by Anne StClair

Created on: January 01, 2007   Last Updated: April 23, 2007

Raising back yard chickens is the best thing I've ever done, and I can't imagine life without my 'chooks' now.

Here are some tips about raising chickens, from my own experiences.

THE HEN HOUSE
If you're going to keep back yard chickens, you will need a good hen house. This can be as simple as a garden shed, or can be an elaborate affair, but whatever you decide to use, you will ideally provide a series of rails or poles for the chickens to roost on. The rails should be wide enough for the hens' feet to wrap around so she can sleep without losing balance. I have three rails, but they all love to get on the highest one, and jostle for the best positions.

You will also need to provide at least one nesting box with plenty of clean straw. I have found a large nesting box, big enough for several hens to be in at a time works best, as they seem to enjoy laying eggs together. The nesting box I use has a door flap at the front, and an opening at the side so the inside of the box is quite dark. Always make sure there is clean straw.

If predators are a problem where you live, you will also need a fenced enclosure to keep the predators out.

FOOD AND WATER
Chickens need a supply of clean, fresh water, and of course, they need to be fed well if they're going to produce lots of beautiful eggs for you. I have found it is much better and cheaper to buy food in bulk. I don't like pellets (and neither do my chooks!), because I prefer to know what they are eating.

I feed them a good grain mix in the morning and a mash of bran and pollard in the evening. I add shell grit (see below) to the mash, and on hot days, I add ice. On cold wintry nights, I add a dash of mixed spice or curry powder to the mash to keep them warm during the night. If you have baby chicks, you will need to start them out with a chick crumble, since this contains the protein they need, plus medications to stop them getting sick.

I also feed my chooks greens such as the outer leaves of cabbage, spinach, cooked broccoli, and so on. Lettuce should be used with caution as it tends to cause diarrhoea. They also love cooked leftovers and bread, and they are particularly fond of sweet corn (which produces rich yellow yolks in the eggs). Chickens will not touch onions or garlic.

HOME MADE SHELL GRIT
Always save the egg shells when you use the eggs, and use them to make your own shell grit. When you have a basket full of egg shells, place them in a warm oven for 20 minutes, then turn the oven off and leave the shells in the oven

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