Raising chickens in October: 20 tasks for a healthy flock.

Autumn is upon us, and winter will soon be closing in. October is a good time to prepare your coop and flock for the colder months ahead.

It's best to get these jobs done while the weather is still reasonable. Trying to fix a coop when it's so cold your fingers stick to the wood is no fun!

What to do.

1. Keep a good quality, nutritionally balanced feed as the basis of their diet. Feathers are largely made from protein, so enough protein is especially important during the moult. Suitable protein-rich foods can be offered in moderation alongside their usual feed. 

2. Never cut a growing "blood feather". If you normally clip wing feathers, wait until the moult is completely finished before clipping the new growth. 

3. And please, don't put sweaters on moulting chickens. The growing "pin feathers" are extremely sensitive, and clothing rubbing against them can be painful.

Find out much more in my complete guide to moulting chickens.

Make the most of seasonal fruit and veg.

Autumn is a wonderful time for seasonal produce, and some of it can make a tasty treat for your flock.

Apples, berries, grapes, sweetcorn and pumpkin can all be offered in moderation alongside the flock's normal balanced feed. Windfalls are especially useful if you have fruit trees – and they're free!

Apples themselves are fine for chickens. There's no need to panic about the occasional pip, but I would never deliberately feed large quantities of apple seeds.

See my article about whether chickens can eat apples for more detail.

October is also pumpkin time, and chickens love pumpkins! 

For more detail, take a look at my article about chickens and pumpkins. 

What to do.

4. Gather sound windfalls and offer to your flock while still fresh. Discard anything mouldy or badly spoiled.

5. After Hallowe'en, undecorated pumpkins can be cut into halves or quarters and offered to the flock rather than being wasted. 

6. If you grew sunflowers during the summer, check for mature, dry seed heads. Your chickens will strip the seeds themselves. Remember, though: sunflower seeds are a treat, not a replacement for their balanced feed.

Prepare your coop for winter.

October is a good time to clear out summer bedding, deep-clean the coop for winter and check for leaks or poor ventilation.

Bedding can be a surprisingly controversial subject among backyard chicken keepers. When I kept my flock in Italy, I used sand during the massively hot summers. It helped enormously with flies and the chickens love to dust bathe in it!

For the very cold Italian winters, I preferred the deep litter method.

What works best will depend on your coop, climate and circumstances. Whichever bedding you use, though, autumn is a good time to freshen it up.

What to do.

7. Stock up on new bedding and clear out the old.

8. Give the empty coop a thorough clean. Sanitise the floor, roosting bars and nest boxes, paying particular attention to accumulated droppings and dirt. If you use a disinfectant, choose one suitable for poultry housing and follow the instructions carefully.

9. While the coop is empty, check for red mites and other pests.

10. Check for draughts, but don't block the ventilation. Your chickens need fresh air above roosting level, whilst avoiding cold draughts blowing directly across them as they sleep.

11. Check the roof, walls and door for leaks. A dry coop is especially important in winter. Excess moisture inside the coop contributes to damp conditions and can increase the risk of frostbite.

Plan for predators and pests.

As we move closer to winter, changing weather and food availability can bring predators closer to backyard flocks. Foxes, coyotes, hawks, and in Europe, members of the weasel family including pine martens can all pose a threat. 

And to them, your chickens can look like an easy meal.

Rodents, too, may look for food and shelter as the weather gets colder. A chicken coop with a ready supply of grain can provide both. 

So use this month to make sure your coop is as predator- and pest-resistant as possible. 

What to do.

12. Check that coop doors, windows and latches close securely. In areas where raccoons are a problem, simple latches may not be enough. Raccoons are amazingly dexterous and can open basic fastenings with ease. 

13. Inspect hardware cloth and fencing around the chicken run for holes, gaps or loose edges. Repair them promptly: rodents and some predators can get through surprisingly small openings.

14. Check your protection against digging predators. If your run is vulnerable, a secure wire "apron" extending outwards around the perimeter can help stop animals digging underneath. Use strong welded mesh or hardware cloth rather than ordinary chicken wire which is not strong enough. 

15. Make feed less accessible to rodents and wild birds. Store feed in secure containers, clear up any spills, and consider a treadle feeder which keeps food covered when chickens aren't eating.

I have used that kind of feeder for over 15 years. Read my full long-term review of Grandpa's Automatic Feeder here.

Plan for the big freeze! 

This month, plan how you will keep your flock topped up with clean, fresh water during the coming winter.

Fresh water needs to be available at all times, including during freezing weather..

If you're in an area where the water is likely to freeze this winter, now is the time to start planning to do something about it. Don't leave it until the dishes are frozen over.

What to do.

Work out how you'll refill waterers in freezing weather. 

16. If you're using an outdoor tap or standpipe, protect it against freezing and make sure your hose can be drained and stored somewhere frost-free after use.

17. Have a second waterer ready. You can swap it for an unfrozen one while the first thaws indoors.

I find a flexible rubber feed tub useful in freezing weather: if a thin layer of ice forms, it's easier to remove. 

18. Consider a purpose-made electric plate to heat your metal waterer or heated base if you have a safe electricity supply. Always use equipment made for the type of waterer you have, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. 

I choose not to have electricity in my coop because I don't want a fire risk, so this is not something I've personally used.

Give your flock an autumn health check.

Finally, spend some time watching and handling your chickens this month. As winter approaches it's a good opportunity to check that every member of the flock is heading into the colder weather in good condition.

What to do.

19. Give each chicken a basic health check. Look at body condition, eyes, nostrils, comb and wattles, feet, feathers and skin. Check for signs of parasites.

Take a look at my detailed chicken health check article. It lists everything to watch for to make sure your flock is healthy.

20. Weigh your chickens if you can, and make a note of their weight. Feathers can hide changes in body condition, particularly during the moult, so knowing what's normal for each bird can help you spot unexpected weight loss later.

And don't forget to enjoy your chickens this month. Autumn can be a beautiful time of year, for you and your flock.

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