Feeding Chickens in Winter: What Your Flock Needs to Thrive
FarmCo Team
Keep your chooks healthy, happy, and laying through the colder months
Winter can be a tough season for backyard and small-farm poultry. Cold mornings, shorter days, and reduced access to natural forage mean your chickens rely more heavily on you for the right nutrition. If you’re wondering what and how to feed your flock in winter, you’ve come to the right place.
Here’s a simple, practical guide to keeping your hens well-fed, warm, and productive this season.
Why Feeding Needs Change in Winter
Chickens use more energy in winter to stay warm, and with less foraging available, their diet needs to work harder to deliver what they’re missing.
More energy needed to maintain body temperature, especially overnight.
Less natural protein from bugs and plants means more protein should come from feed.
Reduced daylight can impact egg production, making balanced nutrition even more essential.
Winter Poultry Nutrition Essentials
Protein: Boost for Health and Laying
Vital for egg production and feather health, especially during cold, wet weather.
Young birds need extra protein to support growth and development.
Sources include: quality commercial feed, mealworms, lupins, and leafy greens.
Carbohydrates: Energy for Warmth
Grains like wheat, barley, and corn give birds the extra energy they need on cold days.
Feed a grain mix in the afternoon to help chickens generate warmth overnight.
Greens & Vitamins
Leafy greens are packed with Vitamin A, E, and calcium—perfect for immune support.
Winter foraging is limited, so supplement with kitchen greens like spinach, silverbeet, or broccoli (avoid anything from the “do not feed” list below).
Water: Always Available
Chickens still drink a surprising amount, even in cool weather.
Make sure water is clean and unfrozen; upsized drinkers or automatic systems help ensure they don’t run dry.
Grit & Shell Grit: For Digestion & Shell Strength
Grit helps chickens grind their food in the gizzard.
Shell grit adds calcium to prevent thin or soft eggshells.
Foods to Avoid (Even in Winter)
While chickens love scraps, some foods should always be avoided:
Avocado, chocolate, caffeine – toxic to chickens.
Onion & garlic (in excess) – can cause anemia.
Raw/dried beans – toxic lectins can cause serious illness.
Green potatoes/tomatoes, rhubarb leaves, citrus – digestive upset or toxicity.
Choose High-Quality Australian Made Feed
Feeding a balanced, locally made poultry feed ensures your flock gets everything they need—especially when winter conditions limit foraging.
At FarmCo, we proudly stock:
Super Poultry Mix & Layer Blend from WA Consolidated Grain Products (Cunderdin).
Thompson & Redwood20kg bags, including Poultry Mix (whole seeds and grains) and Premium Laying Pellets (complete nutrition).
These feeds are tailored to local conditions and made to meet the needs of layers and growing birds through all seasons.
Feeders & Drinkers for Winter
Cold weather can make feeding trickier—but the right equipment can help.
Upsize your drinker in winter to avoid running out in the cold.
Automatic drinkers are a great set-and-forget option if you’re away for a day or two.
Always clean up uneaten scraps daily and top up water to prevent freezing or contamination.
Need a Hand?
Feeding chickens through winter doesn’t have to be hard. With the right knowledge, quality feed, and a few simple tools, your flock will stay healthy, productive, and warm all season long.
For personalised advice or help choosing the best feed or gear: Call us on 9651 1312
Visit us in-store at Moora or Yerecoin
We’re a family-owned WA rural store and we love helping locals care for their chooks.
