Our chickens made it through their first winter.

January has always been the month that tests both patience and resilience, not just for us, but for the animals we care for too. This winter felt long, damp, and bitterly cold at times, and more than once I found myself peering out of the kitchen window towards the garden, wondering how my three little feathered companions were coping with it all.

Against the odds, and with a fair bit of spoiling from their keeper, my three pet chickens have come through the depths of winter stronger than ever.

Cold mornings became part of our routine. Before the kettle even boiled, I was pulling on boots and heading out with fresh water, breaking thin sheets of ice from their drinker and scattering grain across the frozen ground. Chickens may wear feathers, but they still feel the chill, and I quickly learned that small comforts make a big difference. Extra straw in the coop, a windbreak on the run, and making sure every crack and draught was sealed gave them a snug little winter lodge to huddle in each night.

They repaid the effort in their own quiet way. Egg production slowed, as it always does when daylight fades, but their personalities never dulled. Even on the greyest mornings they would greet me with hopeful clucks, hopping about impatiently while breakfast was served. There is something oddly cheering about being welcomed by three enthusiastic hens when the rest of the world still feels half asleep.

Now, with January almost behind us and the days stretching a little longer, I can finally feel winter loosening its grip. The frost is visiting less often, the mud is starting to dry, and the girls are spending more time scratching about in the run instead of sulking indoors. It can only mean one thing – spring is quietly warming up in the wings.

This weekend marks an important moment in our chicken calendar: the great coop clean. Out will come the old bedding, the dusty corners will get a proper scrub, and fresh straw will be laid down ready for the busy months ahead. A clean coop always feels like a fresh start, not just for them but for me too. It is my way of saying, “You made it. Now let’s get ready.”

Because ready we must be. Before long the nest boxes will be filling again, and those three hardy survivors will be back in full production mode, providing us with a steady supply of golden-yolked eggs all summer long. I am already looking forward to the first proper spring egg, warm in the hand, a small but perfect reward after months of cold mornings and frozen fingers.

Keeping chickens through winter is not always easy, but it is endlessly rewarding. Watching them come through the hardest season reminds me why I love having them so much. They are tougher than they look, full of character, and a gentle reminder that with a little care and attention, even the coldest months can be weathered.

Here’s to clean coops, longer days, and a busy, egg-filled summer ahead