Autumn brings shorter days, colder temperatures and wetter weather and for chicken keepers, it also brings Bonfire Night and fireworks season.
Sudden bangs, bright flashes and changes in routine can unsettle chickens, while darker evenings and unpredictable weather bring their own challenges. At the same time, many birds are going through their annual moult and may benefit from additional nutritional support.
A little preparation can make a big difference. From getting the coop ready for fireworks to supporting birds through moulting and seasonal change, here's how to keep your chickens safe and healthy this autumn.
Do Fireworks Scare Chickens?
Chickens can be startled by sudden or unfamiliar noises, so loud fireworks may cause some birds to become unsettled. Every flock is different: some chickens may appear relatively unfazed, while others can react more noticeably to repeated bangs and flashes.
The best approach is to prepare before the fireworks begin.
If you know there are displays planned nearby, make sure your chickens have access to their familiar, secure coop and try to keep their normal routine as consistent as possible.
Get Your Chickens Settled Before Fireworks Begin
By Bonfire Night, shorter daylight hours mean most chickens will naturally head to roost relatively early.
Check that the whole flock is safely inside and settled before nearby fireworks are likely to start. Trying to round up already frightened birds in the dark can add unnecessary stress for both you and your chickens.
Once they're inside, check that doors and locks are secure and there are no obvious gaps through which a startled bird could escape.
However, resist the temptation to completely seal the coop. Good ventilation remains essential, even during colder weather. The aim is to provide a sheltered, secure environment while maintaining adequate airflow.
Reduce Flashes Where Practical
A familiar, darkened coop can help shelter chickens from some of the activity outside.
If bright flashes are entering through windows, consider temporarily screening them where this can be done safely. Don't cover essential ventilation openings, and make sure anything you use is positioned away from heat sources and doesn't create a fire hazard.
Avoid making major changes to the inside of the coop immediately before Bonfire Night. Keeping the birds' environment familiar can be preferable when there is already unusual activity taking place outside.
Keep Bonfires Away From Chickens and Their Housing
If you're having your own bonfire, make sure it's positioned well away from your chickens, coop, run, bedding and feed stores.
Smoke can irritate the respiratory system, while sparks and embers create an obvious fire risk around wooden poultry housing and dry bedding.
Fireworks, bonfire materials and other flammable items should never be stored in or around your chicken coop.
It's also sensible to check a bonfire before lighting it, as wildlife may have taken shelter inside.
Support Your Flock Through Autumn
Bonfire Night arrives during an already demanding time of year for many chickens.
Adult birds may be going through their annual moult, egg production can decrease as daylight hours shorten, and colder, wetter weather may change how much time chickens spend ranging.
A complete, nutritionally balanced poultry feed should always form the foundation of your flock's diet. During periods of increased nutritional demand, however, targeted supplementation can provide additional support.
Aviform's Chicken & Poultry Supplements include options designed to complement good nutrition and everyday flock management.
For birds going through the autumn moult, MULTIVIT STUFF! All-in-One Chicken Multivitamin and Conditioner provides a combination of 13 vitamins, eight trace elements and minerals, amino acids, a probiotic and a prebiotic. It can be a useful nutritional addition during demanding periods such as moulting and seasonal change.
For more general nutritional support, Total Health Stuff! All-in-One Chicken Tonic is designed to support overall flock condition and can be added to drinking water as part of your normal routine.
Think About Respiratory Health as Temperatures Fall
As the weather becomes colder and wetter, chickens may spend more time around the coop and other sheltered areas.
That's another reason why good ventilation is so important. Keep housing clean and dry, minimise excessive dust and avoid blocking ventilation in an attempt to keep the coop warmer.
Keep an eye out for signs such as persistent sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, noisy breathing, open-mouth breathing, lethargy or a noticeable decline in condition.
Respiratory symptoms can have numerous causes, including infectious disease, so supplements shouldn't be relied upon to manage a sick bird. Seek appropriate veterinary advice if you're concerned.
For general nutritional respiratory support, RESPIRATORY STUFF! Respiratory Supplement for Chickens is also available within Aviform's poultry range.
Keep Checking for Red Mite
Red mite may be more commonly associated with warmer weather, but autumn isn't the time to stop checking your coop.
Regularly inspect areas where mites can hide, including perch ends, nest boxes, cracks and crevices, joints in timber and underneath removable fittings.
Good hygiene and regular physical inspection remain fundamental to red mite management.
Aviform's poultry range also includes Mitey Stuff! Red Mite Liquid Supplement, Mitey-X Stuff! Red Mite Powder and the Mitey Bundle as part of its red mite support range.
Prepare the Coop for Wet and Windy Weather
Fireworks might only be an issue for a few evenings, but autumn weather can challenge your flock for months.
Before winter arrives, inspect the roof for leaks, check timber for signs of damage and make sure doors, hinges and locks are working correctly.
Pay particular attention to bedding. Remove wet or heavily soiled material regularly and replace it with fresh, dry bedding.
The ideal autumn and winter coop should be dry, secure and well ventilated without exposing roosting birds to strong draughts.
Don't Forget About Water
Chickens need constant access to clean, fresh drinking water throughout the year.
Wash drinkers regularly and position them somewhere they're less likely to become contaminated with mud or bedding.
As temperatures begin to fall, start thinking about freezing conditions too. Having a routine in place before the first hard frost means you'll be better prepared to ensure your birds have fresh, unfrozen water each morning.
If you're adding Aviform supplements to drinking water, always follow the individual product directions.
Check Your Flock the Morning After Bonfire Night
After a particularly noisy evening, spend a little extra time observing your chickens the following morning.
Make sure every bird is present and check their general behaviour, appetite, drinking and movement. It's also a good opportunity to inspect the coop and run for any damage.
Knowing what is normal for your individual flock is one of your most useful tools as a chicken keeper.
If a bird shows persistent changes in behaviour, appetite or condition, don't automatically assume fireworks are responsible. Investigate the cause and seek veterinary advice where appropriate.
Autumn Means Longer Nights - Check Your Security
Fireworks aren't the only reason to review flock security at this time of year.
With darkness arriving earlier, your chickens may be heading to roost while you're still away from home.
Check your:
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Coop doors and locks
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Fencing and poultry mesh
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Automatic coop doors, if used
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Timber for damage or rot
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Run for gaps or weak spots
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Fencing for areas where predators could potentially dig underneath
Getting into a reliable routine of securing your flock at dusk is particularly important as the nights draw in.
Your Bonfire Night Chicken Checklist
Before the fireworks begin, make sure:
✓ Chickens have access to a secure, familiar coop
✓ The whole flock is safely settled before fireworks start
✓ Doors, fencing and locks are secure
✓ Essential ventilation remains unobstructed
✓ Bright flashes are reduced where practical and safe
✓ Bonfires and fireworks are kept well away from poultry housing
✓ Bedding is clean and dry
✓ Fresh feed and water are available
✓ Your birds are checked carefully the following morning
Keeping Chickens Safe This Autumn
Bonfire Night doesn't have to mean completely changing how you manage your chickens.
Focus on the fundamentals: secure housing, a familiar routine, good ventilation, appropriate nutrition and regular observation.
Beyond fireworks, autumn is also the perfect opportunity to prepare for the months ahead. Check your housing before severe weather arrives, keep bedding dry, continue looking for parasites and pay particular attention to birds going through their moult.
A little preparation now can help your flock head towards winter healthy, comfortable and well supported.
Support Your Flock This Autumn
From moulting and changing weather to longer nights and Bonfire Night, autumn can bring plenty of changes for your chickens.
Aviform's Chicken & Poultry Supplements include products for general nutrition, moulting and conditioning, digestive support, calcium requirements, respiratory support and red mite management.
Keep your flock supported through every season.