Chores are a never-ending task on the homestead, but that’s not always a bad thing! I actually enjoy the different chores associated with each month of raising chickens on the homestead. Seasonal chores will vary depending on what region you live in and what your seasonal weather patterns are for your area. To learn more about regional chicken care, check out these regional chicken care considerations! However, for today we are going to discuss seasonal chicken chores for northern homesteaders.

I dare say that northern homesteaders have a few more chores to accomplish throughout the year, but it’s all part of keeping the homestead flock healthy and productive all year round. Each season presents its difficulties, but a few simple chores can help resolve or prevent those difficulties from becoming a problem each year for your homestead flock. This list of seasonal chicken chores for northern homesteaders are ones I do every year for my flock!  

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Seasonal Chicken Chores: Spring

For a lot of northern chicken keepers, spring is a brief period of time between really cold temperatures and warm summer weather. As for your flock, there are a few chores that must be accomplished to help them transition from winter to summer! 

~ Stop Supplemental Winter Light

If you supplied supplemental light during the short winter days, you will want to slowly wean your laying hens off of the extra light come spring. As the days get longer you can decrease the amount of time the extra light turns on until they eventually don’t need it anymore. Spring is naturally a time of reproduction, so your hens will be kicking into full production mode soon, if they haven’t done so already!

Make sure they have plenty of supplemental calcium and enough nesting boxes to keep everyone happy. Making sure your flock stays healthy over the winter months will help them be ready to start laying well in the spring. 

~ Clean Out the Enclosure 

If your flock was cooped up all winter due to inclement weather, it can really take a toll on the enclosure! Cleaning up the enclosure in the springtime can help prevent spring diseases and parasites from becoming an issue.

If you used straw in the enclosure over the winter months, you can rake it all out and use it as compost or allow it to continue to decompose in the enclosure. Check out my method for using the deep litter method in my flock’s enclosure and how I deal with the straw come springtime!

Either way, you will definitely want to rake up any droppings that have over accumulated in the enclosure as well as any wet straw or enclosure litter. If the floor is packed solid, you may consider getting some loose construction sand and refilling the enclosure with fresh sand. This will help with soil drainage for when the spring melt starts and rain comes.

Cleaning the enclosure and replacing the litter will also help break up any parasite or disease cycles that have formed over the winter. If you have multiple enclosures, now would be a good time to rotate your flock to a fresh enclosure while you can clean out the used one and let it rest. 

~ Remove Water Heating Systems 

More than likely you rigged up a method of keeping your flock’s water from freezing during the winter. Once the spring nights start to warm up, you can remove the heated water system. If you need to, clean up any spilled water or damp litter that accumulated over the winter. 

Also give the water heater or heating system a good cleaning and scrubbing before storing it away until next fall. I know my galvanized heated water bases always need to be scrubbed to get rid of any dirt and chicken dander that accumulated on them over the winter.

~ Take Down Wind/Snow Block 

Once the warm spring weather comes you can take down the wind and snow blocks that protected the enclosure during the winter. When winterizing the chicken coop, I surround the enclosures with opaque construction plastic as a wind and snow shield. I always save the plastic and boards I use to shelter the enclosure with so I can use them year after year.

If your area tends to have lots of blowing rain during the spring, you may consider keeping the protection up to prevent the enclosure from getting too muddy. However, letting the spring sunshine enter the enclosure will help dry out the enclosure too and the chickens will enjoy basking in the sun. 

~ Get Ready for Chicks

Spring is a popular time to get baby chicks or let mother hens hatch their own babies. Preparing for baby chicks on the homestead means getting a brooder set up and having a plan for when the chicks grow up and are ready to join the flock. For mother hens, you will want to have a separate broody pen set up for them to raise their chicks. Some flocks do well having mixed ages, however it’s always safer to keep the young birds separate from the older ones until they are properly integrated.

Springtime on the homestead means I get out my incubator, the brooder, set up the grow-out pen, and have a cage ready for any broody hens!

~ Spring Predator Prevention

Springtime brings predators out from their winter hibernation, and they are usually looking for an easy springtime snack! Make sure you double check your coop and enclosure to ensure they are sufficiently predator proof. Especially make sure there are no holes or gaps in the coop. Check to see if all areas of your enclosure have sturdy wire and that there are no rusty spots.

Check the bottom edges of the coop and enclosure for spots where predators can dig and sneak up into the coop or enclosure. Make sure there are no holes or gaps near the roofing of the coop and enclosure and that no trees lend easy access to openings in your flock’s housing.

Hawks will also be out, looking for food to feed their young with. A covered enclosure is essential and supervising free-range time will be more important. 

Predator Awareness is important for the safety of your flock!

~ Remove Winter Litter from the Coop 

Some northern homesteaders find it beneficial to change the litter in the coop during the winter. The deep litter method is a popular winter litter that will need to be cleaned out come spring. Since the deep litter method creates heat, it would not be suitable for warmer spring and summer weather.

No matter what litter you use in the coop, it is always a good idea to replace the litter come springtime so that you can break up any parasite lifecycles that may have formed over the winter. Sand is the only litter you may not need to replace as long as you cleaned and maintained it throughout the winter.

~ Prevent Muddy Enclosures 

Melting snow and increased rainfall can often lead to muddy enclosures in the spring. Muddy enclosures allow bacteria, protozoa, and parasites to grow and mature, which can cause health issues in your flock. Having a well-draining, loose litter in the enclosure is essential for preventing standing water from accumulating in the enclosure.

Also make sure the enclosure’s litter level is above the water table in your area. Sometimes that means building up certain areas of the enclosure with additional litter during dry seasons to prevent dips and lows from filling with water during wet seasons. I find that my customized deep litter method helps replenish the enclosure litter levels every spring to prevent standing water from forming.

Here are some other ideas that I do to try and keep my flock’s enclosure as dry as possible during the spring:

• clean up droppings weekly if you are not using a composting litter method in the enclosure
• fill in any holes or dips that the chickens make with extra enclosure litter
• raise up low spots with construction sand (don’t go skimpy on the sand since it will settle over time)
• rake the enclosure litter regularly to keep it loose which will promote good drainage and composting
• every few years, add a thick layer of construction sand to the enclosure to raise the level up if needed
• cover the enclosure and set up rain spouts

~ Move Feeders/Water Outside

During the winter it is helpful to keep at least one water fount inside to keep the water heated. However, come spring time you can easily move the water founts and feeders outside. Keeping food and water outside during the spring, summer, and fall helps keep the coop cleaner and doesn’t provide enticement for varmints to enter the coop.

I recommend hanging both the feeder and the waterer in a covered chicken coop enclosure. Hang the feeder(s) in the enclosure during the day, but bring them into a secured location at night so that other critters don’t partake in the free feed. Waterers can usually be left outside at all times without attracting unwanted visitors.

Seasonal Chicken Chores: Summer

Summer is a tricky season for northern chicken keepers. The warmer weather is nice for getting chores done, however, the cold hardy breeds that are great for winter struggle a little more in the warmer temperatures. Take these summer chores into consideration. 

~ Clean the Coop

Spring cleaning doesn’t always work out for northern homesteaders, so I usually do summer cleaning instead. Every summer, my coops get a thorough cleaning since the weather is perfect for working outside and I have plenty of time to dedicate a whole day to cleaning.

A summer coop cleaning includes washing all feeders, water founts, feed bins, and supplement dispensers, vacuuming out all the cobwebs, scrubbing roosts and doors, and organizing the supply shelf. Cleaning the coop during the summer is great since it gets all clean for the coming fall and winter. 

Learn how I do my summer cleaning in this post about Chicken Coop Cleaning Essentials!

~ More Water

You will notice that your flock will go through more water during the warm summer months, so you may need to provide extra water founts. The more water founts you have available and having them placed in different locations will encourage your chickens to drink more water. Hydration is important during the summer for preventing heat stress and other heat related ailments. 

~ Summer Diet

Changing your flock’s diet during the summer will help them stay cool and still get the nutrients they need to stay healthy and productive. For a more comprehensive guide to switching your flock to a summer diet check out A Summer Diet for Chickens. 

~ Integration

Summer is a great time to integrate any chicks you acquired during the spring. You don’t have to worry about keeping separate waters unfrozen, nobody is going through a stressful molt, and the spring chicks should be big enough to blend into the flock. Free-ranging is easier during the summer too, which also helps with a smooth integration. 

Check out my tips on how to introduce new chickens into an existing flock!

Seasonal Chicken Chores: Fall

Fall for northern homesteaders is a busy time as you prepare for the coming winter. Molting has started and egg laying has dropped. There are many chores that need to be done around the coop to get it winter ready! 

~ Supply Molting Supplements

The fall molt requires lots of energy and a change in diet will help your flock complete a successful molt. Start incorporating some fall molting supplements into your flock’s diet when you see your hens starting to drop their feathers. Molting supplements are high in protein to help with feather regrowth and still keep your hens healthy for the coming cold winter months.

~ Install the Water Heating System

The cold nights are coming and it’s time to break out the water heater systems! There are many different systems available for northern homesteaders to use to keep the water from freezing during the winter. A lot of heated water systems require electricity, so you will need to figure out a safe way to install electricity to your coop if you choose to use an electric heated system. Don’t use extension cords!

My coops both have electricity running to them, so I like to use galvanized heated water bases to keep my flocks’ water from freezing. I usually have to bring the water founts into the chicken coops during the winter since that is where I can plug in the heated water bases.

For a list of 20 different ways to keep water unfrozen (including non-electricity methods), check out this list!  

~ Put up the Enclosure Shield

It is super helpful to have the wind and snow shield put up in the fall before any blowing winds, cold temperatures, and precipitation come. I staple up opaque construction plastic on the north, east, and south sides of my flocks’ enclosures, the actual coops protect the west side.

Opaque construction plastic works great since it allows sunlight to come in and warm up the enclosure. To keep the plastic from blowing off, I staple it to the enclosure frame and then screw boards along the sides and through the center to keep it fastened to the enclosure frame.

~ Get Straw 

I highly recommend stocking up on straw in the fall. Straw bales are usually pretty cheap during the fall and I like to get enough to last my flock through the winter. I put flakes of it in their enclosure to keep them occupied and to provide insulation. If you use the deep litter method, you will definitely want to get some straw to start building up the coop litter in preparation for winter. 

Make sure you get good quality, dry straw and keep the straw bales stored in a spot where they won’t get wet or frozen. I usually get about 1 straw bale per month of winter, starting in November. Depending on how big your flock’s enclosure is and if you are using the straw in the coop too will determine how much straw you need to stock-up on.

~ Fall Predator Prevention  

Be on the look out for fall predators who want to stock up on fat before the winter. Free-ranging during the fall is more risky because of the decrease in leaf cover and the increased activity of flying predators and canine predators. Check your coop and enclosure to make sure there are no holes or cracks that weasels, raccoons, or opossums can sneak through. Remember, raccoons and opossums can also climb enclosure supports and nearby trees to access windows and cracks in your enclosure roofing. 

Predator Proof your Coop and Enclosure to keep fall predators out and to keep your homestead flock safe!

~ Change to Winter Litter 

If you use a different litter in the coop during the winter, now is the time to switch. You can start your deep litter method now so that it will be up to the proper thickness to start the composting process by winter. It’s also easier to clean out old litter in the fall before the super cold temperatures and snow comes. 

~ Cover Windows 

In preparation for the winter, you will want to make sure your coop stays insulated and is draft free. One way to do this is to cover a portion of the coop’s windows with a clear plexi-glass or plastic. This will still allow light to enter but will keep cold winds from blowing into the coop. When covering the windows, make sure you still allow space for airflow between the inside of the coop and outdoors. Airflow is essential to good ventilation. I usually cover the bottom portion of my coops’ windows and leave space at the top of the window for air-exchange.

My Winter Chicken Keeping ebook goes more in-depth about keeping good ventilation while preventing drafts!

~ Plan on More Feed

During the winter your chickens will eat more feed. Plan on getting feed more frequently or just be aware that your flock is going to consume more food during cold weather. Lack of free-ranging, boredom, and increased energy usage to stay warm all contribute to the increase in feed consumption. Supplements and treats help, but they should not replace the essential nutrients that a properly formulated chicken feed should provide. Fermenting chicken feed will help the feed last longer and is beneficial for your flock!

Seasonal Chicken Chores: Winter

Finally, we have gotten to the season that makes a normal chicken keeper a northern chicken keeper! Winter… A lot of chicken breeds can handle cold weather just fine, however, some northern winters can get pretty brutal! These chores will help you prepare your flock for a northern winter.

~ Put out Straw

Straw is a key litter for northern chicken keepers. Its hollow shafts help trap heat, its composting process creates heat, and its fun flakes provide endless entertainment for your chickens! Occasionally putting flakes of straw (or whole bales) out in your flock’s enclosure this winter will help keep them warm and entertained. I provide my flock with straw entertainment at least once a week at the beginning of the winter, sometimes more during really cold weeks.

Once a good layer of straw has built up in the enclosure, I rake the straw into big piles on a weekly basis to give the flock more entertainment. A big pile of straw is like a challenge to your chickens! Who can conquer and flatten the pile first!?

~ Start Supplemental Light 

Once your laying hens have finished their fall molt, you can start providing supplemental light if you choose. Increasing the hours of light your hens are exposed to will keep them laying throughout the winter. Remember to increase the light slowly because sudden changes in lighting can stress the hens out and cause them to stop laying! I use LED rope lights in my flock’s coop. I set the lights on a timer to turn on and off during the morning hours.

Learn more about whether you should provide supplemental light in the coop or not in this article here!

~ Nightly Frostbite Prevention 

It’s time to start watching the weather! Look for those cold nights and mark them on your calendar so you can put frostbite prevention on any of your flock members that have tall combs and large wattles. I usually start applying frostbite prevention when the nightly temperatures get below 20° F. Also keep an eye on the daily windchill factor. Windchill can also cause frostbite during the day.

It is easiest to apply a frostbite prevention salve after the chickens have roosted, plus it keeps them from eating the salve off of each other’s combs and wattles. I have also found it helpful if the salve is warm before I apply it to the comb, it smooths on better when it is soft. Make sure you use a beeswax-based salve since that will be the most effective against preventing moisture build-up on the skin.

~ Start Using Boredom Busters 

Cabin fever may set in once the ground is snowy and everyone has to stay cooped up. Boredom busters will provide entertainment to keep your flock from picking on each other. Many boredom busters include yummy treats and are consumable. Make sure you offer those boredom busters in moderation so that they don’t cause any health issues in your flock. I use these Healthy Boredom Busters during the winter to keep my flock entertained and healthy!

~ Managing Frozen Droppings 

Frozen droppings become an issue if you have droppings boards or other methods for catching the droppings under the roosts every night. Frozen droppings are a real problem in the north! Those cold nights freeze up the droppings and make them nearly impossible to remove from droppings boards! I usually just wait until a warm day comes and un-thaws the mountains of poop on the droppings boards.

However, you may decide to use a different method of manure management during the winter. One option that I have considered is making droppings boards that have sand in them. That way all I would have to do is sift the frozen droppings out of the sand, but they would still stay all contained right below the roosts.

~ Preventing Mice Problems 

Rodent issues can be a problem all year long, however they may increase during the winter. Mice think coops are a great sheltered place to spend the winter and they often leave their tell-tale signs of little black doodles. You will need to step up your rodent prevention during the winter. Check out my post on How to Get Rid of Mice in the Chicken Coop for some rodent management tips!

~ Reset Automatic Doors

This is a chore that will need to be done if you have automatic chicken coop doors that you program to open up at a certain time and close at a certain time. As the daylight changes, you will want to reset the automatic door to open and close according to when the sun sets and rises. Resetting the door will have to happen in the spring too as the daylight changes again.

Alternatively, you can also program most automatic chicken coop doors to be set-up on solar sensors. A solar sensor will trigger the door to open at sunrise and close at sunset. This will eliminate the need to constantly change when the programed door opens and closes according to daylight hours.

Northern climates can present their difficulties to homesteaders, but there are ways we can still make northern chicken keeping feasible and even simple! Spring, fall, summer, and winter are all different in a northern climate and there are various chores that need to be done for your flock to help them through each season. When each of these seasons starts will vary depending on the region where you live, so just customize these chore lists to fit your area’s seasonal calendar. Hopefully this list of seasonal chicken chores for norther homesteaders will help you keep your homestead flock happy and healthy all year-round!

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by Alexa