Chicken Care Tips: Everything You Need To Know About Your Pet Chicken

Chicken Living Space Maintenance and Cleaning

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Regular Cleaning:

• Daily Checks: Inspect the coop and run for any signs of waste build-up or mold. Remove visible waste.

• Weekly Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the coop and run once a week. This involves removing all bedding, scrubbing surfaces with a mild detergent, and disinfecting with a safe, poultry-friendly cleaner.

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Choosing Bedding for Your Chickens:

• Bedding Types: Use absorbent materials like hay or shredded paper.

• Avoid using sawdust or highly aromatic materials that can cause respiratory issues.

• Replacing Bedding: Change bedding regularly to prevent ammonia build-up. In high-traffic areas, replace bedding more frequently to maintain hygiene.

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Coop Repairs and Maintenance:

• Inspect for Damage: Regularly check the coop for signs of wear and tear. Repair any broken parts to ensure a secure and safe environment.

• Pest Control: Address any pest issues promptly. Regularly inspect for mites, lice, and rodents, and take preventive measures to keep pests at bay.

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Health and Safety:

• Disease Prevention: Maintain a clean environment to prevent the spread of diseases. Isolate any sick chickens at the first sign of illness to prevent contamination. Be sure to call your avian vet right away to start treatment.

• Safety Checks: Ensure the coop is free from sharp objects and hazards that could injure the chickens.

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Seasonal Considerations:

• Winter Care: Insulate the coop and ensure it remains dry to protect chickens from cold temperatures. Use materials like foam board to cover walls and ceilings. You can also use straw or hay for additional insulation. If temperatures drop significantly, you might use a heat lamp or a safe, chicken-friendly heater. Be cautious with heat lamps, as they can be a fire hazard; make sure they are securely mounted and away from flammable materials.

• Summer Care: Provide shade and ensure the coop is well-ventilated to prevent overheating. Installing fans can also improve airflow and prevent overheating. Be sure there are shaded areas inside and outside the coop; use tarps or natural cover like trees. Keep water fresh and cool, and consider adding ice cubes or a shallow pan of water for cooling. Monitor for signs of heat stress, such as panting or lethargy, and act quickly to provide relief if needed.

Chicken Behavior

Chickens are surprisingly complex and entertaining creatures with a variety of intriguing characteristics. Understanding the normal behaviors of chickens is important for ensuring their well-being. As with any pet, behaviors can be individual. The longer you have your pet chickens, the better you’ll get to know them. Watch out for dramatic changes in behavior, which can indicate illness or distress.

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Here’s a breakdown of several important chicken behaviors to be abreast of:

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Pecking Order: The pecking order is a social hierarchy that determines the ranking within a flock. Dominant birds establish their status through pecks and postures, securing the best spots and first access to food, while others follow suit to maintain harmony.

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Preening: Preening is a vital grooming practice where chickens use their beaks to clean and arrange their feathers. This activity helps maintain feather health, ensures insulation, and removes parasites. Chickens will often preen multiple times a day, which is vital for their overall health and comfort.

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Foraging: Foraging is instinctive in chickens  involving the search for food through pecking and scratching at the ground. Chickens are omnivores and enjoy finding insects, seeds, and plants. This behavior not only fulfills their dietary needs but also provides mental stimulation and physical exercise, mimicking their natural wild instincts.

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Nesting: Nesting is crucial for egg-laying hens. Chickens seek out secluded and comfortable spots to lay their eggs. Providing proper nesting boxes that are clean and lined with soft bedding encourages hens to lay eggs in designated areas.

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Dust Bathing: Dust bathing is where chickens roll and flap in dust or loose soil. This activity helps remove excess oils and parasites from their feathers, keeping them clean and preventing feather damage. Dust bathing also helps regulate body temperature and provides a source of natural comfort.

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Perching: Perching is a natural response to dusk, where chickens habitually move to elevated spaces to rest for the night. This provides them with a sense of security and protection from ground predators.

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These behaviors are fundamental to understanding and caring for chickens in any flock, helping to ensure they remain fit, happy, and productive.

Chicken Diet & Nutrition

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What Do Chickens Need to Eat?

Like all animals, chickens have specific nutritional needs to stay happy and healthy. Here's what they require:

Protein: Essential for muscle growth and overall health, especially for laying hens. Protein loss from egg laying can be replenished by adding soybeans to their diet, or allowing them to consume their own eggs. Free-range chickens also enjoy insects and worms, which provide a protein boost and entertainment.

Grains: Include small, hard seeds like oats, corn, or wheat. These provide Vitamin B, Vitamin E, phosphorus, and additional protein if whole grains are used. Scatter whole grain chicken scratch for food and enrichment, but limit scratch grains to 10% of their diet. Avoid moldy grains as they can be fatal.

Greens: Offer vitamins and calcium. Let chickens graze on untreated grass or feed them greens and scraps. Avoid known toxic plants.

Insoluble Grit: Necessary for digestion. Free-range chickens find their own, but confined chickens need supplemental grit monthly. Ensure grit size is appropriate: small stones or sand for chicks, larger grit for adults. Provide a bucket of grit for free access. Overconsumption can occur in some breeds, so monitor their intake.

Calcium and Vitamin A: Monitor eggshell quality to detect deficiencies. Laying hens need up to three times more calcium than non-laying hens. Supplement with sources like black oil sunflower seeds if necessary.

Vitamin D: Produced through sunlight exposure. In areas with limited sunlight, provide Vitamin D3 supplements. Kelp is a good natural source. A deficiency can lead to weak bones and eggshells.

Water: Provide fresh, clean water daily, ideally in or near their coop. Use a poultry fountain to maintain cleanliness and prevent waste. In winter, use a barn-safe water heater to prevent freezing.

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What Is Toxic to Chickens?

Certain foods have toxins or substances that chickens can't digest, such as avocados, salty or moldy foods, raw beans and green potatoes. You can find a complete list of potentially toxic foods here.

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How to Spoil Your Chicken: Appropriate Chicken Treats

Occasional treats are a great way to keep your flock happy and can also motivate them to move to specific areas. Here are some good treat options:

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• Fruit and vegetables (but avoid any that are toxic, moldy, or rotten)

• Oatmeal and scratch grains like cracked corn, in moderation

• Fresh tomato, cut lettuce and kale, cut apple, toast bits, and certain seeds

• Warmed (not hot) frozen corn

• Cabbage, kale, or lettuce heads hung on a string for entertainment

• Butternut squash and brown rice, cooked and mashed together as a special treat

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Remember, treats should complement your chickens’ main diet, not replace it!

What Medical Care Does My Pet Chicken Need?

When Does Your Pet Chicken Need a Checkup?

Routine checkups for pet chickens are crucial to maintaining their health and catching potential issues early. Chickens should ideally have a checkup at least once a year by a qualified avian veterinarian. However, there are specific instances when a checkup should not be delayed. If you notice significant changes in behavior, eating, or drinking patterns, or if the chicken exhibits signs of distress such as continuous coughing, sneezing, or labored breathing, immediate veterinary attention is necessary. Additionally, any physical injuries, persistent lameness, or unexplained weight loss warrant a prompt visit to the vet.

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Common Chicken Health Concerns

Chickens are susceptible to a range of issues that can impact their well-being. Common concerns include respiratory infections, which often present as coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Parasitic infestations, such as mites and lice, are another prevalent issue, leading to feather loss, itching, and skin irritation. Additionally, digestive problems like impacted crop or sour crop can occur, causing the chicken to appear lethargic and uninterested in food. Egg-laying hens may also suffer from reproductive issues like egg binding or prolapse. Regular implants can help prevent your pet chicken from laying eggs to reduce the risk of egg binding and reproductive issues. Maintaining a clean living environment, providing a balanced diet, and conducting regular health checks are essential practices to mitigate these concerns and promote a strong flock.

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How Can You Tell If Your Chicken Is Sick?

Identifying a sick chicken requires careful observation of its daily behavior and physical condition. Chickens often mask their illnesses until they are quite severe, making it important for caretakers to pay close attention. Key indicators of a sick chicken include changes in appetite and drinking habits, lethargy, and altered vocalizations. Physical signs such as drooping wings, disheveled feathers, and abnormal droppings are also red flags. Additionally, look for symptoms like swelling around the eyes, beak, or legs, and any unusual discharges from the nostrils or eyes. Consistently monitoring these aspects can help in early detection and timely intervention, potentially saving the chicken's life.

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Have Questions About Chicken Care?

Here at LIBEVC, we treat chickens and other birds on a daily basis. If you have any questions about the health of your pet chicken or how to care for them, please give us a call.

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