A Basic Guide to Keeping Chickens

Here is a basic guide to keeping chickens. I have been keeping chickens for 5 years. I started with three until last spring where we had three chicks who are now big and strong and have been sold on. When I started I struggled to find a basic guide.

So here is a step-by step guide to keeping chickens.

1. Decide what kind of chickens you want. There are many different breeds. Here's a site with detailed information about the breeds http://www.poultrypages.com/chicken-breeds.html.

I personally chose the smaller variety of chicken as they are easier to handle and only require a small space.

It is not advised to keep bigger and smaller breeds together as bullying could end in tears.

When buying from a breeder check the conditions the chickens have been kept in. I would also suggest buying hybrids as they are just as pretty but are more hardy to disease. You are now also able to buy ex-battery chickens so that could be worth while to give them a better life.

2. When you have chosen your breed and the number of chickens you want you must choose a suitable cage. These can be purchased from a local pet shop or the breeders sometime sell them. They also can be found on the internet but you have to assemble them yourselves.

When looking for one make sure they have a perch as well as spacious nesting boxes.

3. Once you have brought a hen house you must think of a suitable location to put it. Make sure they have grass to scratch in or soil will do - concrete is not recommended. Also put the hen house on slates around - this stops foxes digging under or rats chewing into it. Make sure the sight doesn't flood easily.

Fill the bedding area sawdust and in winter you may want to add straw. I usually put straw in the nesting box as my hen prefers it. But you can just use sawdust.

4. Next you will need a water feeder and a normal feeder. This can also be purchased at a pet shop.
You usually put the water outside and the feeder inside as they usually knock over the water. You can also hang the water from the top of the cage to stop them knocking it over.

5. Now for what do they eat? They eat all sorts: grit, grass you name it they eat it. You don't need to provide all this as they will eat however much they need. But you will need to provide chicken feed which can usually be brought at a pet shop. This usually consists of maize and corn.

You should also let them out in your garden to get the grit and grass. If you like your garden intact let them out a hour before it goes dark as they will go back in their hen house once it gets dark.

We also barricade our prize plants with holly bushes around them.

6. You should lock them in at night to prevent the fox coming in and let them into the run in the daytime and check their food and water atleast once a day. Finally they will need to be cleaning out but not regularly you can tell when you open the lid and go 'OH GOD' with the smell.

If you do not clean them out this can lead to them having nits and lace.

7. Enjoy having them they are clever birds and full of character.

FAQ: Are roosters dangerous? No if you don't act aggressive towards them then they wouldn't be aggressive to you. There are of course some odd balls that can be aggressive but it is normally at the other hens. If you find this separation could be a option.

Should we clip their wings? We have never clipped ours wings - this doesn't mean you shouldn't. We have found that ours will return back to the hen house no matter where they go but it might be different if you don't have a confided garden. If you are going to clip them either ask a expert of read up on it first as you can cause some damage if you do it wrong.