm staying in our basement and I'm all snuggled in my fleece blankets as I watch your video. I'm freezing 🥶🤢 down here 😆. Take care ❤️😘

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Get your warm jacket on and get outside for a while!! I make sure I get outside every day to explore. Makes me realize how nice and warm it is inside! Thanks for stopping by Rhonda! Have a great week!

[@rhondaredeemedprodigal]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm yeah I go out every day. Thank you ❤️. In a middle of divorce so we took the warm master bedroom and bathroom. I'm in the basement. Nothing like a narcissist 😆. Im an overcomer!!!!!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@rhondaredeemedprodigal Sorry you're dealing with that. We'll be thinking of you!

[@Bigmouth660]

My grandmother had chickens. No electricity to the coop. At 8 years old we went to feed them in the early morning. It was very cold. I asked her if we should bring a heater inside the coop. She laughed and said they keep themselves warm with all their feathers. She also said "what if they knocked it over and started a fire ? There goes all the birds." It was a experience i will never forget

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

That's a smart woman! She knew what to do! With the exterior feathers and their down jacket underneath, our hens are plenty warm all winter! Thanks for stopping by to watch and comment! Cheers!

[@TheNepaliAmbiance]

Great footage of all these creatures - very dramatic! It’s good to see the mink I don’t think we get them where we are although

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Theya re all happy and healthy! Thank you for watching and commenting! We appreciate your support! Cheers!

[@DawnRaeB]

Thank you !! I had been confident about not wrapping the coop up until we had 20 degrees. Then I started to second-guess. Now I feel confident in letting them be as is. I do not want to give them a moist situation (I winter-camped in my shed on weekends and I know that damp is the worst). Thank you so much for this video. It is reassuring.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Your girls are just fine. They will keep warm all winter! Don't second guess. They will be fine!

[@acdcacres]

Yes! We live north of you (Manitoba) and don't heat either.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

While they might not like it being cold out, the hens handle it just fine. Thanks for stopping by and watching! Cheers from Minnesota to Manitoba!!

[@danthiesen4778]

Most of my girls snuggle up with each other and it's June, there is so much room on the roost bars I might be able to get 240 chickens on 1 bar 😂

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I think it's them fighting for space and pecking order. Our girls are all snuggled on the top rung of the roost. Even our 1-month chicks are snuggled on the top board on their roost. It can't be for warmth (in June). I think it's pecking order and power. They must be warm!

[@katherinecain7821]

I can’t imagine what they go through when their combs are getting frost bite.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

There has been a small amount of frostbite on the very ends of their combs. If they are cold, they will bury their head (and comb) in their feathers. Over five years and many nights of -20f Minnesota nights, the hens have been good.

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Great point about not wrapping in plastic, that's something I'd probably do cause I wouldn't no better. Interesting that the light keeps production up !! Pack mentality!! I'll have to try tucking my head when I get cold 😂 I'm curious about the straw, do you guys just throw more straw down over the winter then do a big clean up or are you on a more frequent schedule for cleaning? Great tour Rich Cheers Jason and Colleen 🌱🐔🌱😁

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We throw down straw inside the coop all winter. Outside, not as much. We clean up all the straw in late March, when spring arrives. Inside the coop, the straw (carbon) mixes with the chicken droppings (nitrogen) to make compost all winter. This "deep litter method" starts to compost during the winter. As it breaks down, it produces heat on the ground. Helps give the girls some heat and it gives me a LOT of compost in the spring! Cheers!

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm perfect !! That makes so much sense Rich !! I saw the benefits of "chicken compost" first hand this summer but wasn't sure how you managed it in your situation!! Definitely a win-win!! Cheers

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@clivesconundrumgarden Our ladies produce a LOT of compost over the winter!! Cheers!

[@kimbean]

Hi! I contemplated on heat and actually got a flat panel radiant heater for super cold nights. I only have 4 chickens so there's not a lot of community heat...lol. I also wrapped just the run outside with plastic. Hope I didn't screw up.🙄

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Just watch out for the heater. Four hens will give off a lot of heat. If the hens get used to the heat, and your power goes out, you could lose the whole group. We don't heat at all. The hens are just fine! Cheers Kim!

[@kimbean]

The heater is a radiant heat. There's hardly any heat from it. They dot next to it if they wanna but still not much warmth. Thanks

[@kimbean]

Sit next to...not dot,! Hahaha

[@kentuckycowboy7660]

😮😮😮 think about how do pheasants and grouse and doves survive in the wild. 🌳 I’ve added bushes around the corners of the coop run. And around the roost bars I’ve placed plastic hard panels to knock down the wind and keep out the rain. /Agreed with Rich the moisture is terrible for the girls. A science 🧪 experiment My mini-greenhouse on my raised bed has a bunch of moisture on the plastic every morning, so what would The girl’s breathing in…moisture of course. Great for plants

[@MiniatureChickenChannel]

@8:07 Rich....I think you may be the only one to be that considerate...to keep your voice down while your girls are sleeping lol. I don't have a luxury pole barn for my girls....and they hate the wind....so considering wrapping their run in plastic...at least partially....to keep the wind off them. 1k views after your video released...NICE. 190K views total for your entire channel! Your subs will surely pop off soon. I know your humble and never ask or remind for people to subscribe....but might be worth trying....as you guys are providing a huge amount of info for chicken owners! Take care...

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I'll try to remind people. My thoughts have always been that people will subscribe because they like the content, not because I ask them. Maybe I'll remind them more. I couldn't believe how this took off but a lot of it is people from Facebook who are coming over. I didn't want to be loud in the evening. I figured I'd wake everyone up and I wouldn't get good video. Thanks for watching and your notes! I appreciate your help!! Have a great Thanksgiving!

[@MiniatureChickenChannel]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Thanks for the reply Rich/Holly I just now realized you have a FB page!! NICE work you 2. I wonder if you post a quick link and note to your community tab here on YT....if it would give your subscribers a reminder to come back and watch your content? I'm trying it with the silly shorts i started publishing....see what happens....can't hurt. If I get unsubs...I know I'm being too annoying lol.

[@MiniatureChickenChannel]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm I see your tags here on YT have been on-point...nice work. Be patient...216 videos...your subs will surely pop off soon. Hopefully your ask every now and then will speed it up too.

[@katherinecain7821]

Tucked next to Each other because they are trying to stay warm. A few heat panels would be amazingly KIND of you. Why not give them a little help.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The point is that the hens have been bred to stay warm in the cold. We have no breeze in the barn and they have the feathers, and down coat, to stay warm. If I had heat panels and the power went out, they would be dependent on the panels, and not able to handle the quick drop in temp. Our deep litter gives off heat, I have hens bred for the cold and they are fine. I also don't have a clue how many heat panels I'd need for 60 hens. With a protected barn (or outdoor coop), deep litter, corn at night on the coldest nights, our hens are well protected.

[@willie9767]

I'm just want them to lay eggs 😊😅❤😂

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We've got the lights on from 6am to 10pm, keep the deep litter for heat and keep them on a routine. Our hens lay all year 'round. If yours haven't started, I hope they do soon. Thanks for stopping by to watch and comment!!

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

Chickens are hardy from my experience! Folks here just use a light for heat in winter but not sure how the 24 hours of light effects them?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We use 16 hours of light which simulates summer. So far they lay eggs all year 'round. I haven't seen a negative effect. Cheers Gary!

[@jenifferf9061]

We live up near Stillwater and I’m interested in chicken keeping we have about 6 acres and I just worry about the chickens in our cold snaps that stay soo frigid . Do you have a heated water holder ? How is your care for them change summer vs winter ?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We have heated waterers. You will need that in MN. We've got a video on our waterers and other things. They stay inside a lot more in winter. In the summer, they free range all day. They love it and the eggs are awesome! Just buy cold hearty chickens and they will be fine. They are bred for cold weather. Ours do well at -20f. Let us know how we can help you.

[@maryhawken817]

Mine don’t cry like that in your video. How are their combs? Any issues or you don’t have concerns.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Each flock has its own language or sounds. This group had a lot of higher pitched sounds. Our current group doesn't make that sound at all. Their combs may get a tiny bit of frostbite on the very tips. I have no concerns about the safety of our hens. They are safe, happy and are always healthy. They are designed for the cool weather. It's deadlier on them to be in heat. They do well in winter!

[@sloanehodge6065]

How large is your chicken barn? It looks Awesome!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The part that the girls are in is about 30 x 30 feet. There is a small storage area behind the fencing. With all the space, and vertical areas (table, roosts, etc.) they seem to have ample space. Hope this helps!

[@sloanehodge6065]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Yes! Thank you for responding so fast!!

[@jrhelgeson]

Why did you abandon the old chicken coop? It looks very nice.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We've outgrown the smaller coop. We use it for several things during the year. In the spring, I bring my plants in there to harden off before going to the garden. The protection in the walls is perfect to keep the predators (chickens) away from the plants! Once it is warm enough, we bring the new chicks out to the small coop to grow to maturity, before joining the older gals. With 60 hens now, we wanted them all in one location, so the barn is a natural spot. Great question!!

[@jrhelgeson]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm can we see inside the old poultry palace? That’s a structure that’s within my reach. Where I live, there is no way I could get a fancy pole barn like yours. Also, how many birds did the small one hold?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@jrhelgeson Check out the video "Homemade Chicken Coop & Run DIY." I filmed that last year. It was built so I didn't have to cut things (whole sheets of plywood, 7 foot 2x4's and 3 foot metal fabric. Very little cutting and it is bulletproof for chicken protection. Let me know what you think or if you have questions. As I said in this video, I'd make the roof slightly larger to keep snow from blowing into the coop on the north side.

[@karenthissen2805]

Do you give them cayenne pepper or pepper flakes? I've been hearing more and more about this. I haven't tired it though.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We do not give them any pepper flakes. Do you know why we would do that? I know our hens ate a lot of peppers (and seeds) when we threw some peppers in the compost pile in the fall. Cheers Karen!

[@karenthissen2805]

They say it "warns their bellies" and they'll lay more eggs in the winter. I thought it was kinda weird but I've heard from a few different channels. Maybe just another chicken wife's tale. Haha.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@karenthissen2805 I think it's a wife's tale. Chickens don't taste the "heat" of peppers like humans do. I think people are equating spicy heat with actual heat. If you want heat in their belly, give them corn in the evening. That will give off heat as it digests. That I know is for real. Thanks again for watching Karen! Cheers!

[@renewyckoff545]

Not if you only have 3 hens. Agape

[@londoncity1]

Always impressed with your chicken set up Rich. I don’t pamper mine with heat either.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks Steve! I appreciate your comment!