How to Keep Chickens Warm During Chilly Fall Nights

The days are getting shorter, the evenings are crisp, and your chickens are starting to fluff up their feathers — fall is here! But with these chilly nights, you might be wondering: Do my chickens need extra help staying warm?

Once winter arrives, you’ll want to check out my full guide on How to Care for Chickens in Cold Weather.

Fall can be tricky because of the fluctuating temps — warm, sunny days can quickly turn into chilly, damp nights.

Add in the rain, and it becomes even harder to keep things dry and comfortable for your flock. The cold, wet, and damp conditions can sneak up fast, making it difficult to know exactly how you should be modifying your coop to keep your chickens cozy and healthy.

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Throughout the years of having our own backyard flock, I’ve found that the chickens are really good at adapting and don’t really require too much intervention from me.

On cold, windy, or rainy days, my chickens often choose to stay cozy inside their coop instead of venturing out to forage, even during their usual daytime exploring hours. {note: our coop is inside a very large fenced in area, so we do not “lock” our chicken up. They are always able to free-range.}

Things I Do to Keep My Chickens Warm During Chilly Weather

1. Add extra shavings to the nesting boxes

I layer in extra pine shavings to give the hens a soft, insulated place to rest and lay their eggs. It helps trap warmth and helps block out any drafts from the nesting box door.

2. Keep their feeder full

Chickens burn more calories in cooler weather as they work to maintain body heat. Making sure their feeder is always topped off helps them stay well-fed and energized.

3. Offer chicken scratch daily

Each morning, I toss out 2 cups of scratch grains as extra food choices. The mix includes cracked corn, wheat, and other grains that are slightly higher in fat and carbohydrates — which help generate body heat as the chickens digest them. It’s like a warm snack for them on cold days!

4. Add a bale of hay to block drafts

Inside the free-range area of the coop, I place a bale of hay to help block out any cold wind that sneaks through. It also gives the chickens something to perch on or scratch through for entertainment when the weather keeps them inside. My oldest girl, Twilight, the Asian Black chicken, LOVES this! This is her favorite place to perch when she’s inside the coop.

Once you’ve got these fall basics down, your flock will be in great shape heading into the colder months! When the temperatures really start to dip, be sure to check out my post on How to Care for Chickens in Cold Weather — it’s full of tips to help you winter-proof your coop and keep your hens happy all season long.