Integrating chickens into your gardening routine can transform your backyard into a thriving, eco-friendly oasis. These natural foragers offer numerous benefits, from pest control to soil health improvement. Here’s how chickens can work wonders for your garden.
Benefits of Chickens in Your Garden
Chickens can be your garden’s best helpers without causing damage to your plants. Here are some key benefits they provide:
1. Natural Pest Control
Chickens have an instinct to forage for insects, happily feasting on bugs that threaten your plants. This chemical-free solution helps manage pests effectively. By eating harmful insects, larvae, and eggs, chickens reduce pest populations and keep your garden healthy, minimizing the need for pesticides.
2. Organic Fertilizer
Chicken manure is a valuable resource, boasting one of the highest N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) ratios among livestock manures. It enhances soil fertility and contains ample calcium, benefiting your plants. When composted, chicken manure can:
- Improve soil moisture retention
- Enhance soil structure
- Promote stronger root development
- Increase disease resistance in plants
- Slowly release essential nutrients into the soil
For tips on composting chicken manure, check out resources like “Composting Chicken Manure.”
3. Soil Aeration
As chickens scratch around for bugs and weed seeds, they naturally aerate the soil. Aerated soil improves water penetration, leading to healthier root growth. Chickens help turn over the top layers of soil, maintaining a healthy soil ecosystem without heavy tilling.
4. Reducing Garden Waste
Chickens are excellent at cleaning up garden scraps. Instead of tossing thinned seedlings, pruned branches, and unwanted weeds, let your chickens forage through the remnants. They’ll eagerly eat:
- Thinned plants
- Pruned clippings and deadheads
- Weeds
- Damaged or overripe fruits and vegetables
In the fall, chickens can save you time by cleaning up remaining produce and fertilizing the soil with their manure, preparing your garden for the next planting season.
5. Weed Control
Weeds can be a constant headache, but chickens are happy to help. They’ll eat almost any plant, including weeds. You can feed your chickens the weeds you pull or let them roam freely to do the weeding for you. Just protect your crops, as chickens might mistake them for weeds too. Most weeds are safe for chickens to consume and can be part of their natural diet.
Common Garden Pests Chickens Love to Eat
Chickens are excellent at controlling a variety of garden pests commonly found in the Maritimes. Here are some of the most common pests they love to eat:
Beetles
Chickens will happily feast on beetles, including Japanese beetles and cucumber beetles. These pests can cause significant damage to your plants, but chickens help keep their populations in check.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars, such as cabbage worms and tomato hornworms, can be devastating to your garden. Chickens will eagerly hunt down and eat these pests, protecting your leafy greens and other crops.
Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers can quickly defoliate plants, but chickens are excellent at catching and eating them. This helps prevent the extensive damage grasshoppers can cause.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are notorious for munching on tender plants, especially in damp conditions. Chickens will seek out and eat these slimy pests, reducing their numbers and protecting your garden.
Aphids
Aphids can weaken plants by sucking sap from their leaves and stems. While chickens may not eat aphids directly, they will consume the ants that farm aphids, indirectly helping to control aphid populations.
Cutworms
Cutworms can sever young plants at the base, causing significant damage. Chickens will dig up and eat these pests, preventing them from harming your seedlings.
Earwigs
Earwigs can be a nuisance in the garden, feeding on seedlings and soft fruits. Chickens will happily eat earwigs, helping to keep their numbers down.
Ants
While ants themselves are not a major threat to plants, they farm aphids and other pests. Chickens will eat ants, disrupting this relationship and helping to control aphid populations.
Moths and Flies
Chickens will also eat moths and flies, including their larvae. This helps reduce the number of pests that can damage your plants.
Ticks
Ticks can be a problem for both humans and animals. Chickens will eat ticks, helping to reduce their numbers and lower the risk of tick-borne diseases.
Crickets
Crickets can cause damage to young plants and seedlings. Chickens will hunt and eat crickets, protecting your garden from these pests.
By allowing chickens to roam your garden, you can naturally reduce the populations of these common pests, leading to healthier plants and a more productive garden. Just remember to protect beneficial insects and your crops from being mistaken for pests!
Conclusion
Integrating chickens into your garden can provide a range of benefits, from natural pest control to enriching your soil with organic fertilizer. Chickens make great gardeners, assisting with aeration, weed removal, and reducing garden waste. Plus, their manure is a potent resource for creating a healthy, fertile environment for your plants.
Egg Collection and Storage: Best Practices for Fresh Eggs
Let’s dive into the essential practices for egg collection and storage to ensure you get the freshest and safest eggs from your flock. Here’s a detailed guide to help you manage your eggs effectively, including tips on what to do with extra eggs.
Egg Collection
Hens typically lay one egg a day, usually in the morning. Depending on the size of your flock, you may need to check for eggs more than once in a 24-hour period. Frequent checks are encouraged to prevent eggs from being accidentally stepped on or soiled.
Steps for Collecting Eggs:
- Timing: Wait until the hen has left the nesting box to collect eggs. Many backyard chicken keepers find that checking right after feeding is an ideal time.
- Handling Broody Hens: If you have a broody hen (one wanting to hatch her eggs), you might encounter some resistance. Wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to protect yourself from pecks. Gently shoo her out of the nest if necessary.
Cleaning Eggs
Eggs are naturally coated with a thin protective layer called a bloom, which helps protect the egg’s pores from bacteria. It’s important not to wash your eggs immediately after collecting them, as washing removes the bloom and makes the egg more vulnerable to bacteria.
Proper Cleaning Method:
- Warm Water: Submerge eggs in clean, warm water (not cold) and gently scrub them with a soft vegetable brush.
- Avoid Cold Water: Cold water can cause the egg to shrink inside the shell, promoting bacterial growth.
- Drying: Dry the eggs with a towel and allow them to air dry before storing them in the fridge.
Egg Storage
Unlike store-bought eggs, your fresh eggs are coming in daily, so it’s important to track when each egg was laid. To ensure you use the oldest eggs first, consider storing your eggs in a dated carton or writing the collection date directly on the eggshell with a pencil.
Storage Tips:
- Unwashed Eggs: If you plan to store eggs unwashed, they can be kept on the counter for a short period. Remember to give them a light scrub just before using.
- Refrigerated Eggs: For longer storage, keep eggs in the fridge. Properly cleaned and dried eggs can last several weeks when refrigerated.
Managing Extra Eggs
If you find yourself with an abundance of eggs, here are some ideas on how to manage and utilize them:
- Preserving Eggs:
- Freezing: Crack the eggs into a bowl, beat them lightly, and pour them into ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers. Once frozen, transfer the egg cubes to a freezer bag for long-term storage.
- Pickling: Hard-boil the eggs and pickle them in a vinegar-based solution for a tasty, long-lasting treat.
- Sharing with Community:
- Sell or Donate: Share your surplus eggs with neighbours, friends, or local food banks. Fresh, homegrown eggs are always appreciated.
- Bartering: Trade your eggs for other goods or services within your community.
- Cooking and Baking:
- Recipes: Use extra eggs in various recipes such as quiches, frittatas, custards, and baked goods. Eggs are versatile and can be incorporated into many dishes.
By following these best practices for egg collection, cleaning, and storage, you can ensure your eggs remain fresh and safe to eat. Additionally, managing extra eggs effectively can help you make the most of your flock’s productivity. Happy egg collecting!
Related Blogs:
How Long are Farm Fresh Eggs Good For
Encouraging Egg Laying
Whether you have a few backyard chickens or a coop full of hens providing eggs to your community, there are several helpful tips to naturally encourage your chickens to lay more eggs.
How Often Do Chickens Lay Eggs?
Typically, a hen will begin laying eggs around 18 to 22 weeks of age. Once they start, hens can lay an egg nearly every day, with most chickens producing about one egg daily. However, the egg creation process takes about 24 to 26 hours. Therefore, hens generally lay about six eggs a week, although egg production tends to slow down during the fall moult and winter months.
What Affects Egg Laying?
To maximize egg production, it’s important to keep your chickens healthy and stress-free. Several factors can influence how often your hens lay:
- Age: Very young hens can naturally have inconsistent laying patterns up until their first year. Egg production typically starts to decrease gradually as hens age, particularly after 2 or 3 years old. However, most hens will continue to lay eggs until they’re between 5 and 8 years old.
- Moulting: Moulting, which happens in the fall, is when hens shed old feathers and grow new ones. During this time, hens will stop laying eggs.
- Less Daylight: As the days get shorter in the winter, hens will naturally slow down or stop laying eggs due to reduced sunlight exposure. For optimal egg production, hens need about 14 hours of light and about 8 hours of darkness each day.
- Not Enough Calcium: Calcium is essential for egg production since eggshells are made almost entirely of calcium. If your hens aren’t getting enough calcium, it can negatively affect both their egg production and overall health.
- Low Protein: A lack of protein can lead to reduced egg laying. In warmer months, hens can forage for insects that provide them with this essential nutrient. But during winter, when the ground is frozen and covered in snow, they can’t get the same amount of natural protein.
- Stress: Stress from illness, injury, or the presence of predators can cause hens to stop laying eggs. Chickens are naturally prey animals and will retreat from egg production when they feel threatened.
- Overall Health: Keeping your chickens free from parasites and diseases is essential for their well-being and their ability to lay eggs regularly.
Natural Ways to Boost Egg Production
If your hens are in their prime laying years (6 months to 3 years old) and you notice a drop in eggs, there are a few natural strategies to try and increase egg production:
- Increase Protein Intake:
- Winter months can be particularly tough for your hens to get enough protein, so try feeding them extra protein-rich foods twice a day. Since it takes about 24 hours to make an egg, adding extra protein after your hens lay an egg can help them start the next cycle of egg-laying more efficiently.
- Provide Calcium:
- Calcium is critical for hens to lay strong eggs. To supplement their diet, keep a container of crushed oyster shells in the coop for free access. You can also save your eggshells, dry them out, and crush them to feed back to your chickens.
- Add Supplemental Light:
- As daylight shortens in the winter, egg production can drop. You can help maintain production by adding a light source to the coop. A chicken heat bulb on a timer to provide at least 14 hours of light a day can encourage your hens to continue laying.
- Maintain a Clean and Safe Coop:
- A clean, stress-free environment is crucial for laying hens. Chickens are naturally wary of predators, so it’s important to secure your coop to prevent any potential threats. Make sure the coop temperature stays between 4-32°C (40-90°F) and provide soft, clean bedding for nesting. A regularly cleaned coop, with fresh bedding added weekly, helps maintain good health and ensures your hens are productive and comfortable.
By following these tips, you can help ensure your hens lay eggs consistently and remain healthy and happy. Happy egg-laying!
Composting Chicken Manure
Composting chicken manure is a fantastic way to recycle waste and create nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden. Not only does it provide essential nutrients for plants, but it also improves soil structure. However, it’s important to compost chicken manure properly to kill harmful bacteria before using it on fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals. Here’s an easy-to-follow guide for small flock
Why Compost Chicken Manure?
Chicken manure is packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—key nutrients that plants need to thrive. When composted correctly, it can significantly boost your garden’s productivity. Plus, composting helps reduce waste and supports sustainable farming practices.
Getting Started
- Collecting Manure and Bedding:
- Gather chicken manure along with bedding materials like straw, wood shavings, or leaves. These materials add carbon to balance the high nitrogen content of the manure.
- Building Your Compost Pile:
- Create a compost pile in a well-ventilated area, away from waterways to prevent potential contamination.
- Alternate layers of manure and bedding with other compostable materials like kitchen scraps and garden waste.
- Aim for a mix of about 30 parts carbon (bedding, leaves) to 1 part nitrogen (manure).
- Maintaining the Right Temperature:
- To kill pathogens and weed seeds, your compost pile needs to reach temperatures between 55°C and 77°C (131°F to 170°F).
- Aerated or contained piles should maintain at least 55°C (131°F) for three days. Regularly turn the pile to ensure even heating.
- Monitoring and Turning:
- Use a compost thermometer to check the temperature regularly.
- Turn the pile every few days to aerate it and maintain consistent temperatures.
- Curing the Compost:
- After the initial high-temperature phase, let the compost cure for several weeks to a few months. This allows the compost to stabilize and mature.
Using Your Compost
- For Food Plants:
- Ensure the compost has reached and maintained the proper temperature to kill any harmful bacteria. If unsure, use the compost on non-edible plants to reduce risks.
- For Ornamentals:
- Even if the compost hasn’t been closely monitored, it can still be safely used on ornamental plants, trees, and shrubs.
Tips for Small Flock Farmers
- Compost Bins:
- Consider using compost bins to keep your pile contained and tidy. This also helps maintain the necessary heat.
- Winter Composting:
- In colder months, insulate your compost pile with straw or a tarp to keep it active.
- Garden Benefits:
- Composting chicken manure not only enriches your soil but also helps retain moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
By following these steps, you can turn chicken manure into a valuable resource for your garden. Happy composting!
Supplements for Chickens
Vitamins are vital to a chicken’s health, supporting growth, egg production, and immunity. Without adequate vitamins, chickens can suffer from malnutrition, reduced egg-laying, and increased vulnerability to diseases. While a balanced feed, like Shur-Gain Homestead Layer Feed, should provide the necessary daily nutrition, certain situations and stressors may require the need for supplements.
When to Supplement Vitamins:
Environmental stressors can lead to vitamin deficiencies, especially when they cause chickens to eat less or disrupt nutrient absorption. Providing vitamin supplements during these times can help prevent these deficiencies. Consider supplementing your flock during the following environmental stressors:
- Molting – During molting, chickens experience natural stress, which can reduce appetite and hinder nutrient absorption.
- Environmental Stress – Factors like heat, cold, transportation, or predator attacks can suppress the immune system. Vitamins help support immune function during stressful times.
- Illness – Sick chickens may eat less, leading to vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin supplements in water can aid recovery.
Why Vitamins Are Important for Chicken Health:
Chickens need a lot of vitamins in small quantities for proper growth, immunity, and reproduction. Vitamins help in essentials roles like bone development, egg production, and disease prevention. Chicks need vitamins for growth, while adult chickens need a steady supply to stay healthy and productive.
Key Functions of Vitamins:
- Strong bones and healthy metabolism
- Immune system support
- Balanced gut health
- Supports healthy metabolism
- Clear eyesight
- Healthy feathers
- Prevents nerve damage & paralysis
- Prevents hemorrhaging
- Essential for proper egg production
The Essential Vitamins for Chickens:
Chickens require two main types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble. During times of stress, chickens typically go to water first, so providing a vitamin supplement in their water can encourage them back on track and eating again to prevent further health issues or deficiencies.
For laying hens, small amounts of crushed oyster shells can support healthy egg production by providing a calcium supplement. Oyster shells should make up no more than 10% of their daily diet. You can offer them on a free-choice basis, allowing hens to eat as much or as little as they need. If you notice that they are consuming more than necessary, remove the bowl after 15-20 minutes to prevent overconsumption.
Fat Soluble Vitamins:
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the chicken’s body fat and used as needed. These vitamins can accumulate and lead to toxicity if consumed in excess, so it’s essential to monitor their intake.
Important fat-soluble vitamins for chickens include:
Vitamin A – Vital for vision, growth, bone development, and immune system support.
Vitamin D – Crucial for calcium absorption, which is needed for strong eggshells and bones. Chickens can naturally produce Vitamin D through sunlight exposure.
Vitamin E – An antioxidant that protects cells and supports immune and reproductive health.
Vitamin K – Essential for proper blood clotting.
Water-Soluble Vitamins:
Water-soluble vitamins aren’t stored in the body, so they must be replenished regularly through diet. These vitamins are less likely to cause toxicity since excess amounts are excreted, but deficiencies can occur if they aren’t consistently supplied.
Important water-soluble vitamins for chickens include:
- Vitamin B Complex – The Vitamin B complex consists of eight vitamins. The B complex is essential for energy metabolism and overall health. The eight B-vitamins include:
- Thiamine (B1): Helps convert nutrients into energy and supports brain and nervous system function.
- Riboflavin (B2): Aids in energy production and B-vitamin synthesis.
- Niacin (B3): Supports energy conversion and cell health.
- Pantothenic Acid (B5): Involved in enzyme production and fat metabolism.
- Pyridoxine (B6): Crucial for protein metabolism, immune function, and brain health.
- Biotin (B7): Promotes healthy feathers, skin, and nails.
- Folate (B9): Supports reproductive health and aids in vitamin and amino acid metabolism.
- B12: Essential for red blood cell production and neurological function.
- Vitamin C: Known for its antioxidant properties, Vitamin C helps reduce stress on the immune system and prevent disease. Chickens can produce Vitamin C naturally from other vitamins in their diet.
Common Vitamin Deficiencies and Symptoms:
Each vitamin is essential for maintaining a chicken’s health, with some vitamins working together while others serve specific roles. A deficiency in any vitamin can lead to symptoms related to its unique function in the chicken’s overall well-being.
- Skin & Feathers: Thiamine and biotin are two vitamins that help a chicken maintain healthy feathers and skin. Deficiencies in these B-vitamins can lead to increase in feather pecking, feather loss, and feather eating.
- Immune System Support: A lack of Vitamins A, E, and B6 can weaken a chicken’s immune system.
- Bone & Skeletal Health: Vitamins D, A, and B help support bone growth and calcium metabolism. Chicks especially need these vitamins as bone development is occurring more rapidly as they grow.
- Egg Production: Vitamin D, E, and Folate play an important role in reproductive health and egg production in hens. A lack of these Vitamins can cause a decrease in laying or an increase in laying related ailments like egg binding.
Recommended Supplement Line:
At Feeds’n Needs, we recommend Chick’N Swell™ supplements, which are 100% natural, safe to use every day and veterinarian approved. This line of chicken supplements offers natural essential oil products specifically developed for the maintenance of overall chicken health.
Chick’N Swell™ Benefits:
- Moisturizes and helps maintain overall health
- Supports immunity
- Contributes to eggshell quality
- Supports digestive health
Conclusion
Vitamins are essential for your chickens’ health, supporting everything from egg production to immune function. Ensure a balanced diet and use supplements when necessary to keep your flock happy, healthy and productive!
Grit & Oyster Shells: Essential to Your Chickens
Though both grit and oyster shell are essential for chickens, they serve distinct purposes and are not interchangeable. Here’s a breakdown of the unique roles each plays in your chickens’ health.
Grit
Purpose: Chickens don’t have teeth, so they rely on their gizzard to break down food.
How It Works:
- After food is swallowed, it passes into the crop, a storage compartment in the esophagus, where it can sit for up to 12 hours.
- From the crop, the food slowly moves to the gizzard, which functions as the digestive grinder.
- To aid this process, chickens consume grit—small pieces of rock and sand—which sit in the gizzard.
- As the gizzard muscles grind, the grit helps break the food into smaller, digestible particles.
Maintenance:
- As the grit wears down, it’s expelled, so chickens need a constant supply to maintain proper digestion.
- Without sufficient grit, chickens can experience digestive issues, such as nutritional deficiencies or intestinal blockages, which may require veterinary treatment.
Providing Grit:
- If you can’t let your chickens roam and forage for grit, you’ll need to provide it yourself.
- A separate grit dispenser allows chickens to eat as much or as little as they need.
- Be sure to choose the appropriate size grit—too small a size will pass through the chicken’s system without aiding digestion.
For Chicks:
- Chicks don’t require grit when they are fed a finely ground starter feed.
- Once they begin eating treats, oats, or fresh produce, you should provide them with chick grit.
- For chicks under 10 weeks old, use specially formulated, smaller grit to fit their developing gizzards.
Oyster Shell
Purpose: Oyster shell is a natural source of calcium carbonate, which is crucial for laying hens to produce strong eggshells.
How It Works:
- Chickens need more calcium than what’s typically found in layer feed, as they use calcium daily to form eggshells.
- A lack of calcium can cause hens to leach calcium from their bones, leading to weakened bones and deformities.
- Without adequate calcium, chickens may also lay soft-shelled or shell-less eggs.
Additional Benefits:
- Calcium helps with the muscle contractions in the hen’s oviduct that push eggs out.
- Insufficient calcium can lead to egg-binding, a serious condition where an egg gets stuck in the oviduct, potentially causing life-threatening complications if the egg breaks.
Providing Oyster Shell:
- Like grit, oyster shell should be provided on a free-choice basis, allowing hens to consume as much or as little as they need.
- This approach also saves money because non-laying chickens won’t consume the calcium.
- Overfeeding calcium can lead to kidney problems, so it’s important to monitor intake and only provide it to laying hens.
Conclusion
While both grit and oyster shell are vital for your chickens’ health, they serve different roles. Grit is essential for digestion, while oyster shell supports the formation of strong eggshells and overall bone health. Ensure you provide each in the right quantities and forms for your flock’s needs.
Free-Ranging Your Hens
Free-ranging is a natural instinct for chickens, and they thrive when they have the space to roam and forage. However, as with anything, free-ranging comes with both pros and cons.
Pros of Free-Ranging Chickens:
- They Eat Less Feed When chickens have the freedom to roam, they forage for a variety of food, from grass and weeds to bugs and small critters. This means they’ll rely less on the feed you provide, which can help save on feed costs.
- Less Need for Grit Chickens need grit to help break down their food, as they don’t have teeth. When free-ranging, they naturally pick up sand, small rocks, and pebbles as they go about their day. This reduces the need to purchase grit for them.
- Insect Control Chickens are natural pest controllers. They love to snack on bugs, and they’ll even scratch through manure, eating fly larvae, which helps keep unwanted pests at bay.
- Control of Other Pests Chickens love to hunt. Given the opportunity, chickens will keep all kinds of unwanted pests away from your property.
- Healthier Roaming freely keeps chickens active and fit. They get plenty of exercise, which contributes to better overall health. Additionally, by being outside, they’re exposed to less crowding, which lowers their risk of illnesses that can spread in a confined coop.
- Less Space Required in the Coop Chickens that are free-ranging don’t require as much space in the coop. Since they’ll spend most of their day outside, you don’t need to provide the standard 4 square feet per bird inside the coop. They only need space for sleeping, eating, and laying eggs, so a little less room can suffice. Most birds prefer 1-2 feet of roosting space.
- Natural Shade When chickens free-range, they’ll seek out shaded spots like bushes or trees, where they can relax during hot summer days. If they’re in a coop full-time, make sure the run and coop have shaded areas to keep them cool.
Cons of Free-Ranging Chickens:
- Predators Chickens are vulnerable to predators, both during the day and at night. At night, they are targets for raccoons, weasels, foxes, coyotes, and even bears. During the day, hawks, eagles, and even domestic dogs can pose a threat, so it’s essential to ensure they’re safe from roaming pets and wild animals.
- Egg Hunting When chickens are free to roam, they tend to lay eggs in unexpected places. You may find eggs scattered all over the yard, making it harder to collect them. Consider placing fake eggs in desirable nesting spots to encourage hens to lay in specific areas.
- Eating Unwanted Plants Chickens will happily munch on whatever plants they can find, and if they get into your garden, they may snack on your vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Consider fencing off your garden to protect your plants from hungry hens.
- Scratching Up Landscaped Areas Chickens love to scratch, and unfortunately, this can mean scratched-up flower beds, mulched areas, and freshly planted gardens. If you’re proud of your landscaping, free-ranging may not be the best choice without some protective measures in place.
- Manure Mess Chickens will poop wherever they please, which can lead to stepping in manure.
- Noise When Returning to the Coop Chickens that are used to free-ranging often resist being locked up at night, and they’ll let you know by making noise. If you have neighbours nearby, this can become a bit of an issue, so be prepared for some clucking complaints.
- Risk of Eating Harmful Substances When chickens are free-ranging, they may pick up things that aren’t safe for them to eat. If you use pest control chemicals, weed killers, or fertilizers in your yard, there’s a risk that these substances could be ingested, potentially affecting your chickens’ health and even contaminating their eggs.
Weigh the pros and cons carefully to determine if free-ranging is the right choice for your flock—and if so, take precautions to keep them safe, healthy, and happy.
Chicken Wellness Best Practices
Effective chicken management can have a lasting impact on their health and lifespan. By following a few key wellness best practices, you can ensure that your flock remains healthy and protected throughout their lives. Here are some essential guidelines to consider as a responsible chicken owner:
- Provide the Right Feed Chickens’ nutritional needs vary depending on their stage of development. Newly hatched chicks up to nine weeks old require starter feed. Chickens between nine and 18 weeks should be fed a grower/finisher feed. Hens should switch to a layer feed once they reach 18 weeks of age or when they start laying eggs. Layer feed contains calcium, which is essential for eggshell production but can be harmful to younger chickens. To meet their calcium needs, laying hens should always have free access to oyster shells, which dissolve slowly and safely.
- Limit Treats While treats can be a fun addition to your chickens’ diet, they should be given in moderation. Excessive treats—regardless of how healthy they are—can lead to a number of health issues, including obesity, reduced egg production, malformed eggs, and more serious conditions like fatty liver syndrome and heart problems. Commercially formulated chicken feed is designed to provide the right balance of nutrients, so treats should never make up more than 5% of their daily diet.
- Ensure Clean Water Fresh, clean water should always be available to your chickens. Dehydration can lead to various health problems, so it’s essential that they have constant access to water that is free from contaminants.
- Keep the Coop Clean A clean and dry coop is vital for your chickens’ health. Chickens have sensitive respiratory systems, which can be easily compromised by mold and ammonia from droppings. A clean environment not only protects them from respiratory issues but also helps reduce the risk of external parasites like mites and lice.
- Provide a Safe Roosting Area Chickens need a secure, enclosed space to sleep at night. A safe, sheltered area protects them from predators and the elements. Providing a roosting perch is beneficial because it allows chickens to feel secure, stay warmer in cooler weather, and maintain better hygiene by keeping them off the ground.
- Maintain Dry Litter A wet environment created by damp bedding or spilled water encourages the growth of harmful organisms like coccidia, which can cause coccidiosis—a potentially deadly intestinal disease. To maintain a dry and healthy environment, make sure to:
- Remove droppings daily
- Avoid placing food or water inside the coop
- Use sand for bedding and as ground cover in the run
- Monitor Droppings Chickens’ droppings can provide valuable insight into their health. Regularly observing their droppings will help you spot any abnormalities, which can often be the first sign of illness. Knowing what’s normal and what’s not will help you take action early if needed.
- Break up Broody Hens A broody hen is one that wants to sit on eggs to hatch chicks, whether or not the eggs are fertile. During this time, a broody hen will neglect her own health—eating, drinking, and resting only briefly. While this behavior is natural, prolonged periods of broodiness can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, and vulnerability to parasites. If you don’t intend for her to hatch chicks, it’s important to break her broodiness as soon as possible to prevent these health risks.
- Practice Good Biosecurity Biosecurity refers to practices that protect your chickens from infectious diseases. These pathogens can be carried by a variety of sources, including people, animals, equipment, and even wildlife. To minimize the risk of disease, limit access to your chicken yard from high-risk areas such as other poultry yards, swaps, shows, and feed stores. Always be mindful of how diseases can spread and take steps to prevent them.
By incorporating these best practices, you can help ensure the health and well-being of your chickens throughout their lives.
Sources:
10+ Tips for Healthy Chickens | The Chicken Chick®
Best Practices to Keep Your Chickens Healthy – Homestead Hustle
Reducing Noise in Backyard Flocks
Managing noise in backyard flocks is essential for maintaining good relationships with your neighbors and ensuring a peaceful environment. Here are some effective strategies to help reduce noise in your backyard flock:
1. Choose Quiet Breeds
Some chicken breeds are naturally quieter than others. Research breeds known for their calm and quiet demeanor.
2. Limit Roosters
Roosters are often the primary source of noise in a flock. If noise is a concern, consider:
- Keeping only hens: Hens are generally quieter and still provide eggs.
3. Proper Coop Design
The design and location of your coop can significantly impact noise levels:
- Soundproofing: Use materials like insulation or soundproof panels to reduce noise escaping from the coop.
- Location: Place the coop away from neighbors’ homes and common areas to minimize disturbance.
4. Routine and Environment
Establishing a routine and providing a comfortable environment can help keep your chickens calm and quiet:
- Consistent feeding schedule: Chickens are less likely to make noise if they know when to expect food.
- Enrichment activities: Provide toys, perches, and dust baths to keep chickens occupied and reduce boredom-related noise.
5. Addressing Health Issues
Healthy chickens are generally quieter. Regular health checks can help identify and address any issues that may cause distress and noise:
- Veterinary care: Regular check-ups can prevent and treat illnesses that might cause chickens to be noisy.
- Clean living conditions: A clean coop reduces stress and promotes overall well-being.
By implementing these tips, you can reduce noise in your backyard flock, creating a more harmonious environment.
Reducing Odour in Backyard Flocks
Managing odour in backyard flocks is essential for maintaining a pleasant environment for you, your chickens, and your neighbors. Here are some ways to help reduce odour in your backyard flock:
Regular Cleaning
One of the best ways to manage odour is through regular cleaning of the coop. This includes:
- Daily removal of droppings: This prevents the buildup of ammonia, which is a primary source of odour.
- Weekly deep cleaning: Remove all bedding, scrub surfaces with a mild disinfectant or Virkon (found at your local Feeds’n Needs store), allow to dry completely, and replace with fresh bedding.
2. Proper Ventilation
Ensuring proper ventilation in the coop helps to reduce moisture and ammonia levels. This can be achieved by:
- Installing vents: Place vents at the top of the coop to allow hot air and ammonia to escape.
- Using fans: In larger coops, fans can help to circulate air and reduce odour.
3. Use of Odour Control Products
There are several products available that can help to control odour in the coop:
- Diatomaceous earth: This natural product found at Feeds’n Needs helps to absorb moisture and reduce odour.
- Fresh Coop: Fresh Coop found at Feeds’n Needs neutralizes and eliminates odour-causing bacteria and absorbs moisture. Sprinkle on fresh bedding or wet areas while removing droppings and soiled litter.
4. Proper Waste Management
Effective waste management practices can significantly reduce odour:
- Composting: Composting chicken waste can help to reduce odour and produce valuable fertilizer for your garden.
- Frequent removal: Regularly remove waste from the coop and surrounding areas to prevent odour buildup.
5. Diet and Health
The diet and health of your chickens can also impact odour levels:
- Balanced diet: Ensure your chickens are receiving a balanced diet to reduce the risk of digestive issues that can cause odour.
- Limit Treats: Certain treats like fruits and vegetables can add moisture to droppings increasing odour if not managed properly. Dry treats like mealworms, grains and seeds are less likely to cause odour issues.
- Health checks: Regular health checks can help to identify and address any health issues that may contribute to odour.
By implementing these tips, you can better manage and reduce odour in your backyard flock, creating a healthier and more pleasant environment for all.
