Keeping chickens

19/01/2023

03/01/2023

This is one of my favorite ways to keep the chickens happy and grazing without setting them free in the yard. If you are raising urban backyard chickens, you may not feel safe letting them roam free. Instead, built a little wire and wood frame to go over grass and sprouts you've planted in their coop. They can get the grass easily, but the frame and wire keep the roots protected so they will continue growing.

03/01/2023

One problem you may find is if a chicken tastes a broken egg, they may end up getting a taste for them and eat their own eggs. One of the best ways to discourage them from doing this is to add golf balls to their nests so they will peck at that and be discouraged from pecking at and eating the real eggs.

03/01/2023

One of the biggest benefits of feeding chickens eggshells is that it helps increase their calcium intake which helps them produce more eggs. Save those shells, then dry them and bake them on low heat for 20-30 minutes. You don't want to burn them but dry them out completely. You can crush them and add into their food mix, or grind them and mix them into a food block.

03/01/2023

One hack I noticed in this video was that this owner covered his coop with a reflective tarp. One side helps hold the heat in the coop in winter, and when flipped over to the other side, it reflects the sun off and keeps it cooler in the summer. What a great idea!

03/01/2023

One of my favorite additions to the chicken coop is what many refer to as a flock block. This is a block of food or treats that is hanging or sitting in a tray for the chickens to peck at and dig for food. They can be frozen or simply a big blog with a peanut butter base similar to suet. These are great for keeping them moving and busy in the winter months especially.

06/12/2022

Our hens free range on a daily basis and find plenty of natural grit on our property. However, if your hens are confined to a run or coop, you must provide the grit. You can spread it throughout your run or put it in a feeder.

06/12/2022

Furthermore, chickens confined to a coop or run need access to grit. As chickens can’t break down their food on their own, they rely on grit — or small pieces of rock and stone — to break down their food in their gizzard.

06/12/2022

Laying hens also need access to a source of calcium to maintain healthy bones and lay eggs with strong shells. You should give your hens crushed oyster shells on a regular basis.

06/12/2022

Chickens need consistent access to clean drinking water. We keep our poultry drinker in the run, which the hens can access at all times. If you live in a cold climate, you’ll need to invest in a heated poultry drinker to keep the water from freezing in the winter.

06/12/2022

We use Scratch and Peck feed for our chicks, pullets, and hens. Chickens have different nutrient needs depending on their age, so make sure you purchase the appropriate feed. We throw our feed on the ground, but you can purchase a poultry feeder if you prefer.

17/11/2022

Do you have ample space and a safe environment?
You must be willing to provide a safe environment for your hens with space for them to roam around and partake in natural behaviors like scratching and dust bathing (more on that later).

You’ll also need funds for a coop, feed, and numerous other supplies.