What To Feed Chickens To Keep Them Warm In Winter
Winter nights are getting colder, your coop feels like an icebox, and you cannot help but worry: are your chickens warm enough? You see them fluffed up, standing on one leg, looking a little miserable, and the guilt kicks in: “What if they are cold and I am not doing enough?”
I have been right there with you every January, staring at my girls and wondering the same thing. The truth is, chickens are surprisingly tough. They have built-in down jackets, but the right foods can give them an extra internal heater at night.
In this guide, I will show you the smartest winter feeds that create real body warmth through digestion (yes, eating actually warms them up), which ones to give, how much, and when, so your flock stays cozy without you having to heat the coop.
How Chickens Actually Stay Warm (and Why Food Helps More Than You Think)
Chickens do not shiver as we do. Instead, they fluff their feathers to trap air (like a natural puffy coat), tuck their head under a wing, and stand on one leg to keep one foot warm. But the real heat factory is inside: digestion.
When a chicken eats and breaks down food in her crop and gizzard, her body produces heat, a process called thermogenesis.
High-energy foods (especially carbs and fats) create more heat than low-energy ones. That is why a belly full of the right stuff before roost time acts like an internal furnace all night long.
Read also: How To Keep Chicken Water From Freezing Without Electricity
The Best “Warming” Foods for Chickens in Winter
Focus on calorie-dense, easy-to-digest foods that generate heat during digestion. These are the ones backyard keepers rely on most:
1. Scratch Grains (Corn, Wheat, Oats): The Classic Heat Boost
Corn is the king of winter chicken feeds. It is high in carbohydrates, which the body converts to energy and heat very efficiently. Many old-timers call it “chicken fuel.”
How to feed:
- Give a handful per bird late in the afternoon (about 1 to 2 hours before roost)
- Mix cracked corn with wheat and oats for variety
- Avoid all-day free choice; too much corn can cause obesity or fatty liver
Pro tip: Scatter it in deep litter so they scratch and forage; extra activity = extra warmth.
2. Warm Mashes & Oatmeal: Comfort Food That Really Warms
A warm mash feels good going down and keeps generating heat for hours. Oats are especially good because they are high in fiber and slow-release energy.
Simple recipe (for 6 to 8 hens):
- 2 cups rolled oats or quick oats
- Hot water (not boiling, just very warm)
- Optional add-ins: handful of scratch grains, chopped greens, cooked veggies
Pour hot water over oats, stir to porridge consistency, let it cool to warm (not hot), and serve in a pan. They will devour it and stay warmer overnight.
3. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: Fat for Long-Lasting Heat
Fats produce more than twice the heat of carbs when digested. Black oil sunflower seeds are the perfect balance: high fat, good protein, and easy to digest.
How to feed:
- Offer 1 to 2 tablespoons per bird in the late afternoon
- Mix with scratch or feed as a treat
- Don’t overdo it; too much fat can cause weight gain
4. Mealworms & Other Protein Snacks: Bonus Warmth
Protein digestion also creates heat. Dried mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, or scrambled eggs are great occasional boosts.
Limit to 10 to 20% of daily intake, as too much protein stresses the kidneys in cold weather.
Foods to Avoid in Winter (They Can Make Things Worse)
- Too Much Scratch all Day: Fills them up without enough nutrition
- Wet or Frozen Treats: Lowers body temperature
- High-Salt Treats: Causes thirst and dehydration risk
- Moldy or Spoiled Food: Weakens the immune system when they need it most
Quick Winter Feeding Schedule That Works
A simple routine I use every cold season:
- Morning: normal layer feed (free-choice)
- Mid-afternoon: a small handful of scratch or seeds per bird
- Late afternoon (1 to 2 hours before roost): warm oatmeal mash or extra layer feed
- Night: no food; an empty crop helps them stay warmer
Always provide fresh, unfrozen water; add a little apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp per gallon) to encourage drinking and support gut health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Corn Make My Chickens Fat in Winter?
Not if you limit it to a small handful in the afternoon. It’s a treat, not the main diet; layer feed should still be the bulk of what they eat.
Can I Give My Chickens Warm Water Instead of Broth?
Yes. Warm water encourages drinking in cold weather. Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for extra gut support (1 tbsp per gallon).
Do I Need To Heat the Coop if I Feed Warming Foods?
Usually, no; healthy, well-fed chickens handle freezing temps fine with good bedding and wind protection. Focus on draft-free coops and deep litter instead.
Is it Okay to Feed Oatmeal Every Day?
Yes, in moderation; rolled oats are nutritious and warming. Just don’t replace layer feed; use it as a late-day treat.
Conclusion
Chickens stay warm in winter mostly by fluffing feathers and tucking in, but giving them calorie-dense foods in the late afternoon turns digestion into an internal heater that keeps them comfortable all night.
A handful of scratch, a warm oat mash, or some sunflower seeds is often all it takes to see brighter combs, more eggs, and happier birds, even when it is freezing outside.
Pick one warming food to try tomorrow afternoon; maybe start with corn or oats and watch how your flock responds. They will perk up, eat eagerly, and roost with full tummies ready to face the cold.
What is your flock’s favorite winter treat? Drop it in the comments. I am always looking for new ideas to keep my girls cozy, too!
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