Content
- Chicken space
- What should a good chicken coop look like?
- chicken feed
- the health of chickens
- Basic needs of chickens
Although they are more associated with the production of eggs or meat, the truth is that chickens can be excellent Pets. Just live with them to realize that they have nothing to do with the silly bird image often attributed to them. You'll be surprised how smart and affectionate they can be.
In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain how to raise chicken at home, simply to enjoy your company.
Chicken space
First, before even thinking about adopting a chicken, it is essential that we assess whether we have the time to care for it and the space to keep it. Starting in this section with the question of accommodation, as we'll explain how to raise chicken in the following sections, it is important that the space where she will be covers the basic needs of these birds.
Thus, it is not only necessary to think about providing them with a chicken coop or similar space where they can shelter, rest and sleep. They also need an area, even if it's not very big, in which they have access to the outdoors and can perform their favorite activities, like pecking, sunbathing or taking a bath in the earth.
What should a good chicken coop look like?
The chicken house, house or space we provide for our chickens must not only provide shelter but also safety and must be easy to clean. A perfectly closed enclosure will not only keep the hen dry and warm, but also will prevent other animals from entering.
These animals can be predators, whose visit can lead to a fatal outcome, but also small rodents that are looking for food and are also a source of pathogens. In this sense, elevated feeders are a good option to prevent access to food. However, if the hen only spends the night, she will not eat in the dark. A good option is to keep the hen outdoors during the day., from dawn, weather permitting, and then take her back to her chicken coop at dusk.
Regardless of the building material used, it must be easy to clean, as hygiene and sometimes disinfection must be carried out regularly. It's also a good idea scatter or similar on the floor as this will absorb moisture from the droppings.
Only the dirty part needs to be removed frequently and replaced with clean material. Furthermore, the chickens like to climb high places, therefore, you should prepare, for example, some pieces of wood that are wide enough to cross from wall to wall and allow the hen to climb them.
And if you've just adopted it and want to know how to raise chickens, in this other article we've presented a number of suggested chicken names.
chicken feed
Although the idea that chickens eat corn, grasses and earthworms is widespread, the truth is that their diet should be much broader. They are omnivorous animals, so even if you give your hen land where she can peck, she needs more types of food.
We can find cereal-based preparations for sale to feed chickens at different stages of their lives, but they also eat other cereals, fruits, vegetables, pulses, seeds and even fish, meat and eggs.
You food must always be available for them, as long as there is sunlight. The chicken will peck throughout the day, but if we give it something that might spoil it, it's best to offer it in small quantities and remove any leftovers so it doesn't spoil or attract insects and predators.
In our article on what chickens eat, you can read in detail about what the diet should be like, which will help you profoundly in how to raise chicken, as you will know which foods are recommended and which should be avoided. Also, don't forget that clean, fresh water should be available to her throughout the day.
Lastly, chickens eat rocks and gravel that are lodged in their gizzards to help them digest their food, as they have no teeth. If they have a land to peck on, they will get the gravel themselves. otherwise, a mineral component for this purpose it must be added to your food, which can be purchased at specialty stores.
the health of chickens
Proper housing and quality food are the keys to raising chickens to ensure good health. In any case, it is appropriate to establish a standard of regular deworming, both internal and external. In veterinary clinics or pet shops you can find different dewormers for this purpose.
In any case, always use them in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and, if in any doubt, consult a veterinarian. Also, depending on where you live and the hen's vital circumstances, she may need to be vaccinated. This is a decision for the veterinarian to make. Only this professional can administer the vaccines.
On the other hand, at certain times of the year, the hen can lose more feathers than normal without any pathology. However, if we see that it has uncovered areas, its crest and barbels change color, her eggs become deformed or she does not lay them, she has mobility problems, she stops eating or we notice any other unusual signs, we should consult a veterinarian. In this article, you can find the most common diseases in chickens.
Basic needs of chickens
In addition to good housing, adequate food and the veterinary care mentioned above, chickens need to be able to perform your natural behaviors. This includes digging, making nests, hiding and sometimes eating your own eggs, climbing poles, enjoying the sun, catching insects or bathing in the earth.
But it's not just these activities that we're going to see them do. If you want to know how to raise a chicken at home, it's important to interact with her and so you will be amazed at your ability to learn. They quickly understand what their hours are and obey us when we call them to eat or to enter the chicken coop. They will also get along with any other pet in the house and may even get along with dogs or cats.
A hen that does all these activities, eats, has a normal bowel movement, lays almost one egg a day when the weather allows, and looks good and shows us that we are taking care of her properly. In other words, if we respect the 5 freedoms of animal welfare, the result will be a happy chicken.
If you want to read more articles similar to how to raise chicken, we recommend that you enter our Basic Care section.