Although they are more related to the production of eggs or meat, the truth is that chickens can be excellent pets. You just have to live with them to realize that they have nothing to do with the image of silly birds that is often attributed to them. We will be surprised how intelligent and affectionate they can be. In this article on our site we will explain how to take care of chickens at home, just to enjoy their company.
Chicken housing
First of all, before even thinking about adopting a hen, it is essential that we assess whether we have time to care for it and space to keep it. Starting in this section with the issue of housing, as we will explain how to care for chickens in the following, it is important that it covers the basic needs of these birds.
Thus, you don't just have to think about offering them a chicken coop or similar space where they can take refuge, rest and sleep. They also have to have a land, even if it is not very big, so that they can enjoy the fresh air and their favorite activities, such as snacking, sunbathing or take a dirt bath.
What should a good chicken coop look like?
The chicken coop, shed or space that we offer our hen must guarantee not only shelter, but also security and, furthermore, it must be easy to clean. That it is perfectly closed will not only keep the hen dry and warm, but will also prevent other animals from gaining access to its enclosure.
These can be predators, whose visit is likely to be fatal, but also small rodents looking for food, as well as being a source of pathogens. In this sense, the elevated troughs are a good option to avoid access to the feed. In any case, if the chicken only spends the night inside, in the dark it will not eat. It is a good idea that it stays outside during the day, from dawn, as long as the weather allows it, and, at dusk, we move it to its chicken coop.
Regardless of the construction material we use, it must be completely cleanable, since hygiene and, sometimes, disinfection, must be done periodically. In addition, it is convenient to spread shavings or similar on the ground, since it will absorb the humidity of the depositions.
Only remove the dirty part frequently and replace it with clean material. On the other hand, chickens like to climb high places, so it will be necessary to prepare, for example, a couple of pieces of wood wide enough to cross from wall to wall and allow the chicken to climb on them.
Feeding the hens
The idea that chickens eat corn, grass and worms is still widespread, but the truth is that their diet must be much broader. They are omnivorous animals. Thus, although we offer our chicken a place to peck, it needs more food.
On sale we can find cereal-based preparations to feed hens at different stages of their life, but they also eat with taste other cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds and even fish, meat and eggs.
Food must be Always at your disposal, as long as there is sunlight. Our chicken will peck throughout the day, but if we give it something that can spoil, it is better to do it in small quantities and remove the excess so that it does not spoil or attract insects and predators.
In our article on what chickens eat you can read, in detail, how your hen should be fed, which foods are recommended and which ones are best avoided. Also, don't forget that you should have fresh clean water at your disposal throughout the day.
Finally, the hens ingest pebbles and gravel that remain lodged in the gizzard to help them digest food, since that lack teeth. If they have a field to peck at, they will get this grit themselves. Otherwise, it will be necessary to add a mineral component to your food for this function that we can buy in specialized establishments.
The he alth of chickens
Proper housing and quality food are the keys to maintaining the he alth of our hen. In any case, it is appropriate to establish a pattern of regular deworming, both internally and externally. In veterinary clinics or animal product stores we can find different dewormers for this purpose.
In any case, always use them following the manufacturer's instructions and, if you have any doubts, consult a veterinarian. In addition, depending on your place of residence and the life circumstances of the hen, it may need some vaccination It is a decision that the veterinarian will make. Only this professional can give vaccines.
On the other hand, at certain times of the year, the hen can lose more feathers than normal without causing any pathology. But, if we see that it has bare areas, its crest and beards change color, its eggs are deformed or it does not lay them, it has mobility problems, it stops eating or we notice any other unusual sign, we should consult the veterinarian. In this article you can find the most common chicken diseases.
Basic needs of chickens
In addition to good housing, proper nutrition and the veterinary care that we have mentioned, hens need to be able to develop their natural behaviorsThis includes digging, preparing nests, hiding and sometimes eating their own eggs, climbing poles, sunbathing, catching insects or taking dirt baths.
But we will not only see them perform these activities. Chickens also need the interaction with their keepers and we may be surprised by their ability to learn. They immediately understand what their schedules are and will obey us when we call them to eat or to enter the coop. They will also interact with any other animal in the house and can even get along with dogs or cats.
A hen that performs all these activities, eats, has normal bowel movements, lays practically one egg a day when the weather allows it, and looks good and is in good color is telling us that we are taking care of it correctly. In other words, if we respect the 5 freedoms of animal welfare, the result will be a happy hen.
