Here in Idaho, chickens can live outside in the winter, but they will need some help and special considerations. In no way, will I say that there are absolutes in taking care of our feathered friends, but let’s look at some of the basics.
Shelter. Generally, mature chickens can handle an outside temperature to about 30°. This being said, they will still need shelter from the elements. A dry and draft-free shelter or coop is essential. This shelter should also have good ventilation, because damp air can lead to frostbite or other health problems. Piling the litter in the coop higher in the winter than you would do during the warmer months will also help. Choice of litters ranges from straw (which composts well with the chicken poop for a great fertilizer), to pine bedding, and other natural litters.
The number of chickens you have will determine if you need to heat the coop or not. A good number of chickens will huddle together for warmth, and, believe it or not, chickens will generate quite a bit of heat. If heat is needed, then other factors need to be taken into consideration. A heat lamp is the most common way to warm a coop, and I recommend a red light, because it has been found to reduce pecking. If you need your cluckers to continue laying, a white bulb can be used to increase the amount of perceived daylight, as layers need about 14 hours of daylight to maintain good production.
The coop also must provide solid protection against predators, whose resources may be limited during the winter months. Common predators that you will want to beware of include birds of prey, foxes, raccoons, wolves, and even cats.
Nutritional needs. Like any animal that is outside in the winter, chickens need to keep warm, and you can help them to do so by providing a good feed. Zamzows’ 20% Layer Crumbles is a great feed and, in most cases, can be used as a sole ration. Cracked corn or scratch grains can also be used in addition to a layer blend. All of these feeds can be found at any of our 10 Zamzows stores.
My biggest concern is water. Chickens need ample amounts of fresh, clean water year around, and keeping the water from freezing is highly important. Zamzows offers heated waterers, as well as heaters for the waterer you already have. The other option is constantly switching out waterers, bowls, or buckets throughout the day. Also, keep in mind that chickens use more water in the early hours than later in the day, so if you take the route of a non-heated waterer, you should make sure to get fresh water out there in the early morning.
Breeds. When selecting the types of chickens you want, look for ones that deal better with the cold, of course. Breeds that have smaller wattles and combs usually do better against frostbite. Ameraucanas, Plymouth Rocks, and Wellsummers are some of the breeds that make a great choice for the cold Idaho climate.
What you can do. Chickens will want and need to go outside of the coop in the winter, so provide places for them to go that are free of snow and where they can move about. You can do this by just setting out a tarp or putting down hay. Keep in mind that folks have been raising chickens for a long time, and that chickens do a lot to take care of themselves. As in any case, Zamzows is here to help you with every step of the way.