Keeping free range chickens in your backyard can be a lot of fun. The eggs will be fresh and taste delicious. If you want to keep the birds as pets (and many people do) you might not want to consider them as potential Sunday dinner, but it is an attractive option for some poultry keepers.
None of this can be done without looking after your chickens properly. Here, briefly, are the most important steps you must take to keep your free range hens healthy, safe and content.
Step 1, decide on the breed. It is very important to get the right birds for your particular location and circumstances. Susceptible to hot or cold climates, boiler or layer, hobby or business – there are many aspects you need to consider carefully at the outset. You will find local chicken farmers and suppliers very helpful.
Step 2, select the right number of birds. Your hens will need sufficient room to exercise, forage and nest comfortably. Plan on about one square meter or 10 square feet for each bird. This will govern the maximum number of chickens you should plan on getting, based on the available space you have. For social reasons (the chickens, not you!) three is considered the minimum number of hens for a flock.
Step 3, decide how much time you will have available. Your chickens will need you to allocate daily periods for feeding, cleaning, watering and other tasks such as inspection of perimeter fencing. Spend at least 15 minutes per day with your hens – they will love your company.
Step 4, build accommodation. Poultry must have places to roost, nest and forage safely. You should provide fresh water and shelter from hot sunshine. A good chicken coop will have easy access for cleaning and a way to collect eggs without disturbing the hens too much.
Step 5, provide protection. Safety from predators is paramount and there is a wide range of these including cats and dogs, rats, wild animals, birds of prey, even snakes. Do not underestimate the ability of predators to gain access to your hens through or under fences over time. The coop and hen run must be safe and secure from all such predators. The chicken run will need a top as well, if there are birds of prey around or the run is close to trees – to prevent your chickens taking flight!
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Step 6, consider health precautions. There are quite a few diseases that can affect hens, and you need to check out those that are common in your locality. Talk to vets, other chicken keepers and online forums – you will find the hen-keeping community very supportive.
Step 7, identify applicable regulations. You must know and comply with all applicable laws for keeping hens in your locality, although these are seldom very demanding. Go to your local town hall, government offices or planning department for guidance.
Step 8, provide a good diet. Hens need protein, grains, greens and water. A good protein diet is important, and your local feed store will be able to advise on this. You might need to include protein supplements and grit in the hen food, but most likely free range hens will get enough from their own foraging. Fresh, clean water must be available at all times. If you are going to be away you might need to fit automatic water dispensers for the chickens. The rest of your hens’ diet should be met by foraging around their pen area.
Step 9, consider weather and climate. Most chicken varieties are fairly tolerant of harsh climactic conditions, provided that you give them access to shade when the sun is overhead. They do need to keep their feet dry, however.
Step 10, consider your local environment. Usually keeping chickens is viewed as a good thing, so you should not encounter significant problems here. It is sensible to involve your neighbors, who may be concerned about noise (hens are quiet, cocks or roosters are not!) and mess (hens in small quantities are very clean). They might like the thought of a supply of free range eggs on their doorstep!
You will note that none of these vital steps is anything other than common sense. If you follow them you will have happy, healthy hens. One final thought – each happy hen should give you 6 fresh eggs each week throughout the spring and summer months!
Please visit us if you would like more information about keeping hens, such as how to build a chicken coop and where to get the best chicken house plans. Good luck with your birds – we know you will enjoy them!
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