Fall Chicken Care | Ultimate Guide [2025]

Crisp mornings, crunchy leaves, and feathers drifting across the yard—fall is a season of transition in the backyard flock world. Chickens are preparing for winter, slowing down their egg production, and spending more energy regrowing feathers than laying. While they adapt well to seasonal changes, fall flock care requires a few smart shifts in feed, coop management, and daily routines.

This guide covers everything you need to know about raising chickens in fall—from feeding chickens during molt, to protecting your flock from predators, to keeping egg production steady as daylight fades.

Fall is molting season for most flocks, and it can look alarming if you’re not expecting it. Chickens lose old feathers to grow in new, warmer plumage before winter sets in. The process can last 6–8 weeks and often results in scraggly-looking birds and a noticeable drop in egg production. Understanding why molting happens—and how to feed chickens through it—makes the transition easier on your flock.

Nutrition during molt is critical. Feathers are made of keratin—a protein—so hens need more protein and slightly less calcium than in peak laying season.

• Protein needs: 18–20% during molt (vs. 16–18% for regular laying).

• Calcium needs: ~1% since egg production slows.

The best way to support your flock is to temporarily switch from a layer feed to a grower feed or offer a feather-fixer ration. If you stick with a layer feed, add protein-rich supplements like black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, scrambled eggs, or black oil sunflower seeds.

👉 READ: Ultimate Chicken Feed Guide

🔍 Pro tip: Avoid handling molting hens unless necessary—new pinfeathers are sensitive and can break, causing pain.

A fall chicken coop needs to handle rain, shorter days, and predators that get hungrier as harvest ends. Unlike summer, when airflow is all about heat relief, fall is about keeping things dry, ventilated, and predator-proof. Chickens tolerate cold much better than dampness, so ventilation becomes the top priority in your coop setup.

Ventilation vs. Insulation

Keep vents open high on coop walls to let humid air escape. Seal roof leaks before fall storms but resist the urge to make the coop airtight—stale, damp air is worse than a draft.

Bedding for Fall

• Hemp bedding: low dust, compostable, and excellent for absorbing moisture.

• Straw: insulating, but mold-prone in damp weather.

• Sand: ideal for runs, less effective inside once freezing temps hit.

Fall Coop Checklist

• Deep-clean and reset bedding before frost.

• Scrub feeders/waterers to prevent mold.

• Elevate feeders to avoid soggy messes.

• Check locks—predators get bold in fall.

 

READ: Chicken Coop Bedding Guide

And when it comes to bedding, skip deep litter. Opt for clean, dry material like hemp bedding or sand. Hemp is naturally cooling, low in dust, and helps combat moisture—which makes it your best friend in both odor and pest control departments.

As the weather cools, chickens naturally increase their feed intake. Feeding chickens in fall means balancing energy for warmth, protein for feather regrowth, and calcium for eggshell strength. Choosing the right organic chicken feed for the season helps hens stay healthy and productive as daylight fades.

How Much Feed Do Chickens Eat in Fall?

• Daily feed per hen: 0.25–0.5 lbs (about 1 cup)

• Weekly feed per hen: 2–3 lbs

• A flock of 3-4 hens eats ~1 × 23 lb bag/month

Expect hens to eat closer to 0.5 lbs/day as temps drop.

READ: Ultimate Chicken Feed Guide

Feeding by Stage

• Laying hens (20+ weeks): Stick with a layer feed for chickens (16–18% protein, 3.5–4.5% calcium). Mile Four’s Organic Layer Feed is formulated to support both hen health and strong shells.

• Molting hens: A high-protein chicken feed (18–20% protein, ~1% calcium) such as Organic Grower Feed is worth a try.

Seasonal Fall Treats (≤10% of diet)

• Pumpkins & squash 🎃 → rich in vitamins A & C, boredom busters.

• Black oil sunflower seeds → protein + fat for warmth.

• Sprouted grains → fresh greens when pasture slows.

• Apple scraps → seasonal but avoid seeds.

 

Hydration in Cooler Temps

Even in fall, chickens drink 2–3x more water than feed by weight.

• Use black rubber bowls—won’t crack in frost.

• Keep waterers clear of falling leaves.

• Add apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp per gallon weekly) to support gut health.

As natural food sources diminish and weather changes, predators often expand or shift their hunting zones. Fall is indeed a time when raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and owls may intensify pressure on easy prey—like your beloved flock.

Fall brings fewer flies, but parasites and predators don’t disappear. In fact, harvest season pushes raccoons, hawks, and rodents closer to coops as they search for food. A strong coop defense plan keeps your flock safe and healthy through the season.

Parasite Prevention in Fall

Cool, damp weather may slow down flies, but mites and lice can remain active well into fall. These pests irritate your flock, reduce egg production, and weaken overall health if left unchecked. Staying ahead of them is simple with a few consistent habits:

• Keep dust baths available year-round with sand, soil, and wood ash.

• Refresh bedding regularly to reduce hiding spots for pests.

• Add a sprinkle of diatomaceous earth to coop corners and perches.

• Use organic insect repellents—to deter mites and lice naturally without harsh chemicals.

🔍 Pro tip: Check your hens’ vent feathers weekly; early detection is the easiest way to prevent infestations from spreading.

 

Predator Patrol

• Raccoons/opossums: Use predator-proof latches.

• Hawks: Bare trees mean fewer hiding spots—add run netting or reflective tape.

• Rodents: Store chicken feed in metal bins and collect eggs daily.
  
  

🔍 Pro tip: Take a flashlight walk at night—predator eyes glow and reveal who’s prowling.

Shorter fall days mean fewer eggs. Egg production is tied to daylight hours, and with molting stress, baskets naturally lighten. Instead of worrying, adjust your expectations and focus on flock health.

Supporting Egg Laying in Fall

Oyster Shell is a premium source of calcium for building stronger egg shells. It helps replenish calcium stores so shells stay strong when laying resumes.

Light Options

• Natural rhythm: Let hens rest for winter.

• Artificial boost: Add 2–3 hours of morning light with a timer. Keep nights dark.

Egg Collection Tips

• Collect daily in mild weather.

• In freezing temps, collect 2–3x daily to prevent cracked shells.

• Store unwashed eggs at room temp for up to 2 weeks, or refrigerate longer.

Broody Hens in Fall

Along with shorter daylight and molting, another reason your hens may stop laying in fall is broodiness. A broody hen is one that decides she wants to hatch chicks, whether or not you’re giving her fertilized eggs. While broodiness is less common in cooler months, some breeds are determined sitters and may go broody year-round.

Signs of a broody hen:

• She refuses to leave the nest box, even at night.

• She puffs up her feathers, growls, or pecks when approached.

• You notice bare skin on her chest—she plucks feathers to warm her clutch.

If you’re not planning to hatch chicks, broodiness can be disruptive—especially when egg production is already slowing in fall. To discourage it:

• Collect eggs promptly to reduce the urge to sit.

• Block off the favorite nesting box temporarily.

• Offer enrichment, like hanging pumpkins or cabbage, to redirect energy.

• For persistent hens, consider a “broody breaker” crate—a wire-bottom cage with food and water, placed in a bright, draft-free spot.

On the other hand, if you want to let a hen hatch chicks in fall, be mindful that cooler weather is harder on both mother and babies. Provide a draft-free nesting area with deep bedding, supplement her diet with high-protein chicken feed (like Organic Grower Feed) to keep her strength up, and ensure chicks have a heat source if temperatures dip too low.

READ: Ultimate Chicken Feed Guide

Fall is the prep season for winter success. By taking steps now, you’ll save yourself stress later when temperatures drop.

Water Systems

• Inspect waterers for cracks.

• Prep heated bases or insulated buckets before frost.

• Test your setup early.

Feed & Supplies

• Stockpile organic chicken feed now.

• Keep grit available year-round—essential when pasture scratching slows. Mile Four’s Layer Grit supports digestion, while Chick Grit is perfect for younger pullets.

• Keep oyster shell stocked for calcium support.

Coop & Run

• Add windbreaks (tarps, straw bales) to block wind.

• Elevate feeders and waterers.

• Walk the perimeter after rain to spot leaks or pooling.

👉 READ: Winter Chicken Care Guide

Coop Calm, Flock Cool

Fall chicken care is about protein, preparation, and predator-proofing. By choosing the right feed, refreshing your coop, and stocking grit and oyster shell, your hens will thrive through molt, stay safe from predators, and enter winter strong.

Healthy fall routines lead to stronger feathers, better eggs, and a happier flock come spring.