Wondering what to feed chickens in winter? After 10 years of raising chickens in Iowa where winter temperatures regularly plunge below -20°F, I’ve learned a thing or two about keeping my flock happy and productive during the cold months.

Today, I’m sharing my tried-and-true winter feeding strategies that help keep your chickens warm and maintain egg production even in the darkest days of winter.

Understanding Winter Nutrition for Chickens

When temperatures drop, chickens burn extra calories just to stay warm. As someone who’s managed a productive flock through countless brutal winters, I’ve found that strategic feeding makes all the difference in maintaining egg production and keeping your birds healthy.

 

Warm Breakfast Options Your Chickens Will Love

1. Quick-Prep Oatmeal

Nothing gets my chickens more excited than their morning oatmeal. I simply pour hot water over rolled oats while I’m putting on my winter gear. No need for fancy cooking – this simple warm treat gives them the carbohydrates they need to start their day.

2. Garden-Fresh Winter Squash

Remember those decorative pumpkins from fall? Turn them into a nutritious chicken feast. I bake squash or pumpkins at 350°F for an hour, let them cool slightly, and watch my flock devour every last bit. The seeds are packed with nutrients they need during winter.

 

3. Protein-Rich Scrambled Eggs

Here’s the rub – during the winter those deadbeat chickens take a break from laying eggs so they’re harder to come by, but your chickens would really appreciate a warm snack of cooked eggs if you’re so inclined. I include crushed eggshells for added calcium, but skip the seasonings. This protein-rich treat helps maintain their energy levels during cold snaps.

It’s also a great way to use any frozen eggs, if you didn’t get to them in time during the cold weather.

Related reading – How to Keep Eggs From Freezing in the Winter

4. Budget-Friendly Lentils

Lentils have become my go-to winter protein source. They’re inexpensive and cook quickly in about 20 minutes. Just remember – never feed raw beans or lentils to chickens.

Related reading – What Not to Feed Chickens

5. Potato Peel Porridge

Don’t throw away those potato peels! I save them throughout the week and make a warm morning treat by boiling them until soft. The carbohydrates provide excellent energy, and the cooking water contains valuable nutrients. Just ensure the peels are free from green spots or sprouts.

6. Nourishing Suet Cakes

During particularly cold spells, I offer homemade suet cakes. Mix rendered fat or saved bacon grease with seeds, dried fruit, and cornmeal to create high-energy treats that help maintain body temperature. I hang these in the coop where they can peck at them throughout the day.

You can also buy suet cakes if you don’t want to make them. Cake specifically made for wild birds are fine for chickens to eat.

7. Sprouted Grains for Fresh Nutrients

It’s easy to sprout wheat or barley in mason jars indoors, providing living nutrients when fresh vegetation is scarce. The sprouts are especially rich in vitamins and enzymes. The grow fast and your chickens will appreciate the greens in the dead of the winter.

We typically use hard red wheat berries or whatever types of berries we have on hand.

Evening Feeding Strategies

8. Strategic Scratch Timing

In addition to the warm breakfasts, it’s also a good idea to give your chickens a handful of cracked corn at bedtime. One of my most effective winter strategies is offering scratch grains right before bedtime. Digesting that corn through the night will help their little bodies stay warmer.

   

9. Protein Boost with Mealworms

I keep dried mealworms on hand all winter long. I will pick up a large bag of dehydrated meal worms and I have even stopped at the pet store for a few fresh meal worms for them. 

10. Warm Water Management

Access to unfrozen water is crucial. I use heated water bowls and top up with warm water throughout the day. This simple step encourages drinking and helps maintain body temperature. Using an electric livestock bucket is a great way to keep water from freezing in the winter, or you can simply add hot water a few times during the day for them.  

What warm snacks have you found that your chickens devour?

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