Growing Guides How to keep chickens

Date Published:

31/01/2008

A 'balanced' chicken feed, either in pellet or mash form, will contain all the minerals, calcium and protein your birds need.

Treats

If you want to give them an occasional treat, avoid any salty, sugary or fatty foods which can play havoc with their stomach and their health overall - and stick to wheat.

This also provides you with the chance to add a little cod liver oil to their diet - just mix in a very small amount with the wheat to help the birds to feather and keep them in general good health. A supply of grit is also essential as it helps hens break down and digest their food.

You should provide chickens with a constant supply of clean water - a poultry font drinker (available from any stockist of chicken keeping supplies) will help keep the contents fresh. Water should be changed on a daily basis and kept outside the poultry shed - but under cover to avoid wild bird droppings. Drinkers which are used inside can cause damp inside the unit which is a health hazard for yourself and the birds.

General care

Chickens are no different to other pets and will need to be looked after. Leaving them in damp and drafty accommodation will only end with a variety of poultry-related problems. Clean the house on a regular basis and use dry, dust-free wood shavings for the bedding; try not to use straw or hay as it can quickly become damp underneath and go mouldy.

Clean ground is also very important – any area that the birds are running on can soon become spoiled. Moving the house and run or providing the chickens with a different outside space is one way of stopping this from happening.