Chicken Care Guide
Everything you need to know about raising happy, healthy chickens
Essential Care Areas
Housing
Proper housing is essential for your chickens' health and safety. Key considerations include:
- Adequate space (4-10 sq ft per bird)
- Proper ventilation
- Protection from predators
- Nesting boxes and roosts
- Easy access for cleaning
Feeding
A balanced diet is crucial for healthy chickens and good egg production:
- Quality layer feed
- Fresh water daily
- Grit for digestion
- Calcium supplements
- Healthy treats in moderation
Health Care
Regular health maintenance helps prevent problems:
- Regular health checks
- Vaccination schedule
- Parasite prevention
- Clean environment
- Quick response to illness
Seasonal Care
Summer Care
- Provide shade
- Extra water sources
- Cooling strategies
- Heat stress prevention
Winter Care
- Draft prevention
- Extra bedding
- Heated water
- Winter feeding
Spring Care
- Coop cleaning
- Breeding preparation
- Parasite control
- Garden protection
Fall Care
- Molt support
- Winter preparation
- Egg production changes
- Predator awareness
Daily Care Routine
Establishing a consistent daily routine is key to maintaining healthy chickens:
- Morning: Feed, fresh water, collect eggs, quick health check
- Afternoon: Check water, monitor behavior, collect eggs
- Evening: Secure coop, final egg collection, refill feed if needed
Common Health Issues
Watch for these common health problems and know when to seek veterinary care:
- Respiratory issues: Sneezing, wheezing, nasal discharge
- Parasites: Mites, lice, worms
- Egg binding: Difficulty laying eggs
- Bumblefoot: Infected foot pads
Record Keeping
Maintain records of:
- Egg production
- Feed purchases and consumption
- Health treatments and vaccinations
- Behavior changes and unusual events
Need More Information?
Explore our breed profiles to learn about specific care requirements for different chicken breeds.