8 Tips If You See These Signs Of Cold Stress, Act Fast!
Cold stress is the winter equivalent of heat stress in chickens. In the height of summer during heat waves your backyard chickens may struggle to cool themselves to manage temperature extremes. In the wintertime, extreme cold temperatures combined with factors like poor health, inadequate nutrition, or improper housing conditions can pose a threat to the health and well-being of your flock. While some minor seasonal discomfort and adjustment is normal, especially in the beginning of the winter season, lingering signs of cold stress within your flock can be a sign of serious issues. Here are some signs of serious cold stress in your flock to be aware of.
Penguin posture and extended huddling without movement. Penguin posture is not only a sign of cold stress but also a potential sign of more serious conditions like egg binding or other conditions. Your chicken will be standing awkwardly and walking upright like a penguin without correcting their posture. While some seasonal huddling for shared warmth is normal, the activity level is key to whether or not this is a concerning sign of cold stress. If your flock is huddled in the same spot for an entire day without movement, this is something worth investigating further.
Persistent shivering lasting more than 30 seconds at a time. A short, isolated shivering spell can be an indicator of normal seasonal discomfort but if the shivering lasts longer than 30 seconds or is constant, does not stop, this can be a sign of advanced cold stress.
Constant fluffing or feather adjustment lasting more than 30 seconds at a time. Chickens will fluff, groom, and readjust their feathers to stay warm in extreme winter conditions. This adjustment should only take a moment and be aligned with normal grooming behavior. If the fluffing lasts more than 30 seconds straight, is constant, and the chicken seems agitated or stressed this may be a sign of cold stress.
Lack of movement and extreme lethargy. Chickens are by nature curious and active. On a given day even in cold temperatures you should see signs of movement like changing positions within their chicken area, pecking and scratching to explore, eating and drinking, and moving to different roosts and perches. If your flock seems rooted in one place or suddenly you can pick up members of your flock that were unable to handle, this is concerning.
Gaping beak. Gaping beak looks like a chicken holding their beak in an open mouth gesture that resembles the inequality math symbol (<). This is a potential sign of pain, distress, or fear.
Extended distress calls. Chickens communicate with a series of sounds within the flock to indicate their status in the pecking order, point out food sources, and socialize within their flock. Content coop chatter sounds like peaceful cooing and bawking sounds and there are natural lulls in the communication within the flock. Extended distress calls are sharp, ceaseless, abnormal shrill sounds that indicate something is wrong.
Signs of frostbite. Frostbite occurs within flocks exposed to excess amounts of moisture combined with freezing temperatures. Signs of frostbite can be seen on the most vulnerable parts of your chicken which are their feet, combs, and waddles. Chicken breeds which large, voluminous combs and waddles are more prone to frostbite than others. Frostbite can vary in severity from a slight redness, to a pale discoloration, to blackened damaged skin. Frostbite is preventable in even the most extreme winter conditions. If you’re seeing signs of persistent and pervasive frostbite throughout your flock, it’s a good idea to reexamine your maintenance practices and invest in winterizing your chicken facilities.
Disinterest in food or drinking water. This is one of the more serious signs of cold stress and indicates conditions may have become life threatening for your flock. If a member of your flock shows complete disinterest in food or water lasting a whole day this may require an isolation plan to isolate the cause of the issue.
Use your best judgement. If you’re able to contact a livestock veterinary professional if you see or have concerns about your flock, that is great. If one is unavailable, use your best judgement whenever determining whether or not you think an isolation plan is necessary. You see your flock daily and you know them best. You are the first person who will be able to spot concerning or abnormal behaviors that require your attention.
If you do decide that an isolation plan is necessary for any members of your flock remember to transition them slowly inside and outside to avoid temperature shock. You can use an area like a covered porch or a garage to help to transition them. You can create an isolation plan for your chicken using items like a dog crate lined with puppy pads. Remember your chicken will need food, water, and grit while in isolation. When isolated your chicken will lose their standing within the pecking order so make plans to reintroduce them back to flock. You can use the same housing you used for their isolation plan when reintroducing them back to the flock.
How do you prevent cold stress?
Reduce moisture in your chicken area by using a ground cover litter like pine flake shavings or coarse sand. Muddy unsanitary conditions contribute to frostbite conditions and other winter issues for your backyard flock.
Winterize your chicken facilities with things like side walls, a leak proof roof, plug draft holes with things like recycled feed bags or cardboard. Remember to leave a space at the top above the highest level where your chickens roost for ventilation which allows moist soiled air to escape and for fresh air to circulate through your chicken area. Keep your ventilation high and your chickens dry.
Provide plenty of roosts and perches to let your flock escape the cold ground. You can use things like a 2×4 with the flat 4 inch side down, sturdy natural branches at least 3 inches in diameter, straw bales, or even items like a thrifted chair or shelf. Don’t use metal or plastic material for your perches as these materials get too cold in winter conditions and are too smooth for your flock to grip properly. Perches and roosts should be made of wood. Don’t use items like broom sticks or dowl rods because these are too small for standard size chickens and put too much strain on their feet which can cause things like lameness, muscle strain, or bumble foot. Be sure to remove any sharp edges or protrusions from any item you’ll be providing your flock to perch or roost on to avoid conditions like bumble foot. Elderly flock members and bantams also may benefit from a poultry ramp.
Provide adequate food, water, oyster shell, and grit. Your chickens will eat more in the winter just to stay warm in severe winter conditions. A heated livestock bowl is an easy and convenient way to ensure they have access to water even in extreme winter temperatures. Grit which is normally available on the ground is inaccessible under ice and snow so be sure to provide grit to your flock to prevent conditions like impacted crop and sour crop. Grit also aids in proper food digestion and nutrient absorption. Oyster shell provides much needed calcium to your flock for strong eggshells and it also helps feather regrowth.
Signs your flock are thriving in winter conditions are things like: normal activity and playfulness, eating and drinking normally, bright eyes, glossy full feather coverage, and content coop chatter.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post about spotting concerning signs of cold stress in your flock and what you can do to help your flock stay warm and safe this winter season. If you’re looking for more backyard chicken winter care tips and homesteading content be sure to check out Chuck’s other social media linked below.
Chuck and the Chicks 