Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions we are asked most often!
Looking after your chickens
To help you keep your chickens happy and healthy we have produced this frequently asked questions sheet. If you should have any further questions, do not hesitate to give us a call or send us an e-mail.
- Where should my chickens be kept?
- Your chickens should be kept anywhere where they have sufficient room to run around with access to their house. The area should be moved around to rest each area periodically. The area should have secure fencing to avoid foxes taking them during the day if nobody is around. You should be able to be shut the house up at night to keep the chickens safe from foxes and other predators. The house should contain a perch and nestboxes containing fresh straw (one box for every three hens). The whole house should be disinfected regularly.
- What should I feed my chickens on?
- Feed your chickens on the specially prepared pellets available from any feed store. Feed twice a day as much as they clear up in 20 minutes. Watch out for rat infestations if food is left around. Corn can also be fed but only in the evening as otherwise the chickens may not lay as well.
- What other facts should I bear in mind when keeping my chickens?
- Chickens naturally live in large groups, so will need a companion. You do not need to keep a cockerel (male) unless you want fertile eggs as they will lay eggs happily without one present. Cockerels are also noisy and this must be considered if you have close neighbours and will fight if you have more than one in a confined space. Having said that they do look nice and will keep an eye on the hens, breaking up any fights and keeping watch for predators. Watch out for lice and mite infestations on the birds and in the house. Dusting the birds with mite powder available from your vet will do the trick. Disinfecting the house will also help.
- How long will my chickens live?
- Assuming they are well looked after, chickens will live eight years or more and will reward you with years of fun. However they lay best in their first three years. After this egg production will tend to decline. Beware of introducing fresh birds though as chickens tend to bully newcomers. Introducing after dark may help and giving the birds plenty of room with extra feeders.