Winter chickens focus their body energy on staying warm, which means their immune systems become compromised, lowering disease risks while providing them an opportunity to build some extra insulation fat reserves.
Feeding them nutritious treats is an effective way to provide energy and entertainment, especially during molting when their bodies use all available protein to shed feathers and grow new ones.
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High-Protein Feeds
As the temperature cools down, chickens require more protein to support egg production and help them through molting. While many customers switch to lower protein diets during this time of year, doing so may decrease overall performance.
Affordable and convenient feed solutions for backyard flocks may include high protein feed. It also gives them an opportunity to supplement their diet with other natural sources found outdoors.
Grubbly Fresh Pecks is an excellent combination of pellet and whole grain feed designed to mimic the diet of chickens in nature, providing plant and insect proteins found naturally. Another way to increase protein in their diet is giving cooked eggs as treats; not only will this add some fun activities for your coop but it will provide them with extra calories and nutrition without all of the sodium associated with raw eggs.
Free-Choice Feeding
Chickens are highly adaptable to cold climates, even those with heavy snowfall, yet still need additional assistance during winter to keep themselves healthy, energetic, and egg producing at peak performance.
Supplementing your flock’s base feed with leafy greens, fruit and berries can add essential vitamins and minerals to their diet, mimicking their natural eating habits as they would free-range during summer. Dried insects like black soldier fly grubs can also make an excellent protein-rich treat during the winter season!
Scratch is an irresistibly delicious treat made of whole grains and seeds that’s great for keeping chickens warm in winter months. Chewing and digesting this food boosts metabolism and keeps their temperature even warmer – consider offering your flock some tasty alfalfa hay bales (typically sold to rabbits) during this colder time for extra fiber!
Supplements
People yearning to stay warm during winter crave comforting dishes such as chili and hearty soup; similarly, chickens require food high in protein to increase energy and warmth from within.
Grubbly Fresh Pecks provides both insect protein and high-quality plant proteins to provide your flock with everything they need to thrive this winter.
Additionally to providing them with a high-protein daily ration, consider giving your chickens supplements that contain essential nutrients that they may be missing this winter. Circulation stimulating supplements may help protect them against frostbite while oyster shell supplements provide them with calcium to build strong eggshells.
Treats
Your chickens need extra energy in the winter to remain warm, so to maximize their welfare they should eat foods high in protein and extra calories – the easiest way is giving them treats or scraps full of energy and nutrition that will also keep them entertained while they spend their days cooped up indoors!
Fresh dandelion greens make an easy and delicious treat for your flock, providing essential Vitamin A, potassium, and iron benefits while being highly enjoyable! Plus they taste great too!
Berries make an excellent winter treat for your chickens, offering vitamins A, B complex and C to keep their immune systems strong.
Hang some heads of cabbage in your coop or run to give your girls something fun to play with! Cabbage contains high levels of folate, vitamin C and K as well as being an attractive worm attractant.
