10 Steps To Winterize Your Chicken Coop & Run
You can stop now if you’re worried about your chickens and how they’ll manage in their coop during cold winters. Chickens fare better in frigid temperatures than they do in heat waves. The steps to winterizing your chicken coop are simple and inexpensive, and this article will cover them thoroughly. Put your mind at ease and follow my simple 10-point checklist to get ready. Winter is coming, and you got this.

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How Cold is Too Cold for Chickens?
Chickens can generally handle cold temperatures down to around 20°F (-6°C) without much trouble, provided they have a dry, draft-free coop. Below this point, their ability to maintain body heat becomes more difficult, and frostbite on combs and wattles can occur. Sometimes the frostbite becomes severe.
Even when temperatures drop to 0°F (-18°C) or lower, chickens can survive without supplemental heat if they have proper shelter, plenty of dry bedding, and access to unfrozen water. Keeping the coop dry and free from drafts is important to help them naturally conserve their body heat.
Chickens naturally huddle together for warmth, and having a good-sized flock can help them stay comfortable during cold nights. The body heat they generate as a group is surprisingly effective at keeping them warm, especially in a properly winterized coop. Ideally, you want at least 4-6 chickens to maintain enough collective heat, but the more you have, the better they’ll manage in the cold!
What is the Best Way to Winterize a Chicken Coop and Run?
Chickens do quite well in the cold winter months; the problem is not so much the cold but the threat of humidity, which can not only cause debilitating frostbite but can even kill them from the chill the moisture can cause.
To winterize your chicken coop effectively, it is crucial to eliminate moisture and humidity as much as possible. You need to create a draft-free environment inside their coops while also allowing ventilation up high, well above the roosts where they sleep, to allow the humidity to escape.
If you do nothing else to your coop — do that one thing. It is enough for most chicken owners, even those of us in Canada.
A chicken coop does not need insulation or dangerous and expensive coop heaters. It just needs to be draft-free while still allowing for ventilation up high. Your chickens will huddle together for warmth and be fine.
Your chicken coop runs should be designed to allow for a windbreak and a spot where the snow and snow drifts won’t enter. Providing a covered dust bath you can allow them access to is a nice touch, and they will appreciate it.
Let’s explore more details of how a few simple coop management steps can make life easier for you and your chicken in the winter months.

1. Eliminate All Drafts From Your Coop
Drafts are the last thing your chickens need during the winter. At nighttime, they can especially cause great discomfort and pain when temperatures drop even lower.
To find the drafts in your coops, run your hand along the walls, around windows, and along the edges of doors. Pay special attention to where the roosting bars are, around corners or gaps where the walls meet the roof. If you feel cold air sneaking in, that’s a draft your chickens will feel as well.
Use materials like weather stripping or heavy-duty plastic sheeting to seal these gaps. Even some scrap wood, simple heavy sheets, or old blankets can do the job. The goal is to ensure your chickens aren’t sitting in the path of any cold air while they’re roosting.
If your coop has windows, consider covering them completely with a piece of cloth that allows light to enter. We do this step every winter.
If your coop is very drafty, consider going to a thrift store and getting a bunch of cheap, old, heavier blankets—preferably made of natural, breathable materials—to prevent condensation and elevated humidity. Nail those blankets up on the walls all the way up to the roof.
It’s not pretty, but it will do the trick and is a quick and cheap way to eliminate drafts.
2. Add Ventilation Up High — Above The Roosting Area
While drafts are bad news, good ventilation is still key to a healthy winter coop and healthy chickens.
Chickens produce a lot of moisture through their breath and droppings, and if that moisture doesn’t have a way to escape, it can lead to damp conditions inside the coop. Dampness is the true enemy in winter—it can cause frostbite even when it’s not super cold. The dampness will also make the air feel colder in general. We live in Ontario and have very damp, uncomfortable winters. Even when our temperatures aren’t that low, the humidity will make it feel much colder.
It will feel this way for your chickens, too.
To prevent this, make sure you have ventilation openings up high, well above where your chickens roost. This lets humid air escape without letting cold gusts blow directly on your birds. You can cut vents into the walls near the roofline or install small windows that can be cracked open slightly.
Just make sure any openings are protected with hardware cloth to keep predators out. Try to angle them so that too much snow and rain won’t enter the coop. Ours are right where the coop walls meet the ceiling and cut underneath where the outside roof hangs over the walls.
Keep the openings away from the roosting bars so they’re not right above the sleeping chickens.

3. Consider the Deep Litter Method
I genuinely do not understand why everyone doesn’t use the deep litter system for coop management, especially during the winter months. Do you like to spend balmy January mornings cleaning out dirty chicken bedding? Because I really don’t.
The deep litter method is a low-maintenance way to keep your coop warmer during the winter while also managing waste. And there are health benefits for your chickens in this method too. It’s like creating a cozy, composting blanket for your chickens. Instead of cleaning out the bedding frequently, you add fresh layers of material—like straw, chopped straw, wood shavings, or pine chips—on top of the old. As the layers build up, the litter starts to compost, naturally generating a bit of heat for the coop.
Scatter a few handfuls of scratch or corn into the coop each time you add fresh litter, your chickens will spend their time searching for the treats while also helping to turn the composting material for you.
During the winter months you will want to pay attention to the weather and add extra litter right before any cold snap or deep freeze, the area underneath the roosting bars where the most waste will pile up should have even more material added.
Related: All About The Deep Litter Method For Chicken Coop Health
4. Water Inside the Coop Can Be Dangerous
Keeping water inside the coop during winter might seem convenient, but it’s actually a bad idea. Water adds moisture to the air, and as the humidity rises, it creates damp conditions. That extra moisture can lead to frostbite on your chickens’ combs and wattles, even when the temperatures aren’t extreme.
To avoid this, keep the water outside the coop in a spot that’s sheltered from the elements. If freezing is an issue, use a heated waterer or change the water frequently to ensure it stays unfrozen. By keeping the water outside, you’ll help maintain a dry, healthy environment inside the coop, reducing the risk of frostbite and respiratory issues.
Related: How To Keep Chicken Water From Freezing Once & For All

5. Consider an Automatic Coop Door Opener & Closer
These things are seriously the best, and I wouldn’t even want chickens without one.
Winter mornings are rough, especially when you’re trying to stay warm inside and don’t want to get up early to let the chickens out. This is where an automatic coop door opener and closer can be a game-changer. It saves you the hassle of trudging out in freezing weather at the crack of dawn and ensures that your chickens still get outside during the sparse daylight hours, even if you’re not there to open the door.
These devices are easy to install and can be set on a timer or light sensor, so the door opens in the morning and closes at dusk. This way, your chickens can enjoy their time outside without you having to be on the clock, and they’ll be safely locked inside when it gets dark.
It’s a great way to keep both you and your chickens happy during the colder months.
6. Feeding Chickens in Winter
In winter, your chickens can use a little extra care when it comes to feeding them. Cold weather means they burn more energy to stay warm, so quality feed is more important than ever. Fermented feed is a great option because it’s easier to digest and more nutrient-dense, giving your birds more bang for their buck. It also helps with gut health, which is always a plus.
Adding extra protein to their diet is another good idea. Meat scraps, the occasional bit of cheese, or other dairy can give them that protein boost they need. I always give my chickens the carcass leftover from making bone broth to pick at. I also give them weekly rations of scrambled eggs. I do this year-round, but in the wintertime, it really matters so much more.
Since grass and pastures are pretty much gone in winter, consider sprouting seeds or growing fodder. It’s an easy way to give your chickens some fresh greens, even when everything outside is dead. Just don’t go overboard on greens because their feed and extra protein should really be the priority.
Provide your chickens with grit in the winter even if you don’t do this the rest of the year, especially as they’re not free-ranging and foraging as much. Grit helps them digest their food properly, breaking down tougher feeds like grains and fermented feed, so make sure it’s always available in a small feeder.
Related: What To Feed Chickens During Winter and Fermenting Chicken Feed For Healthier Hens, Better Eggs, & Cost Savings

7. Give Them a Dust Bath
Even in winter, chickens need access to a dust bath to keep their feathers clean and parasite-free. However, keeping the dust bath inside the coop isn’t a good idea. The dust can easily become airborne and lead to respiratory issues for your chickens. Instead, set up a dust bath in a covered part of the run where it’s protected from rain and snow.
You can easily make one by filling a shallow bin or container with a mix of sand, wood ash, and a little diatomaceous earth. Don’t complicate it. Keep it covered to prevent moisture buildup, then uncover it daily or every other day to let the chickens enjoy it. This way, they still get the benefits of a dust bath without creating a mess inside the coop or having it ruined by the weather.
8. Properly Winterize the Chicken Run
To keep your chickens comfortable outside during winter, you’ll want to winterize their run so it’s sheltered from wind, snow, and rain. Start by wrapping the sides of the run with clear plastic sheeting or tarps, securing them tightly to block the wind while still allowing sunlight through. This creates a greenhouse effect, keeping the run warmer without losing natural light.
For snow and rain, a simple roof or lean-to structure over part of the run will keep it dry. If the run doesn’t have a roof, even an old tarp stretched tightly over the top can make a big difference in keeping out precipitation. Make sure the edges are secure so they don’t flap in the wind and scare the chickens. With a properly winterized run, your flock can still enjoy the fresh air and exercise without being exposed to harsh weather.

9. Managing Nest Boxes and Egg Laying
During winter, it’s important to collect eggs promptly since they can freeze and crack in cold temperatures. Cracked eggs should be discarded, composted, or scrambled and fed back to the flock or a dog to avoid waste. Keeping the nest boxes clean is also key to preventing dirty or broken eggs—fresh bedding in the boxes will help with that.
If you want to maintain egg production, adding supplemental lighting can extend daylight hours, but be cautious. Constant laying can take a toll on hens, so consider giving them a break during the winter months to keep them healthy and well-rested.
Related: Keep Hens Laying Eggs All Winter (Tips, Pros & Cons)
10. Treating Frostbite in Chickens
Even with the best winter preparations, frostbite can still happen, especially to chickens’ combs and wattles. If you notice any black or white spots on these areas, that’s a sign of frostbite. The first thing to do is bring the chicken inside to gently warm up the affected areas. Don’t rub the frostbitten skin; just let it warm gradually.
Once the chicken is warmer, you can apply an ointment like petroleum jelly or a product specifically for frostbite to help protect the skin. Keeping frostbitten chickens out of the cold until they recover is important, as continued exposure can make it worse. Moving forward, make sure your coop is draft-free and dry to prevent more cases.

Stock Up on Supplies Now
Winter can throw a lot of unexpected challenges your way, so it’s smart to stock up on all the essentials before the cold really sets in. Make sure you have plenty of feed, extra bedding, and any supplements your chickens might need. Having backup waterers or heated waterers ready to go is also a good idea, as frozen water can be a major hassle.
Don’t forget things like spare bulbs for heat lamps (if you use them), tarps, and extra weatherproofing materials. It’s easier to handle these things now than to scramble in the middle of a snowstorm when supplies might be harder to come by. Being well-prepared means less stress for you and a smoother winter for your flock.
Create a Winter First Aid Kit for Chickens
Having a well-stocked first aid kit for your chickens is a smart move, especially during winter when health issues like frostbite or respiratory problems are more likely. Your kit should include essentials like petroleum jelly or frostbite cream for treating combs and wattles, antiseptic spray for minor cuts, and electrolytes to help keep them hydrated in cold weather.
You’ll also want to have wound care supplies like gauze, scissors, and vet wrap, as well as a syringe for administering fluids or medicine if needed. Adding some poultry-specific vitamins or supplements can also help boost their immune systems through the cold months. Keeping everything together and easily accessible can save you time and stress when winter throws an unexpected challenge your way.

Choosing Cold-Hardy Breeds
When it comes to preparing for winter, the breed of chicken you raise makes a big difference. Cold-hardy breeds like Orpingtons, Wyandottes, and Australorps are better equipped to handle freezing temperatures thanks to their thicker feathering and smaller combs and wattles, which makes them less prone to frostbite.
If you’re planning to expand your flock or start fresh, it’s worth choosing breeds that naturally thrive in colder climates. These hardy birds won’t just survive winter—they’ll stay more comfortable and productive throughout the season, making your winter chicken care that much easier.
Culling Chickens Before Winter
Part of responsible chicken ownership is knowing when it’s time to cull birds that aren’t thriving. Ill, unhealthy, or very old chickens will struggle through the winter, and it’s often kinder to cull them before the cold sets in. Keeping these birds around can lead to unnecessary suffering, as the harsh conditions are harder on them.
Old hens and roosters don’t have to go to waste either—they make excellent coq au vin or can be used for rich, flavorful bone broth. Culling can be a tough decision, but it’s a practical and humane part of managing your flock through winter.
Winterizing your chicken coop doesn’t have to be complicated, but it’s important to do it right. Focus on keeping drafts out, providing good ventilation, and ensuring your flock has access to fresh water and nutritious food.
Don’t forget to stock up on supplies, and avoid keeping water inside the coop to prevent moisture buildup. Make sure your chickens have enough space to stay warm together but not too much that they can’t huddle efficiently. With a few thoughtful steps, you can keep your chickens healthy and comfortable all winter long.
If you remember nothing else, keep the coop draft-free while providing ventilation high above the roosting area.