Fall Flock Care: Preparing Your Flock for the Season Ahead

Fall is a season of transition for backyard flocks. Days are shortening, temperatures are dropping, and most hens will go through their annual molt. It's also the time to prepare your coop and your birds for winter. Here's what to focus on.

Understanding the Molt

Molting is the natural process of hens shedding and regrowing their feathers. It typically happens in fall as daylight decreases and usually lasts 8–16 weeks. During molt:

• Egg production slows dramatically or stops completely — this is normal
• Hens may look ragged, patchy, or even nearly featherless — also normal
• Hens are more sensitive to handling — new pin feathers are painful to touch
• Nutritional needs shift toward protein for feather regrowth

Don't panic when production drops. Your hens are doing exactly what they're supposed to do.

Feed Adjustments During Molt

Feathers are roughly 85% protein. During molt, your hens need more protein than usual to support regrowth.

• Switch to a higher-protein feed (18–20% protein) during molt — many brands offer a "flock raiser" or "all-flock" formula
• Supplement with high-protein treats: mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, scrambled eggs, or sunflower seeds
• Reduce scratch grains — they're low in protein and fill hens up without supporting feather growth
• Continue oyster shell free-choice for hens that are still laying

Egg Production in Fall

As days shorten below 14 hours of light, hens naturally reduce or stop laying. You have two options:

• Let nature take its course — hens rest, molt, and resume laying in spring. This is the most natural approach and supports long-term hen health.
• Add supplemental lighting — a simple timer on a coop light set to maintain 14–16 hours of total light per day will keep hens laying through winter. Use a warm-spectrum bulb and add light in the morning rather than evening to mimic natural dawn.

There's no wrong answer — it depends on your goals and how much you value winter eggs vs. hen longevity.

Coop Prep for Winter

Fall is the time to get your coop winter-ready before temperatures drop.

• Check for drafts — seal gaps and cracks that let cold air in, but maintain ventilation at the top of the coop. Drafts are dangerous; ventilation is essential.
• Deep litter method — start building up bedding depth now. A thick layer of pine shavings generates warmth through composting and insulates the floor.
• Inspect the roof — fix any leaks before winter rain and snow arrive.
• Check roosts — make sure they're wide enough for hens to sit flat-footed (2–4 inches wide). Hens cover their feet with their feathers on cold nights — a flat roost makes this possible.
• Plan for water — if you're in a freezing climate, now is the time to get a heated waterer or water heater base.

Predator Pressure in Fall

Fall brings increased predator activity as wild animals prepare for winter. Foxes, raccoons, and hawks are especially active. Do a full perimeter check of your run and coop:

• Check for gaps, loose hardware cloth, or soft spots in the ground where predators could dig under
• Make sure latches are secure — raccoons can open simple hook latches
• Close the coop at dusk every night without exception

Flock Health Check

Before winter sets in, do a thorough health check on each bird:

• Check weight — a hen going into winter underweight will struggle
• Check for mites and lice — treat now before they're trapped in a closed coop all winter
• Check combs and wattles for any signs of injury or disease
• Cull or rehome any birds that are chronically ill or not pulling their weight — winter is hard on weak birds

Looking Ahead

A little preparation in fall makes winter dramatically easier. Get the coop tight, the birds healthy, and the feed dialed in — and your flock will come through winter in great shape. Check back for our Winter Flock Care guide.