How to keep your chickens happy and healthy.
As with any animal or pet there are certain things you need to consider to ensure a happy healthy chicken.
Chicken housing
A chicken house or coop provides protection from predators and allows your chickens to have a safe place to lay their eggs. While chicken houses come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and designs, they should all have the following features:
• Built with materials that can be easily cleaned and disinfected.
• Provide proper ventilation.
• Have enough space (approx 12 metres square for 30 chickens).
• A light source to provide warmth and light during colder months.
• Adequate perches for the chickens to roost at night.
Your coop will need to include a lay box for your chickens. A lay box is simply a wooden box lined with straw; however, you can make it as extravagant as you like. Make sure the lay box provides a roof for the laying hens, and fits them comfortably on three sides.
It is important that your chickens have access to a fenced area outdoors. Chickens have a natural urge to scratch dirt, dust bathe, dig and eat bugs, and lay in the sun.
Having a properly fenced outdoor area protects your chickens from predators, but be sure to use fencing that is not spaced too far apart, as your chickens may get caught in the fence gaps.
If food or water is given to your chickens outside of the coup, be sure some sort of shelter covers it. The outdoor area should also have some trees or man-made shelters so that your chickens have some protection from the weather.
Be sure to maintain the outdoor areas your chickens have access to. For example, if the grass becomes too long it can be a chocking hazard to your lovely pets.
Nutrition
Chickens need a balance of fat, protein, and carbohydrates in addition to a range of vitamins and minerals. The best way to ensure you’re providing the correct balance of nutrients is to purchase commercially produced feed. Feed can be purchased at local feed stores, pet shops or at all good garden centres.
Most commercially produced foods do not contain added hormones or antibiotics unless specifically marked. Be sure the feed contains some animal protein, as animal protein is vital in a proper chicken diet. If allowed to roam outdoors freely, chickens will consume approximately 30% of their diet from grass. Clean the chicken feeders regularly to keep your chickens happy and healthy.
Foraging is a great way for your chickens to obtain extra nutrients. Consuming and foraging for grass, small bugs, weeds, seeds, and small rocks aid in digestion, provide your chickens with fresh foods and extra vitamins, gives your chicken additional exercise, and trims their nails through scratching and digging.
Always give your chickens fresh, clean water. You can use special chicken watering containers or simple dishes to provide your chickens with a constant supply of fresh water.
Health
To ensure a healthy flock, always clean food and water dishes. Keep your coop clean and limit the number of chickens inside each coop. Never feed your chickens rotten or moldy food. And make time to observe your chickens for unusual or alarming behaviors.
Healthy chickens are bright and alert. Possible symptoms of illness or injury include weight loss, couching, swollen joints, loss of feathers, labored breathing, enlarged abdomen, thin egg shells, diarrhea, not eating or drinking, abscesses or open wounds, and warts or scabs.
If one of your chickens becomes ill or injured, be sure to isolate it from the rest of your flock. Chickens can become infected with parasites such as lice, fleas, and mites. These parasites can easily be treated and removed from your chickens by seeing your veterinarian or purchasing products such as diatomaceous earth.
Introducing New Chickens
Introducing a new chicken to your flock can present problems, but there are some ways to reduce fighting between new chickens and your existing flock.
Try to introduce new chickens that are of the same age and size as your flock. You may need to build a separate and temporary enclosure for your new chickens and introduce them slowly to the existing chickens.
Your chickens can become aggressive because they want to protect their area from the “intruding” new chicken. You may consider feeding your existing flock treats, such as fruits, worms, or fresh greens, to distract them from the new chicken.
It is best to introduce new chickens when it is dark; if the chickens all wake up together, they are less likely to notice a new addition.
