Winterize Your Backyard Friends
By: Nature + Nurture
Luna
Winter is coming, and every farmer, homesteader, or chicken tender knows the real battle will be keeping their animals safe and warm through the cold months.
There are nights when I crawl into my warm bed, surrounded by the comfort of heat and cozy pajamas, and feel a pang of guilt knowing my animals are hunkered down in the cold. The next morning, I get up early to run warm water, add extra straw, and offer more food to generate heat. It’s a constant balancing act, and it’s hard to know when and how much to intervene. After years of research, googling, and asking fellow animal caretakers, here’s what I’ve learned:
First, research the breed of animal that fits your climate. I live in Nashville, Tennessee, where we endure both scorching summers and freezing winters. When choosing livestock, I look for breeds that can handle extremes. For example, Rhode Island Reds are a hardy chicken breed that thrives in both the summer heat and winter cold. Not every breed is built for this range of temperatures, so it’s important to choose wisely.
Next, shelter is key. Animals need somewhere to escape the harsh weather. My chickens and rabbits have coops with draft-proof doors and windows, while my goats and livestock guardian dog have two enclosures. One is sealed for winter, and the other has a breezeway for summer shade. Larger livestock may need a full barn, but my setups work well for my animals. Every farm is different, and what works for me may not work for you, but I’m sharing my experience as a starting point.
Lastly, preparation is everything. Whether it’s the right breed, shelter, or materials, taking the time to prepare makes a huge difference. I have a large chicken coop with heaters for the coldest nights. With the heaters on, I rest easier knowing the ladies will stay warm, their water won’t freeze, and they show no signs of stress. For my rabbits, however, it’s too risky to use heaters and straw is a safer bet. The deep litter method has also worked well for my goats. They love to bury themselves in straw, and seeing their sleepy faces wiggle out in the morning is one of my favorite sights.
Sometimes water freezes faster than we can fill it, but water bowl heaters make all the difference. I keep two plugged in at all times, ensuring my goats always have drinkable water. They also make heated waterers for chickens, and you can easily find these at any farm store. If electricity isn’t an option for you, the larger the water container the faster it takes to freeze. For goats I have a 50 gallon foam insulated stop tank that I add either a ball or something to the surface to make it harder for ice to form. We have also hear beet juice added to water can make it harder to freeze. We will be trying that this year and report our findings!!
Enrichment can be an importance to those livestock being locked inside coops or barns to help maintain warmth. I will get a bale of Timothy hay for my chickens and hide meal worms amongst the bale. This will keep them entertained and allow them to exercise their foraging instinct until warmer weather.
Farm life can make you question your life choices when you’re facing extreme weather to care for your animals, but it also creates a sense of camaraderie. We’re bound by our responsibility to our animals, but also by the exchange we share with them. Whether through food, companionship, or protection, this relationship becomes something special. With preparation and care, what might feel like a chore can transform into an annual ritual. It is a time to embrace the changing seasons with your animals by your side.
Merle, Bambi, Honeybun, Honeybee, Buck & Conway