Keeping Chickens

Is keeping chickens really a good idea? 

In the vast majority of cases it is a great idea. Chickens are loveable and social birds. The more love you give the more eggs you will get. There is nothing like eating your own free range eggs. You just can't compare a free range egg to a factory farmed egg.

How many chickens can I have?

How much land and space have you got? You can have up to 40 chickens before you have to register them as a flock with DEFRA. But the average person with an average sized garden, your looking at 3 - 6. If you can offer them more space then you looking at between 6 and 20. Its up to you really, you can start small and then get more at a later date.

I want to keep chickens, what size house do I need to get?

Well the recommendation is to allow 1sq foot per bird, but I would rather go for twice that. But basically if your going to keep chickens then they are going to be outside pretty much all the time, aprt from night time and when they need to lay. You should also remember that chickens are addictive and you will probably want to increas your flock after a while. So, go bigger.

How much outside space do my chickens need?

The simple answer is as much space as possible. What ever space you can let chickens have, they will appreciate.

Should I let them out into the garden?

If you want to, then do so. Please make sure your garden is secure and please keep an eye out for neighbouring dogs or foxes. Be aware chcikens love to scratch around for bugs, so they will head straight to your flower and vegetable beds. Although if you want the chickens to get all the bugs out of your vegetable beds in the winter, they will happily oblige.

What about security from predators in the garden?

Foxes will be the main predators, and a fox can come visiting at anytime. Make sure that you have secure fencing, it needs to be dug underground at least 8 inches and the height of the fencing should be at least 5 foot high, preferably 6. Make sure your chickens are shut in before its dark and always check around before letting them out. Foxes aren't stupid, if you let them out at the same time every morning they will notice your routine. Make a habit of every so often checking under bushes, behind fencing or across neighbouring gardens or fields.

What size should my perches be?

How long is a piece of string? Your looking at providing enough room for all your chickens to sit comfortably and be able to turn around while on the perch. So your looking at about 8 - 10 inches per bird. You will find that young birds will not roost for a couple of weeks, but don't worry they will work it out. The perch should be about 2 inches think to amke it comfortable for the chickens to sit on but it will also be strong enough to hold the weight. As for the height of the perch, it depends on your housing but at least 6 inches off the floor. In my house the perch is about 2.5 feet off the floor.

 

Do they really need nesting boxes?

Chickens will need a couple of nesting boxes at least, more than one is needed usually as they will stand an queue. Also you don't want all your chickens having to pile in one box as you will risk having eggs damaged. A nice strong box that will make your chicken feel safe and secure with sawdust or straw inside. You will then be rewarded with regular eggs.

Will they get cold in the winter?

Like all birds, chickens have a set of feathers specially made to keep the drafts out. You may need to take more care of those chickens that have lost feathers for some reason or if you have recently got some ex battery hens. As long as you provide safe, strong, decent housing the chickens will easily look after themselves.

Will my chickens get bored at all?

Chickens are social animals, so you must never just have one. The least you should have is three, if you have two you could risk one being dominated by the other. Chickens love scratching around for food, unearth some soil for them or hide some food in different places.

What is a dust bath?

A dust bath is a section of soil or sand that the chickens can roll around in. Chickens cover themselves in the sand and this helps to clean them and get out any of the bugs from in their feathers.

What should I feed them beside Poultry Food?

Feed them Layers pellets or Growers pellets and a little mixed corn. Don't feed them too much corn as this is really a muscle bulking agent, its not actually doing your chickens much good. Other than that feed your chickens scraps like bread, mash potatoes, rice and so on. Chickens are quite sensible and only really eat what they want.

Is it true I can feed them their eggshells?

Yes you can, break it down and then the chickens will eat it. This then gets broken down in the body and actually goes to help the chicken produce new and better eggshells.

I have cats and dogs, will they attack my chickens, or vice versa?

I personally have never heard of a cat attacking a grown chicken, they could go for a young chick. Chickens have a sharp beak and claws, too much much hassle for a cat. In the case of dogs, you will have to be careful, some dogs will see chickens as somehting to chase and kill.

Should I get a cockerel?

No you don't have to. I don't have one and would only really get one if I intended to breed. Beware that some cockerels can be particularly vocal and viscious.

What do I do if my chicken is ill?

You could ask fellow chicken owners or breeders, but if you are that worried seek the advice of a vet. Please see a vet whou is poultry friendly though, some don't give chickens the time of day.

My chickens aren't laying?

Your average hybrid chicken will lay between 240 - 300 eggs a year, so you won't get one every day anyway. When a chicken has a moult they will often stop laying as they need the energy to sort their bodies out. As chickens get older, they will lay less and less.

How do I stop my chickens breaking the eggs open?

The best way to deal with this problem is to remove the eggs after they have been laid. But if you do have a chicken who is breaking the eggs, take one egg, drain it, fill with mustard and then when the chicken comes to breaking it open it gets a nasty surprise. Or you can buy china eggs, which once the chicken realises it can't get in, it will give up.

I get the odd soft shelled egg, is my chicken alright?

Probably not, it usually means your chicken could do with some grit in their diet. This will help in the formation of the egg shell and make it stronger. Chickens can often lay soft shelled or misshapen eggs if they are surprised or shocked.

One of my chickens keeps sitting on the eggs and won't come out?

She is more than likely broody, which is fine if you want to breed and you need a broody hen. If you don't then you have to try and stop this. Some will do this by putting the broody hen into a seperate run with no nesting box.

My chickens seem to be loosing their feathers?

This is an annual event when the chicken moults. Its the chicken's way of introducing new feathers, it will last for a couple of weeks and your chicken should be fine. In some cases your chicken can look almost different with her new feathers.

Designed By: Atomic Apple Design