As the days grow shorter and the temperatures begin to drop, it’s time to prepare your flock for the changing seasons. Knowing how to care for your chickens in the fall is essential for ensuring they stay healthy, happy, and productive through the autumn months and are ready for the winter ahead. This involves paying attention to their diet, their coop, and the natural process of molting.
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🍂 Understanding and Managing the Molt
Fall is the time when chickens go through a natural process called molting, where they lose their old, worn-out feathers and grow a new set to prepare for the cold of winter. During this time, which can last for several weeks, your hens will likely stop laying eggs. This is because growing new feathers is an incredibly protein-intensive process. You can support them through the molt by switching to a high-protein feed (around 20% protein) and offering protein-rich treats like sunflower seeds or mealworms.
🏠 How to Prepare the Coop for Colder Weather
Now is the perfect time to give your coop a thorough cleaning and prepare it for winter. Remove all the old bedding and scrub the interior to reduce the risk of pests and disease. After it dries, add a thick, fresh layer of bedding, like pine shavings. This is also the time to check for and seal up any drafts in the coop. While ventilation is crucial to prevent moisture buildup, a direct, cold draft can be harmful to your chickens’ health. Ensure there is good airflow high up in the coop, but seal any holes at roosting level.
💡 To Light or Not to Light: The Egg Production Question
As the amount of daylight decreases in the fall, your hens’ egg production will naturally slow down and may stop altogether. Some chicken keepers choose to add a supplemental light in the coop on a timer to simulate a longer day (about 14-15 hours of light) and keep the hens laying through the winter. This is a personal choice. Many farmers prefer to let their hens have a natural rest period during the winter, allowing them to conserve their energy for the colder months.
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