Keeping Your Farm Buzzing During Peak Winter

As winter rolls on through that post holidays/pre-Spring lull it’s the perfect time to shift gears and embrace the quieter yet equally productive season, catch up on some maintenance and get ready to hit the ground running for next growing season! Here are some fun, creative and practical winter activities to keep your farm thriving:

Cozy Chicken Care

Winter can be tough on our feathered friends, but with a little extra TLC, your chickens will stay happy and healthy:

**Winterizing the Coop** Add extra straw bedding for insulation and to keep the floor dry. If needed, consider insulating the coop to keep it warmer and draft-free.

**Nutrition Boost**: Provide high-energy feed to help chickens maintain their body heat. Adding cracked corn for example, can make a big difference.

**Hydration Hack**: Ensure your flock always have access to unfrozen water. Using a heated waterer or waterer base to keep it from freezing can be helpful.

**Entertainment**: Keep them entertained with hanging treats or cabbage piñatas and get them out into the sun as much as possible. This keeps them active and helps reduce winter boredom

Our homemade flock waterer with drop in heating element, works great and gives them about a week of water!

Greenhouse Gardening

Winter doesn’t mean the end of fresh produce! Extend your growing season with these tips:

**Cold Frames and Hoop Houses**: Set up cold frames or hoop houses to grow hardy greens like kale, spinach, and lettuce. These structures protect plants from frost and extend your harvest season.

**Indoor Herbs**: Grow herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley on sunny windowsills or under grow lights. Fresh herbs add a burst of flavor to winter dishes.

**Microgreens**: Cultivate microgreens indoors. They’re quick to grow and packed with nutrients, perfect for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes.

Low tunnels we added this winter

Farm Maintenance and Planning

Winter is the ideal time to tackle maintenance tasks and plan for the upcoming seasons:

**Tool and Equipment Tune-Up**: Sharpen and repair your tools, check and maintain machinery, and organize your storage areas. A well-prepared farm is a productive farm.

**Soil Health**: Conduct soil tests to plan for spring planting. Add compost or cover crops to enrich the soil during the dormant season.

**Plan and Dream**: This is perhaps the best way to beat the winter blues! Sketch out garden layouts, order seeds, and research new sustainable practices you want to implement. Winter is the perfect time for dreaming and planning.

Using scrap wood and plexiglass, we added this window to the indoor section of the goat pen to let in extra light

Community and Learning

Stay connected and informed, even when the fields are covered in snow:

**Workshops and Webinars**: Attend in person classes, online workshops or webinars on topics like permaculture, organic farming, and sustainable practices. Learning never stops!

**Community Engagement**: Share your knowledge and winter activities on social media or your farm’s blog. Attend garden shows and networking events with like-minded groups. Engaging with your community virtually and in person will help build connections with fellow farmers and enthusiasts.

Winter at Chicken De Ville is more than just a waiting game; it's a season of growth, preparation, and connection. Embrace the winter wonderland and let your hobby farm flourish all year round!

Stay warm and happy farming! 🐔🌿