5 Fall Care Tips For Backyard Chickens
Summer is beginning to wind down and the longest day is behind us. While the heat may still be here for some time, in our region, the trees have already begun to drop their leaves. Even though cooler temperatures aren’t here yet there are many things you can do to help set yourself and your flock up for a peaceful and productive fall season ahead.
Egg production will naturally decrease as the days become shorter. The fall and winter season mean less eggs for many backyard chicken owners. Now is the time to begin to preserve eggs for long term winter use. As the days grow shorter, your flock’s productivity will naturally wane as time brings you closer to the shortest day of the year. Don’t worry! A gradual decline in egg production as your flock heads into the winter season is normal. You will likely experience a few egg free days in the depths of winter as you near the winter solstice but don’t worry, egg production will resume as the days become longer again. *I do not recommend the use of artificial light to unnaturally prolong your chickens laying cycle. This can reduce their lifespan by as much as half as well as cause many other health ailments. *
To support your chickens as their bodies are adapting to the changes that the fall season brings, consider supplementing their regular complete chicken feed with nutritious seasonal treats. A pumpkin or a squash cut in half makes a great treat for your chickens as well as a form of enrichment. Grocery stores and farmers markets will often have sections of slightly damaged produce you can get at a reduced price to make deluxe chicken treats. High protein treats like meal worms and fly larvae are also healthy for your chickens. In addition to supporting their productivity these types of treats also assist with feather replacement. I only offer my flock treats 3 times per week to be sure I don’t accidentally create a nutritional imbalance and to ensure my flock is still getting the majority of their nutrition from their complete chicken feed. Continue to provide your flock with a complete chicken feed that is appropriate to their purpose and fresh, clean water.
Your flock may begin to molt. Each year chickens replace their old and damaged feathers with new ones during a process called molt. It can be startling if you aren’t expecting it. Many chickens will also go completely off of lay during molt, meaning while they are replacing their feathers their bodies will prioritize feather replacement and they will temporarily stop producing eggs. Chickens will resume laying eggs once their molt is complete. Molt as a process will vary drastically from chicken to chicken within your flock. Factors like health, age, heritage, breed, environmental stress, and nutrition will all play a role. Molting can last anywhere from 1 to 4 months. To support your chickens during molt be sure they have access to a dust bath to aid in their grooming process. Provide healthy and nutritious treats in addition to their complete chicken feed. I provide my flock with oyster shell calcium supplement in a free choice dispenser separate from their food as well as high protein treats like fly larvae and grub worms. Calcium and protein are critical nutritional components to help your chickens replace their lost feathers. *It is very important not to interfere with the molting process. * Although it may look unsightly, it is a natural process and your chickens will naturally shed and trim their older feathers. Do not pull or cut damaged feathers. By intervening, you may prolong the molting process or unintentionally harm your chickens.
Protect your chickens from pests. As the days eventually become colder predators and pests like mice, rats, snakes, and others will be looking for warm places to hide during the winter and alternative food sources. Don’t let your flock or your chicken area become one of those food sources! Continue to collect eggs daily. Regularly examine your chicken area, run, and coop for signs of predators. This may look like nesting sites, unexplained holes, signs of digging, or other indicators. Be sure to feed your chickens treats in a livestock safe dish and remove any uneaten treats and dishes at night so you don’t unintentionally draw predators to your chicken area. Depending on your level of predator pressure, you may also consider storing feed dispensers in a weather proof tote overnight and then rehanging them in the morning for your chickens to utilize. As outside conditions worsen, natural predators will become more brazen driven by desperation. Take measures now before winter to fortify your chicken areas and deter predator activity. Now is also a great time trim back brushes, tall grasses, and any unkept landscaping close to your chicken area that may be an attractive hiding place for predators.
Now is the time to deep clean! Frozen chicken droppings become concrete. Muddy, soiled, unkept chicken areas perpetuate and cause chicken ailments and diseases. Do a fall season deep clean of your chicken area, coop, and run. Wash perches, roosts, food and water dispensers, and accessories. Freshen and replace nesting box material and your chosen ground cover for your chicken area. I use pine shavings as my ground cover but you can also use materials like coarse sand or smooth pea gravel. I don’t recommend straw as a ground cover because it retains a lot of moisture and can contribute to conditions that can cause frostbite in your chickens. I also do not recommend mulch as a ground cover in a chicken area because of the chemical dyes as well as sharp, jagged pieces in mulch that cause conditions like bumble foot and can damage your chicken’s feet. Proper cleaning and maintenance are essential to help your chickens prepare for the cooler temperatures head.
Add enrichment to your coop and run. Enrichment is any item that is going to prevent your flock from becoming bored and allows your chickens to express their natural behaviors like climbing, roosting, and exploring. During the cooler months my flock isn’t able to free range as often as they can in the spring and summer due to our extreme weather. The fall season is a great time to add toys, treat dispensers, or homemade perches and roosts to your chicken area. Enrichment doesn’t have to be expensive and many free or upcycled items make great roosts and enrichment items. Additional perches and roosts also give your flock places to escape the cold ground during the cooler months which helps prevent frostbite and other foot ailments. Sand down or remove any sharp or protruding edges from homemade perches and roosts. Boredom can result in poor health, poor productivity, and aggression in chickens. Enrichment isn’t just essential for their amusement; it is also an important part of keeping your flock healthy and productive.
I hope these fall season tips will be helpful to you! Check out Chuck’s other social media for more backyard chicken and homesteading content.
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Chuck and the Chicks 