In this episode of Purely Vetted, Nikki Husted and Dr. Blayne Mozisek answer questions about getting backyard chickens ready for winter. Chickens need heat in the winter to not just survive, but thrive. They talk about when chicks are ready to go outside in the cold, how to prep the coop, and why controlling drafts and wind matters so much. They compare heat lamps with radiant heaters and talk about keeping water from freezing. They also cover whether to add supplemental light to keep hens laying, and how to tell from your birds’ behavior if they’re cold.

Dr. Blayne and Nikki also take on popular winter myths, like chili flakes, warm oatmeal and feeding extra corn. They cover how to prevent and handle frostbite on feet, combs and wattles, how to treat mites without getting birds wet in freezing weather, and how to keep rodents out. They also explain why bedding choice matters once temperatures drop.

Check out how Dr. Blayne prepares his coop for winter and listen to why the warm mash myth doesn’t quite hold up.

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00:00:00 Intro

00:02:36 Chicks Outside in Winter?

00:05:39 Broody Hens and Chicks in the Cold

00:06:31 Winter Coop Prep: Drafts, Power, and Ventilation

00:10:01 Heat Lamps vs Radiant Heaters for Chickens

00:12:40 How to Tell If Your Chickens Are Cold

00:14:44 Should You Use Supplemental Light for Winter Egg Laying

00:16:52 What Temperature Should a Chicken Coop Be in Winter

00:19:36 Winter Supplements and Myths

00:20:59 Frostbite on Chicken Feet, Combs, and Wattles

00:24:23 Treating Mites in Winter

00:27:57 Covering the Coop

00:29:29 Keeping Mice and Rats Out

00:31:46 Best Winter Bedding

00:33:47 Should You Feed Chickens Extra Calories in Winter

00:35:50 Wrap Up