For many poultry keepers in Australia we don't need to worry about of much loved birds during the winter time as they have their own puffer jackets on year round. But for some poultry keepers in Victoria and Tasmania (were it gets especially cold during the winter)  they feel the need to give their birds a little bit of comfort during the colder months. 

While providing extra heat isn't essential for large breeds it most certainly is for smaller breeds and young birds. So, what can you do? While you may feel the need to fully insulate your coop, add heat lamps and fill the coop with as much bedding as possible not all of this is necessary in Australian climates. 

For a Victorian winter, I would recommend adapting your coop so wind and rain/snow cant get in but moisture can get out. This is because you may experience a build-up of condensation in your coop making everything wet and wet chooks aren't happy chooks. if you have power to your coop the birds may benefit from a small heat lamp on the very cold of days.

Young birds during winter.

Some breeders chose to rear chicks all year round, if you wish to start raising birds during winter I recommend speaking to breeders at your local poultry club so you know exactly how do things. While I don't have much experience raising birds in winter due to lack of pens I can strongly recommend keeping them indoors until fully feathered. I would then recommend providing a coop with a out door run but still providing a heated coop so they don't freeze. Similar to when birds are in the brooder if your birds are closely huddled around the heat lamp(s) you should add more lamps. Furthermore, if the birds are all outside/away from the heat lamps I recommend removing a light or only have it on at night. If you have any issues such as significant numbers of birds randomly dying I strongly suggest you contact the experienced poultry keepers on Facebook or your vet.