Healthy droppings will be firm and grayish brown, with white urine salts. Chickens that are healthy and active will also talk and sing quietly throughout the day.Īs far as laying and eating habits, each chicken is different, so monitor each chicken to get a feel for her normal production and consumption. They will be moving around - pecking, scratching and dusting - except on hot days when they will find shade. Healthy birds will be active and alert with bright eyes. The coop and pen should be cleaned out weekly to maintain sanitation and odor control. They need to be let out of the coop each morning and put into the coop at dusk each night to protect them from predators. Daily careĬhickens need to be fed and water changed daily. The space should be free of unnecessary objects like woodpiles or equipment, as they attract predators. Ensure that the coop is free of small holes for predators to sneak in. An enclosed space for chickens to stay at night is essential to their protection. Their main predators are raccoons, rats, owls, hawks and cats. There are many books and websites with coop designs.Įxample of simple coop design for up to 16 hens from Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens Predators Find a design that provides easy access and otherwise suits your situation. There is an endless variety of coop designs with just as much range in cost.
Be sure to have a minimum of 3 to 5 square feet per bird, including outdoor space. There should be a well-insulated area with a light bulb or heat lamp for the winter months as well as ventilation for fresh air. Chickens are descended from jungle birds, which means they like to be up high, so a place for them to roost is important. Layers need nest boxes - one per 4 to 5 birds. HousingĪ quality coop is essential to backyard chicken production. Coops must provide protection from the weather and predators. This is especially true in the summer as they cool themselves by panting. A critical part of a chicken's diet is continual access to clean, fresh water. Scratch-cracked corn and oats are a nice treat for the chickens that does not supply all their nutritional needs but is fine in moderation.įeed consumption may increase in the winter when they burn more calories, and it may decrease in the heat of the summer.
They love fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen and garden as well as bread. A 6-pound hen will eat roughly 3 pounds of feed each week. A healthy laying hen diet should also contain crushed oyster shell for egg production and grit for digestion. Chickens should typically be fed a prepared feed that is balanced for vitamins, minerals and protein.
They eat grains, fruits, vegetables and insects. Quality feed and clean water will help keep birds healthy and productive DietĬhickens are omnivores.
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