Winter Care Series-#2

Winter on the Farm: Keeping Free‑Range Chickens Active, Well‑Fed, and Ready for What Comes Next

Winter changes the rhythm of life for free‑range chickens, but it doesn’t slow them down. Here at Misty Valley Acres, our flock still greets each frosty morning with curiosity—some birds stepping boldly into the snow, others eyeing it like it’s a suspicious new invention. With a little creativity, we help them stay active and comfortable outdoors by laying straw paths, offering sheltered spaces, and keeping a close watch for winter predators who get bolder when food is scarce.

Our hoop house provides a warm place to play on cold winter days for the chickens, rabbits and kids!

Cold weather means chickens burn more energy, so increasing nutrition is an important part of winter care. High‑calorie treats like black oil sunflower seeds, warm morning grain mash on the coldest days, oyster shell, and unfrozen water keep the flock healthy. A well‑fed bird is a warm bird, and supporting their bodies from the inside out makes all the difference, especially in egg production, when temperatures dip.

Together, movement and nutrition set the stage for the next chapter of winter poultry life—turning those carefully collected cold‑weather eggs into thriving spring chicks. With the right preparation and a steady hand, the incubator becomes a warm cradle of possibility in the heart of winter.

That’s where we head next: a deep dive into the art and science of hatching chicks during the coldest months of the year.