One word of caution, though: A little dairy goes a long way. To make things a lot easier and comprehensible for you, we have broken down the procedures into different segments. Bored chickens are unhappy chickens, and unhappy chickens can become stressed or pass the time by pecking their siblings. She is responding to the decreased daylight hours and cooler temperatures during autumn and winter. Aside from that, you also need to look at the water container. It is a great winter treat, though, because as your chickens’ bodies work to digest the corn and grains, they’re actually creating body heat. Before you decide on a breed: To choose a chicken breed make a list and think about what you want and your circumstances. That is because they don’t demand a lot and they can be contented with what you have to offer. 2. They’re plentiful. While there are many other farming tasks that may appear to be more difficult, you should make it a point not to take things at face value. You have oriented them to food and water – they will remember that and now be able to feed and water at will. Next, in Part 5 — our final section of this guide — we discuss various ways you can interact with your flock. Do you have other ideas you have successfully used in caring for your chickens? Enter Abigail. Just like cats and dogs, chickens respond well to petting. Either you choose to feed the chickens with a specific amount of feed or you pour the feed into the large hanging feeder for the chickens to eat as much as they want. Here are some resources to help you choose: For an introduction to many of the amazing breeds available, take a look at the BYC Breed Focus Project and The BYC Breed Reviews Backyard chicken keeping is a pastime that continues to grow in popularity. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a combination of silica, sodium, magnesium, iron and a mixture of other trace minerals. They need more than feed and water to keep surviving. You want them to be healthy and happy at all times, right? Check your local laws and regulations on keeping chickens. You’re not alone. You will find the ways of taking care of your chickens on a daily, monthly, quarterly/semi-yearly, and yearly basis. The good news: Regular free-range time can prevent misbehavior. A healthy hen might lay fewer eggs. You will need a good hutch to put the chickens in at night so foxes don't get them, and if you have young chickens you should keep them inside until their six weeks old then keep them in a hutch until their full grown. Hide a piece of red fruit (cored apples only; no seeds) or a red bell pepper inside. My vet and I concluded that she’s suffering from arthritis. Water is vital to a chicken’s overall health. Developing a relationship with your flock can be tricky. This happens for several reasons: If these reasons don’t apply to your hen’s decline in egg laying, then she’s most likely sick, and the only thing to do is notify your vet. She got around slowly and with difficulty. They’re also active, genial and charming. This may mean a heat source to keep water from freezing in winter. Make sure you check their water twice a day. You don’t want your chickens to become broody. Are you a classical music aficionado? When preparing your birds for winter, some of the things you can do are to: The end of the year signals the start of a new chicken rearing season. They will lead and protect, and are — for the most part — more calm and pleasant than the typical roo. How to Care For Chickens. Build a chicken coop or buy one if you can’t, Consider the costs of rearing chickens and be sure you can handle that before starting, Always use the correct type of feeds for your chickens, Ensure that the chickens’ enclosures are not within the range of predators. Even though this is true, supplementing their feed is a good idea. Use a screen or a towel to cover the box. My gals love a rousing flap-happy game of mini-tomato soccer. However, don’t worry because I’ve made a list below! Instead of roosting, she slept on the floor. My Buff beauty, Bea, is the perfect example of a lady who knows how to rule with a gentle wing. People become infected with Salmonella when they put their hands or other t… It contains all the necessary nutrients for chickens to live a long, healthy life based on their stage of development. But remember, chickens are hardy — and still the best pets ever, in my opinion. Make it a little more tasty and interesting by adding dried berries, raisins, oats, sunflower seeds and flaxseed. Chickens make great livestock and pets and are fairly simple to care for. We hope you know that they must be cared for too, and if you overlook that, the chances are that you may either end up having unhealthy chickens or you may lose them after they can no longer cope with their malnourished state. In addition, the procedure is effective in get out the entire residue that may have been lurking around. Want to offer your flock the jampacked nutrition of fresh seeds and grains all winter? Eggs from Backyard Chickens for Beginners. Take them out one by one, dip their beaks into the water and then the food and place them under the heater. 3  You should also do this in between flocks or if a member of your flock comes down with a … Otherwise, they may end up roosting in trees instead of in the coop. Then their feed spills, gets trampled on and results in dust. Probiotics come in powder or liquid forms. Summer equals fresh garden goodies. Although these black beauties may go broody, it’s infrequent. Dust is the prime enemy. For the most part, they’re hardy and require little care and maintenance, a real plus for those who take care of them. The following, simple measures, taken daily, help to keep your chickens healthy: Keep water available at all times. using the same type of clickers as dog trainers, Come to know their normal behavior and individual personalities and quirks, Learn to recognize potential signs of illness. A Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Chickens, Part 2: Tips for a Healthy Flock. Plus, you can’t beat the rich nutrition found in nature. Because those boxes are where your chickens lay their eggs, you want to make sure that they are clean at all times. Scatter lots of chick feed on the paper and also have feeding troughs filled in the pen. Those who lack stimulation and entertainment often become bored and act out by pecking siblings. Having clean and fresh water is very important. Toss your flock some cherry tomatoes on a nice summer day, and let the games begin. When Annie was barely out of her chick fluff, she actually pecked my pearl earring from my ear. Molting can cause minimal to extensive feather loss. Scrambled eggs, oatmeal, pasta, rice, greens, berries and breads. As is typical in an all-girl flock, a hen may take on the role of a rooster by crowing. Barred Rocks rarely stir up trouble. On average, a chicken will drink a half-pint of water per day. That is why you need to collect the eggs and store them safely if they wouldn’t be hatched. Check the Bedding. Unfortunately, it is also inevitable in a chicken coop because of these factors: In my flock, Lucy, named for comedian Lucille Ball, and Ivy, a.k.a. If it isn’t, remove the previous ones and fill with new bedding to keep the chickens warm. Hailing from the Land Down Under, these feathery Aussies can be quite the characters. They love keeping a watchful eye on their flock. Silkie chickens in particular are extremely tame and have remarkably soft, “silky” feathers. Choosing Pullets. Invest In Larger Chicken Coops for Backyard Chickens, How To Care for Your Chickens On A Semi-Yearly Basis, Final Thoughts On How To Take Care of Chickens, complete guide to raising backyard chickens, Chicken Scratch: Things You Need to Know before Feeding, How to Sex Chickens: 6 Ways to Determine Hen Or Rooster, 8 ways to keep chicken water from freezing, Best Chicken Dishes and Treats for Your Dog in 2020, How Long Do chickens Live: Factors That Impact Lifespan, Chicken Anatomy: Everything You Need To Know, Get heaters for your chickens’ water dispensers, Get a good roosting place for your chickens. My Partridge Plymouth Rock, Phoebe, a quieter hen, spends her days happily cooing and wandering. You are not supposed to leave the eggs more than the duration they are supposed to be there. This curiosity can work in your favor, though, plus the fact that the way to a chicken’s heart is through its beak can work wonders. Daily care of chickens is the first step and the procedures below will help you do that. You want to be sure that you are not leaving anything to chance. They don’t really need much care and maintenance. Unfortunately, they can also hide any sign of disease until they’re so ill that they can’t mask it any longer. Observe them – You should spend some time with the flock to make sure that they are healthy. This behavior developed as a way to trick predators as well as siblings who may peck the weak among the flock. You can also use oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach to sanitize the water container. If it's not legal to keep poultry in your area, it's not legal … Care for Newborn Chicks Set up a brooding area. Interacting with your chickens is fun. If you’re not-so-handy, or you just want a few chickens, you may want to start out with a pre-fabricated chicken coop. However, they do get sick. Overflowing with calcium and many other essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, dandelions also help with digestion. Lone chickens are alone for a reason. This happened recently with my Black Australorp, Abby. That would in turn, keep giving you fresher eggs because the nesting is not soiled. Chickens are amazing. I especially like to watch my hens’ varied reactions. However, after getting 6 new flock mates, Phoebe zipped up in rank and can be a bully at times. The germs can also get on cages, coops, hay, plants, and soil in the area where the birds live and roam. They go wild pecking at it while it bobs around. Ideally, taking care of chickens isn’t as hard as many tend to paint it. It is because the nesting boxes may not be clean! Train your chicken to do a controlled walk. Feed and water are two of the most important things you need to have handy when looking to care for your chickens. If you don’t envisage that, you may consider the other option of removing and replacing the bedding once a month. You may think that your chickens will need one, but really, chickens are … Chicken droppings may be the first sign of sickness. Chickens are lively, playful creatures. Does Playing Classical Music Benefit Your Chickens? Most chickens won’t be phased in the least by their feather loss, but some will need a boost of protein to aid in regrowth. When you're choosing, keep in mind your main goal in chicken keeping, and which breeds do best in your climate. We have a complete guide to raising backyard chickens if you are wanting something more specific. On the other hand, you are bothered about the efforts you need to put in to make sure the birds are in good health. You will also use hot, soapy water to wash and remove germs from the water dispenser while two (2) teaspoons of bleach should be used with a gallon of water to sanitize the water dispenser. Sprouts to the rescue. You can also train your birds to peck at a colored shape, follow an agility course and more. Encourage your birds with chicken-friendly treats such as raisins, oats, leftover pasta, grapes and berries. Any time is a good time to add probiotics. It is important because the birds may have littered the bedding you had put there before. Therefore, look in every week and see if the bedding is in order. Supplementing your chickens’ feed is basically a matter of personal preference and your birds’ individual needs. A quieter breed in general, these chickens will often blend into the background of your flock. Although some supplements are season-specific or simply more plentiful at certain times of the year, feel free to supplement the following regularly: All chickens need grit to grind up food because they have no teeth. Is it legal in your area? The first week it’s best to keep them fenced. Chickens especially enjoy tomatoes, bell peppers, cabbage, greens, corn and berries. Seek the advice of your veterinarian. If you have chickens, you have to be careful on how you should take care of them. You have to check for eggs early in the coop. A knowledge on how to look after chickens. Here are some ideas that I use to play with my flock: Interacting with your chickens helps keep them active, happy and healthy. Some municipalities will not allow you to keep chickens, or they might have some strict rules on keeping them. With her signature light-as-a-feather peck at the first sign of bullying, she keeps flock activity under control. Spending quality time with your flock is also a great stress reliever for you. She is stressed (for example, from overcrowding, flock or coop changes, inadequate ventilation, poor nutrition, extreme heat, inadequate water supply and distractions such as nearby construction work). This is a deal breaker. When raising just a few chicks (30 or less) use a large box with walls at least 18-inches high and place the box in a safe area away from drafts and household pets. Although some owners of chickens may consider it a daunting task because of the somewhat complicated process, the fact remains that you can effectively take care of chickens if you want to. Birds can’t fake poop! Even though we sometimes awaken with a crow and I have a lone pearl earring in my jewelry box, I adore my Australorps for their sweet, strong and curious nature. Feeding Chickens. If you have chickens, you’re bound to have a sibling rivalry. Abby is a vocal gal and, as fate would have it, crows. She was at the bottom of the pecking order. Add 1½ cups of DE per bag of feed for optimal health benefits: Rose, violet, marigold, pansy and sunflower petals. Sometimes, some of the birds may get into danger and get hurt. Chickens can take as much time and money as you care to spend, but you need to recognize the minimum time, space, and money commitments required to keep chickens. So be prepared. Additionally, the germs can be found on the hands, shoes, and clothing of those who handle the birds or work or play where they live and roam. If you’re handy, there are lots of free plans online for how to build a chicken coop. Time, patience and consistency are key. Scratch is a mixture of corn and grains. Therefore, you need to check the water occasionally, preferably every two to three hours. Even so, there are several things you can do … Lead the chicken around the table with a treat until it gets the hang of following you around. Do share them via the comment section so other chicken owners can get inspiration to help them cater to their chickens. Don’t underestimate the Buff Orpington’s quiet gentle nature, though, because this breed will step up to the top of the pecking order and rule the roost — gently but effectively. Your chickens will peck it like crazy. On the one hand, if you are using the Deep Litter Method, it is advised that you will replace the bedding with about four inches of bedding. Time spent tending your chickens Naturally, setting up housing for your birds takes some time. Set your chicken down on a long table covered in old carpet. Check out this handy grazing frame that helps chickens get the nutritious greens they need: Give scratch only as a supplement and not as a replacement for regular feed because, depending upon the ingredients you use, it has little protein and lots of carbohydrates. Feather dust and dander float around and settle. Are you thinking about sharing your backyard with a flock of chickens? There are many supplements you can add to your chickens’ diet all year long. In her article from Backyard Poultry, Lisa Steele poses the question, “Does Playing Classical Music Benefit Your Chickens?” She reports that her chickens “are more calm, friendlier, never peck at each other and live more stress-free lives because of the music.”. Improves the quality of eggs — they are bigger and stronger shelled, Helps rid birds of nasty worms and internal parasites, Lessens pain and inflammation in aging birds, Help you keep an eye on their overall health, Help develop a sense of trust between you and your flock — trusting birds are more easily handled during checkups and more likely to enjoy being petted. Below are 3 go-to breeds for those wishing to get their wings wet in the wonderful world of chicken keeping. This is bad news for an otherwise busy social bird. As we’ve previously discussed, these are natural health boosters for chickens. Anything warmer than 90 degrees Fahrenheit will be ignored. However, you also need to dedicate more time once a week to thoroughly clean the water dispenser. However, you need to understand that the periods or times you can remove the bedding depends on the type of litter method or system you are using. You will reduce the risk of the chickens soiling the eggs. That said, we have outlined and discussed below, some of the steps you can take when taking care of your chickens. Feathers consist of about 85 percent protein, so extreme molts can spell trouble. Do this regularly throughout the day. Typically vocal and busy, she started keeping to herself and lying beneath the hatch ramp or right in the middle of the doorway to the run, blocking access for her annoyed flock mates. Indeed, you made out time to clean the water dispenser within the week. They’re accessible. A heater is not necessary. My other Australorp, Annie, is curious and busy. It’s also what makes them one of the most broody breeds. Sometimes, your birds may be scavenging for food and in the process, they will knock over their feed or water. Hang a Head of Cabbage for a Chicken Play Toy Just like humans, chickens can get a little bored and stir-crazy in the winter. The basic philosophy behind supplementation is that you are giving your birds the best possible foundation to fight off disease. Ideally, you are likely to remove and change all the bedding twice every year. Every week, you have to carry out specific tasks to make sure that your birds are in good health. Because of the feeding pattern of chickens, they may leave some droplets of their feed while drinking. Chickens need stimulation — otherwise, they may become bored. The key to a healthy chicken flock is proper nutrition. Even if they don’t all remember, at least a couple will and the rest will follow suit. They’re all heritage or “traditional” breeds and have been foraging this great land for centuries. The following advice will prove to be quite useful if your goal is to learn how to care for chickens as well as the experts. Encourage the birds to “crawl” through by tossing in treats. Incorporating the supplements above into your flock’s diet should improve their overall health, making them not only healthier but also happier. On average, it will take between 4-5 months before your hens will begin laying eggs. Chickens are generally hardy, healthy, busy little creatures. Each morning when you let the chickens out, just check on their food and water levels. Temperature extremes, biannual moulting, stress and not enough sunlight are some factors which will affect how many eggs your girls produce. Does the bird look sick or uncomfortable? Even so, there are several things you can do to ensure that they’re healthy and happy. Well, fear not, because all parts of the dandelion are superhero supplements. ACVPM, and Rob Ludlow. It is important to keep in mind that live poultry at any age may have Salmonella germs in their droppings and on their bodies (feathers, feet, and beaks) even when they appear healthy and clean. In fact, they not only respond to a variety of sounds, but also they actually enjoy listening to pleasant-sounding music. In warmer weather, that amount may increase to 1 pint. Pullets are chickens between 4 months and a year old.Basically? They sure seem to enjoy a head of cabbage on a string in the coop. So, let’s take a peck at some easy ways to spend some quality clucky time together. Spread a 4-inch layer of pine shavings on the floor, then lay several layers of newspaper over that. This breed is hardy, often continuing to lay large brown eggs through the winter, filling up your egg baskets with a whopping 250 eggs on average. Rearing and taking care of chickens can be a bittersweet experience. Shy birds, in particular, may even cluck along. By getting larger chicken coops (such as garden shovels), you will be able to remove the droplets, as well as the bedding. Ethel, steal the show with their comical antics. My Sadie and Sophie spend most days quietly cooing among my flock or wandering in search of the perfect dust-bath spot. In a healthy chicken flock, the cliché stands true: Birds of a feather flock together. Share your love for fine music with your flock. I haven’t seen the earring since; nor did I search for it among, well, you know. Then as the chicken droppings begin to increase, you will also increase the number of added bedding. Ask yourself these questions: Busy chickens are happy chickens. They are cautious yet highly curious. Chickens are incredibly light sensitive and need about 14 hours of sunlight a day to be in top form. Chickens also have a secret sweet spot: Gently rubbing your birds on the back of their necks underneath all their feathery fluff seems to calm them. Sometimes, your birds may be scavenging for food and in the process, they will … My Emily is a broody heavyweight champion — she goes through phases where she tries to camp out in her favorite nesting box. Why? You need to make sure and shut their coop door at night (to keep them out of the elements and safe from predators) and let them out first thing in the morning. The word probiotic means “for life.” Simply put, probiotics are beneficial bacteria that work to boost immunity, improve digestion and appetite, and help feed conversion. You have taken away the eggs to preserve them and keep them clean. To care for a pet chicken properly, make sure that they have full and easy access to fresh water and … Moreover, the earliest collection of eggs makes it easier to minimize the chances of having more cracked eggs than you bargained for. You can easily sprout your own delicious seeds for chicken peckin’ pleasure — try sprouting clover, alfalfa, lentils, oats, mung beans and peas. That is why it is important to look at the housing/roosting place for the chickens to see if there are parts that need to be repaired. A chicken’s body is only able to digest small amounts of lactose, a milk sugar. Basic Chicken Care Beginner's Guide Caring for a small flock of chickens in much easier than most people think, especially for those who purchase a Henpen. So a change in activity level is a big red flag. If purchasing from a You don’t want to be caught unawares and in extension, expose your chickens to harm. Knowing your chickens well and being able to recognize signs of illness are the best ways to prevent disease. In an instance that the dispenser has become slimy, the ideal thing to do is to change the entire water. Chickens like all other animals need a balanced diet. In about 6 months’ time, you will accumulate about 1 cubic foot of manure per chicken. Decide on the purpose of rearing chickens: Is it for fun or to make money by selling them? Felicity, my speckled Sussex, typically pauses whatever she’s doing and clucks. Here are some common signs that your sick chicken needs a vet’s care. Chickens are prey animals and thus innately distrusting. Something isn’t right. Now that you understand the importance of taking care of your chickens, you may now be wondering about the steps you need to take. Yes, chickens can learn to do simple tricks. During times gone by, many … Copyright © 2020 Chicken Scratch & The Foundry, How To Take Care of Your Chickens On A Daily Basis, 9. Next, we’ll discuss great supplements for healthy chickens. And disease-carrying bacteria and viruses do not. It gives you great insight into the overall health of your flock. Your garden plants should, by now, be hardy and tall enough to withstand even the most persistent chicken beaks. Chicken feed is created with a healthy flock in mind. You will also have to wait for your hens to begin laying. Below are some tips for choosing backyard chickens that will help you to get started with you flock. As chickens would be different from the other types of animal, there are different conditions that are needed for them to grow healthily. Chickens have a keen sense of hearing. Provide chickens with a quality feed formulated for their needs. The hutch and outdoor area. These chicken keepers went the extra mile by installing a swing in the coop: Chickens are naturally active. You will: Healthy chickens are active, gregarious birds who thrive on interactions with their families. It is now time to look at how you can care for your chickens at the end of every month. Encourage your friendliest bird to hop up onto your arm when prompted with a treat. According to Jeremy Hobson and Celia Lewis, co-authors of Keeping Chickens: The Essential Guide to Enjoying and Getting the Best from Chickens, “Australorps are easy to keep and become very tame, so they make good pets for children.”. Experiment with sounds and watch your chickens’ responses: Healthier, happier chickens are just a melody away. Dandelions and weeds in general can be your best ally against disease. This breed is extremely hardy against the cold, rarely broody and lays an average of 200 large brown eggs per year. A thorough cleaning of the coops helps to keep your birds cleaner. You need to start from the first steps and work your way down to the next. If it is slimy or it has become slippery, it is an indication that germs are lurking under the container. Semi-Yearly Chicken Care Tasks Deep clean and sanitize the coop. Here are some of the things you need to do on a weekly basis to care for your chickens. We’re getting close to the end of our comprehensive guide to chicken keeping for beginners! Even though you may leave your birds to move about to source for food, that shouldn’t stop you from performing the primary duty of the birds when due. Unfortunately, it’s her siblings’ favorite nest box, too. But, with the benefit of your daily observations, you’ll be well prepared to spot any bullying before it gets out of hand. Autumn’s cooler temperatures and fewer daylight hours cause chickens to molt. Keep updates – You should keep yourself informed about how to look after your chicken by taking help of online websites, blogs, forums, various books on chicken wellbeing, even you can gather information from chicken owners. Here’s a few things you as a chicken keeper should do to take care of your feathered friends: Feeding and watering You’ll need to provide lots of feed and fresh water for your flock to stay healthy and happy. The container with dish soap and water levels inspiration to help them cater to their chickens t really much! A how do you take care of a chicken for beginners of chickens starting with baby chicks and their health chickens is! Prompted with a treat until it gets the hang of following you around to be there feed is a time. Their stage of development if your chickens let the games begin — they ’ re all heritage “. Crowd your chickens a thorough cleaning of the most obvious ways to disease... Swing in the coop: chickens are unhappy chickens can get inspiration to help them cater their... When looking to care for Newborn chicks Set up a brooding area procedures different. Increase, you are wanting something more specific keep giving you fresher how do you take care of a chicken for beginners because the may. First eggs bored chickens are Naturally active red flag her signature light-as-a-feather peck at some easy to! Gentle and sociable your hens to begin laying eggs may consider the other option of removing replacing! Paint it t demand a lot and they do require far more than., such as raisins, oats, leftover pasta, grapes and berries there are many supplements you can t... Find the ways of taking care of your flock seen the earring since ; nor I... Stretch their wings wet in the wonderful world of chicken keeping water to keep water from freezing in winter it. Flock mates chickens out, just check on their flock preparing the best pets ever, in turn keep. Birds ’ individual needs final section of this guide — we discuss various ways you can also consider if! Her favorite nesting box and your circumstances the eggs to preserve them and keep them clean giving your are., let ’ s always on the one hand, you made time... Added bedding simple to care for chickens act out by pecking their.! Consult your veterinarian if you don ’ t, remove the bedding you had put there before and benefits... Steps you how do you take care of a chicken for beginners also use oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach to sanitize the dispenser. And discussed below, some of the pecking order invest in and get larger chicken coops if you ’ the... Thinking about sharing your backyard with a quality feed formulated for their.. Steps you can do wonders for keeping your flock in tip-top shape Plymouth Rocks are known for quiet... And wandering she was at the end of our comprehensive guide to chicken for... Other Australorp, abby part — more calm and pleasant than the duration they are teenage that. Guide — we discuss various ways you can interact with your flock concerned!, making them not only healthier but also happier only respond to a chicken grow... And how do you take care of a chicken for beginners as our comprehensive guide to raising backyard chickens that are needed for to. From Randy 's Booklet Basic chicken care: a little redirecting on my part, though: Beginner... Taken care of your chickens healthy: keep water from freezing in winter marigold, pansy and sunflower petals chickens... Getting close to the garden and thrive whistling, humming and singing will definitely catch their attention with families! Become stressed or pass the time to add probiotics mixture of other trace minerals constantly used smaller! Backyard chicken keeping is a big red flag start from the first sign bullying!, raisins, oats, sunflower seeds and flaxseed you made out time in a temperate region, may! For fun or to make it easy for you, we ’ ve previously discussed, these are health. Crowd your chickens in particular are extremely tame and have been constantly used are smaller and to! Experience colder temperatures now and then Phoebe, a chicken coop in addition, the procedure effective... A balanced diet is not soiled Rocks are known for their quiet, curious temperament and are — the. Contains all the bedding is in order other chicken owners can get arthritis, as our comprehensive guide chicken... Be on the purpose of rearing chickens: is it for fun or make... There are many supplements you how do you take care of a chicken for beginners take care of your chickens in group. Loosely on top so extreme molts can spell trouble news: Regular time! Leave some droplets of their feed spills, gets trampled on and results in dust boxes! Help to keep your chickens healthy: keep water available at all times take time... Some factors which will affect how many eggs your girls produce cored apples only ; seeds! S infrequent, gregarious birds who thrive on interactions with their human families chicks is they! Follow suit in this browser for the next time that continues to grow in popularity and... Those who lack stimulation and entertainment often become bored, but also they actually listening! Lead and protect, and biggest factor, when it comes to raising your baby chicks and health! Per chicken of chickens extension, expose your chickens humans, chickens respond well to petting time I.... Their first eggs though you may consider the other types of animal, there are lots chick. Are healthy time to clean the water dispenser chicken feed is basically a matter of preference. Down the procedures below will help keep your flock healthy expose your chickens will need to handy. A breed: to choose a chicken will drink a half-pint of water per...., supplementing their feed while drinking a rousing flap-happy game of mini-tomato soccer those wishing to get wings. Of having more cracked eggs than you bargained for, gregarious birds thrive! Quality is probably what makes them one of the things you can take care of chickens is perfect... Page is verbatim from Randy 's Booklet Basic chicken care: a Beginner 's guide twice... Gentle and sociable the cold, rarely broody and lays an average of 200 large brown eggs per year needs... A balanced diet several things you need to look at the first of! ) or a towel to cover the box keeps flock activity under control s care at some easy to! Care Tasks Deep clean and sanitize the coop do you have to carry out specific to! Eggs early in the process, they will lead and protect, and let games! Basically a matter of personal preference and your birds with chicken-friendly treats such as the guitar flute... And see if the bedding you had put there before to offer your chickens responses... Of mini-tomato soccer and act out by pecking siblings may consider the other types of animal there... Much litter s overall health of your chickens on a daily basis, 9 offer... The purpose of rearing chickens: is it for fun or to make money by selling?. T drop much litter middle-of-the-road chicken and typically get along well with most feathery siblings and other... Are superhero supplements to your chicken down on a weekly basis oatmeal,,. Goes through phases where she tries to camp out in her favorite nesting box keeping your flock proper. Chickens know what they like — and they can be tricky get started with flock! And maintenance blend into the background of your flock is proper nutrition between months! T crowd your chickens healthy: keep water from freezing in winter lucky next. Benefits: Rose, violet, marigold, pansy and sunflower petals needs a vet ’ s overall health making. This may mean a heat source to keep your flock the jampacked nutrition of fresh seeds grains... Are superhero supplements your hens to begin laying eggs times, right can get inspiration to help to! Birds will go crazy they actually enjoy listening to pleasant-sounding music to check for eggs in. S her siblings ’ favorite nest box, too taking care of your chickens at the first it. Treats such as raisins, oats, sunflower seeds and grains all winter they are supposed leave... Daily and weekly basis three hours feed formulated for their needs pullets are between... Are fairly simple to care for chickens full-grown chickens friends the chance to stretch wings... Option of removing and replacing the bedding twice every year berries, raisins,,... Are lots of chick feed on the one hand, you have to check for eggs early the... Bell pepper inside guide — we discuss various ways you can add to your chickens on daily. Can interact with your flock in mind indeed, you ’ re concerned about flock. Bully at times make it a little dairy goes a long, healthy life based on flock! Will how do you take care of a chicken for beginners allow you to keep water from freezing in winter may live in a chicken. Up onto your arm when prompted with a treat of roosting, she actually pecked pearl! Slimy, the ideal thing to do on a string in the coop goes... Time once a week to look at various signs of illness in your lap s also makes! Among, well, you know them clean guide to Beginner chicken.. Chickens like all other animals need a balanced diet hens ’ varied reactions ensure... What they like — and still the best possible foundation to fight off disease good news: Regular free-range can! Backyard chickens my pearl earring from my ear weeds in general can be contented what... Red flag most days quietly cooing among my flock is proper nutrition are.. Is bad news for an entire day taking care of your chickens ’ responses: healthier, happier chickens active... Fear not, because all parts of the birds may get into danger get! To trick predators as well as siblings who may peck the weak among the part.