7 Tips A Beginner’s Guide To Winter Gear (Clothing) For Chicken Care
If this is your first winter with chickens you may be wondering what type of clothing would be best to wear when caring for your flock. Homesteading and backyard chicken keeping doesn’t stop just because the thermometer takes a dive. Appropriate winter gear can make caring for your flock during the winter season less stressful and safer for you. I live in grow zone 6A in the Midwest in the U.S.A. My winter extremes can at times reach -20 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the chicken care gear I use. If you live in a milder climate, some of this gear may not be necessary for you. Winter clothing especially in the height of the winter season can be cost prohibitive. Many of these items can also be found at thrift and consignment stores. The brand of clothing is inconsequential. Practicality and safety are key.
Let’s talk about some clothes that aren’t appropriate for chicken care. Any clothes you intend to wear into public, ‘nice clothes’, anything with small detachable parts that could pose a choking hazard for your flock are not recommended. You can create your own style that works for you and your chicken care routine but prioritize practicality and safety.
Boost your flock’s biosecurity with dedicated chicken care clothes. Winter gear is essential for your comfort and safety while caring for chickens during the coldest season. Chickens are even more vulnerable to bacteria, pests, and other illnesses when they are living mostly in confinement due to extreme weather conditions. You can help keep your chickens stay safe in addition to practicing sound responsible chicken care by not wearing your chicken care clothes anywhere or any time other than when caring for your chickens. Walking in public places, parks, or other people’s chicken facilities or anywhere other chickens are kept can transfer unwanted germs and pests to your own flock. You can help prevent this by only wearing your dedicated chicken care clothes when caring for your own flock, and nowhere else. Your chicken care clothes will become soiled during use so you wouldn’t want to wear them in public anyway. This is especially true for your dedicated chicken care boots. Your chicken care footwear should be a calf to knee high boot, closed toe, weather proof, with good tread.
Muck boots. Your chicken care footwear should be a calf to knee high boot, closed toe, weather proof, with good tread to help prevent falls and slips.
A sturdy winter coat. I would recommend purchasing a slightly larger size than you wear normally as this coat will be worn over your existing layers of clothing. It should be sturdy weather proof material and have practical pockets. An alternative for a milder climate would be a dedicated hooded sweatshirt with pockets.
Coverall pants. These are insulated overalls that fit over your regular pants and shirt. They typically have either a zipper or buttons at the bottom of the leg so you can more easily pull your boots on and off.
Thick winter gloves. Preventing frostbite is just as essential for you as it is for your flock. Thick winter gloves which still allow enough movement to complete your chores are best. Some styles have textured grips and fingers.
Wool socks. If you can’t afford wool socks, the thickest socks you can acquire or layering multiple pairs of socks can also help keep your feet warm in your muck boots.
A winter hat. Even if your winter coat has an attached hood a hat can offer additional warmth and comfort. Choose a style that fits firmly and won’t fall off when you’re bending and working in your chicken area. I have two styles of hat, one which is better for fending off cold and wind during winter weather and the second style of hat is wool, which is weather-proof, which is helpful when you’re caring for your flock in heavy rain.
I hope this has been a helpful absolute beginner’s guide to winter gear for caring for backyard chickens. Check out Chuck’s other social media for backyard chicken and homesteading content.
Chuck and the Chicks 