What to Expect from My Flock in the Fall?

What to Expect from My Flock in the Fall?
As the seasons change, so does your chickens’ behavior. When the extreme heat of summer has passed, you might find your chickens a little busier and much more active. But they have a few other changes in behavior, too! Here’s what to watch for and how you can help your chickens enjoy the change of seasons.Earlier Bed Times
Chickens typically put themselves to bed shortly before dusk. It’s always fun to watch as the sun starts to go down, the chickens slowly make their way towards the coop. Your rooster will bid them each goodnight, and they’ll go inside and settle in for the evening.
But as fall approaches, you might notice this bedtime getting a little bit earlier each day. In the winter, they’ll be safely inside their coop by 5:00 in the afternoon!
They aren’t going to bed early because they’re sick or sad; it’s just the normal change that happens when there is less daylight. Since predators are very active at dusk and dawn- especially in colder weather—they may even hit the hay, so to speak, before the sun goes down. As long as they are all safely inside, locking them up early is fine since this will help protect them from foxes and owls.
Feather Loss and Molting
It’s quite a disturbing sight - when you see a large pile of feathers scattered in your yard or a chicken who is starting to look entirely naked! But it’s actually a very normal experience when summer turns to fall.
Most chickens undergo a molt in the fall, and some also experience one in the spring. A molt is when old feathers fall out, and beautiful new feathers grow in. The feathers help insulate the chickens better for the winter and protect them against bugs.
Every chicken experiences a molt differently. Some will drop a lot of feathers all at once, making it look like a fowl crime scene! They’ll look scraggly, skinny, and sad. If you see this happening remember to limit handling as the skin can become sensitive. It's also a good idea to supplement Avaplex a few days to reduce stress and alleviate the concern of other health related challenges. Other chickens ride out the molt much better, and you might not even notice it’s happening. Some chicken breeds will handle molts better than others, and you may notice big differences within your flock.
Your chickens might look awful while they’re in the middle of their molt, but when it’s all said and done, they’ll look absolutely beautiful again. You can support them through this time with the addition of Nutriplex-W™ to their water. The regrowth of feathers requires a ton of nutrients, and the addition of daily Nutriplex-W will ensure your hens are able to fully digest, absorb, and utilize nutrients for regrowing beautiful feathers, while maintaining normal body function, and eliminate the concern of malnourishment.
Fewer Eggs
The arrival of fall also means the potential for fewer eggs. Mother Nature is absolutely amazing. As the days get colder, they also get shorter. When the amount of daylight drops below 8 hours each day, your hens will slow down on their egg production.
First of all, if your hens are molting, they may be conserving energy to replenish their feathers rather than putting that energy into making new eggs.
Second of all, the drop in egg production protects potential chicks from being born in the middle of winter, a time when it is much harder for tiny babies to survive and thrive. Instead, the chickens will ride out the winter and begin laying again in the spring when the days get longer again.
You can enhance fall egg production by putting a light in your coop to simulate a few extra hours of daylight and continuing to give them Nutriplex-W in their drinking water to boost nutrient uptake.
The Need for More Feed
As the weather gets colder, less food is available for your chickens to eat ‘in the wild.’ Free-ranging hens will have a harder time finding fresh vegetation and delectable insects once frost season begins.
Your chickens’ calorie needs will increase as the weather gets colder. Their bodies will burn more calories to stay warm, and they won’t be able to find as much food in the yard as they did during the warm summer months.
Depending on your climate, you may need to supplement your hens with commercial chicken feed, table scraps, or scratch grains if you aren’t already. A little extra protein, like scrambled eggs or slightly warm oatmeal, makes a delicious and nutritious treat for your hens when the weather starts to cool.
You’ll also want to keep an eye on their water supply, too, because cold nights can mean frozen chicken waterers. Consider installing heated water bowls or changing the water frequently. You can supplement with Nutriplex-W™ to stimulate water intake and help your chickens stay hydrated no matter the weather.
Changes in Posture
You might notice your chickens standing on one foot or looking a little scrunched up. They often do this in damp, cool mornings on fall days. This posture might look strange, but as long as they get back to their normal activities as the day warms up, there’s nothing to worry about.Staying Inside
Chickens don’t usually mind warm summer rains, but cold, damp autumn days may have them hiding in the coop. Don’t be alarmed if they stay inside until the sun is up and the air is warming. They will be even more likely to stay inside if you keep their food and water in the coop. But you can encourage them to come out by giving treats, food, and water outside of the coop door. Just like people tend to want to hunker down when it's chilly outside, so do your flock. As long as they are eating, drinking, and otherwise acting normal, there’s nothing to worry about.
Final Thoughts
Fall is a great time to give your chicken coop a deep cleaning. Look for any holes or crevices where predators could get in. You’ll want to make sure your coop has adequate ventilation without being too drafty. It should stay dry inside, even during heavy rain. Chickens can stay warm even in very cold weather as long as they are dry and sheltered from the wind.
You should lay down fresh litter inside the coop and make sure you have plenty of chicken feed to get through the fall and winter. With a little tender loving care and a bit of patience, you and your flock can enjoy the changes that happen all season long.