If you live in a mild climate, you probably don’t need to do anything special to your chicken coop in the winter. But, if you live in a harsher climate, there are a few steps you can take to safeguard the health of your flock, and ensure continued production through the winter months.
Free range chickens are obviously exposed to more weather than those who are kept in controlled housing. Although I feel the benefits of free-ranging your chickens far outweigh the risks, it does generally result in lower production and in extreme weather can be dangerous for your flock. Even free-range chickens need some type of shelter at night — both for warmth in harsh weather, and for protection from predators. By taking a few precautions, you can minimize the dangers and keep your flock healthy and happy through the winter.