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Caring for chickens

  • Shall I buy Chicks or Chickens?
    It’s exciting for children and adults to incubate eggs, hatch their own or buy very young chicks. The disadvantage is you get cockerels which are noisy. We would recommend Point of Lay (16-18 weeks old.)
  • What is healthy?
    A clean environment, clear bright eyes, clean nostrils, clean smooth legs and clean vent area.
  • What varieties to buy?
    Either Pure Breeds or Hybrids. Hybrids are better layers and more affordable. All Rhode Red Island hybrid varieties are the result of over 250 years of selective breeding to achieve a placid nature (great pets) a large annual production of eggs (between 250- 300 per year). You can mix the varieties but there will always be a settling in period, the ‘pecking order’ you particularly need to keep a watch on integrating new hens if there is a marked age difference.
  • When do they start laying?
    Anywhere between 18-21 weeks.
  • What do we feed?
    Layers pellets contain everything they need, vitamins, minerals and supplements. Only additional treats should be mixed corn and none meat scraps i.e. rice, pasta, vegetables etc
  • How many to keep?
    It is addictive, recommend starting with 2 to 4 hens, but buy a coop for 6/8 in order for you to potentially expand.
  • Are they high maintenance?
    No definitely not ! You have to let them out in the morning, unlike children they put themselves to bed at dusk! Another reason to keep a couple more birds is to give fresh eggs to neighbours, relatives, in return they can close the pop holes at night, once they are in, and this helps you with evenings out or holidays. Once a month give their house a complete thorough clean out.
  • Worming and Red Mite problems?
    We recommend worming once a month this is simple, an additive to their pellets, we use Verm-X. Red Mite usually carried by wild birds can be prevented/treated by dusting the hens every 6 weeks; we use Barrier Red Mite powder or Louse Powder.
  • What kind of house?
    A number of options are available from low cost coops to nicer looking houses that look more appealing for a garden. Buy something that will provide the space for the required number of hens today with some expansion.
  • Prevention against the fox?
    A solid house will provide good protection from a fox. Watch out for lower quality internet products that fall apart in no time.
  • Will they fly away?
    No chickens like to stay where they are fed and sleep. If you are concerned clip one wing to unbalance them, if you have a low fence this is often a good idea.
  • Do I need any permissions to keep?
    Not unless you have more than 50 birds, where your flock needs to be registered with DEFRA

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