So the New Year is upon us and it’s time for a fresh start and to start implementing those New Year’s Resolutions you have set yourself! If this is the year you have decided to become more self-sufficient and you want to start keeping chickens then you’ll need a step by step guide to caring for your chickens and how to keep them safe:
The Chicken Coop:
Once you’ve decided to keep chickens the next step is to think about their housing, where are you going to keep them? For most people this will be their back garden or a plot of land. The most important thing about chicken houses is that it keeps your chickens safe from the elements and protected from predators. Many people like the idea of constructing their own chicken house but it’s not always easy to ensure they are completely safe. All our chicken coops and houses are 100% fox proof as they are all manufactured using reinforced, strong wire.
Once your chicken coop is set up you can cover the floor of the house in soft wood shavings or straw, both of these will soak up any moisture and are easy to clean.
The Food:
Chickens, much like any other animal, need a balanced diet. There are plenty of feeds available that are specifically designed to provide your chickens with the essential nutrients that they need to keep them happy and healthy.
You should invest in some good quality feeders or feed dispensers, preferably with rain hats to keep the food dry. You can also get water dispensers; make sure your chickens have fresh water available to them at all times.
The Chickens:
So now your all set up you just need the final part – the chickens! This can sometimes be the trickiest part as you need to decide which breed of chickens you would like. This can sometimes depend on how much space you have. Larger breeders will obviously take up more room, limiting the numbers of chickens you can keep.
Unless you have a fairly large area in which to keep your chickens it’s advisable not to mix different sized breeds to reduce the risk of problems when it comes to the pecking order. It’s also a good idea to get all your chickens from one breeder, this will mean they have already been kept together and it also allows them to settle into their new home quicker.
Here at Eggshell Online we are experts when it comes to keeping chickens so if you have any further question on any of our products please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
