Boosting Energy and Supporting Digestion in Cold Weather

As winter approaches, poultry keepers must adjust their feeding practices to ensure their birds stay healthy, maintain good energy levels and continue producing eggs or growing through the colder months. Just like any livestock, chickens, ducks, quail and other poultry face increased challenges when temperatures drop.

They expend more energy to keep warm and their digestive systems can be affected by the cold. Understanding how to properly feed poultry during winter is key to keeping your flock in optimal condition.

Let’s explore the essential aspects of feeding poultry in winter, focusing on boosting their energy levels, supporting digestion and making sure they have the nutrition they need to thrive even when the mercury dips.

The Impact of Cold Weather

Winter presents several challenges for poultry. Birds must use more energy to stay warm, which can increase their caloric needs. In addition, the lack of fresh forage (like grass and insects) means poultry must rely more heavily on stored feed, which may lack some of the variety and nutrients that birds naturally access in warmer months.

Digestive health can also be impacted during winter, especially in cases where birds are confined to coops for long periods due to snow or cold. Reduced activity and changes in diet can lead to digestive sluggishness, so providing feeds that support good gut health is critical.

Key Nutrients for Winter

Increase Caloric Intake

In cold weather, poultry burns more calories just to stay warm. To compensate for this increased energy expenditure, it’s important to increase the caloric content of their diet. This can be achieved by increasing the amount of feed offered or providing higher-energy foods.

• Corn is a great source of carbohydrates that help poultry generate body heat. Feeding a cracked corn mix or adding more corn to their regular diet is a simple way to boost energy intake.
• Incorporating fats like suet, lard or sunflower seeds provides an additional energy source. Fats are particularly important because they are dense in calories, helping birds stay warm without needing to eat large quantities.

Offer Whole Grains

Whole grains, such as wheat, barley or oats, are an excellent source of slow-burning energy. Feeding poultry whole grains gives them something to digest slowly overnight, keeping their metabolism active and generating warmth. Whole grains also offer some variety, which can be especially beneficial during months when birds can’t forage naturally.

Tip: Offering whole grains as an evening snack helps keep birds warm throughout the night as they digest. This is a common strategy to help poultry weather cold nights more comfortably.

Proteins to Maintain Body Condition

While carbohydrates and fats are key to boosting energy, proteins help maintain muscle mass and overall body condition. Layer feeds typically contain around 16%-18% protein, which is sufficient for most backyard flocks during the winter, but in very cold climates, a slight boost in protein may be necessary.

Mealworms, fish meal or cooked eggs are excellent sources of supplemental protein. Offering these occasionally, especially when birds look like they’re losing conditioning, can provide the extra protein they need.

Keeping the Gut Healthy

Maintaining good digestive health is vital for poultry to make the most of their feed during winter. Several factors come into play, including water intake, the inclusion of grit and the use of supplements that promote healthy gut bacteria.

Water Intake

Water is just as important in winter as it is in summer, though it can be more challenging to provide due to freezing temperatures. Dehydration can lead to digestive issues and affect feed intake. Birds need access to fresh, unfrozen water throughout the day.

• Investing in a heated waterer or using a do-it-yourself solution (like putting a bottle of hot water in the bowl) ensures birds have constant access to water. Make sure the water is not too warm. Lukewarm or room-temperature water is ideal.
• Check waterers regularly for water level or ice buildup.

Offer Grit for Digestion

Grit, small stones or commercial grit, is essential for poultry to properly digest their feed, particularly whole grains and high-fiber foods. Since birds grind their food in their gizzards, providing access to grit helps keep their digestive system functioning properly.

• Birds that forage may not need supplemental grit, but in winter when the ground is frozen or covered in snow, it becomes an essential part of their diet.
• Make sure grit is available free choice (having it available at all times) so birds can consume it as needed.

Add Digestive Supplements

Probiotics and other digestive supplements can help keep poultry’s gut flora balanced and healthy. This is particularly useful in winter when birds are more prone to stress due to cold and confinement, which can impact their digestive health.

Adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar to waterers (around 1 tablespoon per gallon) is believed to aid digestion and support a healthy gut. This practice is often used by poultry keepers to keep birds healthy, particularly during stressful periods.

In addition to grit, which helps birds properly digest fiber foods that are common in winter diets, like grain and scratch, other digestive supplements are:

• Oregano Oil: Known for its natural antibacterial properties, oregano oil can support digestion and help reduce harmful bacteria, especially beneficial in the winter when birds may be more confined.
• Garlic: Adding garlic powder to feed or fresh garlic to water can boost immune support and help maintain good gut bacteria.
• Electrolytes: In the colder months, birds can sometimes drink less water. Electrolytes can keep them hydrated and support nutrient absorption.

Feeding Strategies for Cold Weather

Feed Early and Late

To ensure your birds have plenty of energy throughout the day and night, try feeding them first thing in the morning and offering another feeding in the late afternoon or evening. The morning feed provides energy for the day, while the evening feed helps them stay warm overnight.

Free-Choice Feeding

Allowing your birds to eat free choice can help ensure they’re getting enough calories during the winter. Birds will naturally eat more when it’s cold, so make sure their feeders are always stocked, and consider switching to a higher-energy or winter-specific feed if necessary.

Avoid Moldy or Spoiled Feed

While it’s tempting to offer stored grains or feed during winter, it’s critical to ensure it hasn’t spoiled. Moldy feed can cause serious health issues in poultry, including respiratory problems and digestive upset. Always check feed for freshness, especially if it has been stored for long periods.

Feeding poultry in winter requires some adjustments to ensure your flock stays warm, healthy and productive. By boosting energy through increased calories, providing whole grains for slow-burning heat and supporting digestion with probiotics and grit, you can help your birds thrive during the cold months.

With proper care and a well-balanced diet, your poultry can not only survive but also continue to thrive, laying eggs and growing strong, even when the weather outside is frightful.