I notice a lot of mistakes by new chickenkeepers!
Here is a list of the 5 most common mistakes made by new chickenkeepers and how to fix them!
#1 Too small runs for large amounts of chickens
This one is a really common mistake by new chickenkeepers! When you have a large amount of chickens (15+) and a smaller run suited for 9 or 10! How you fix this, you either have to expand your run, or let your chickens out in your yard to free range. If you don't know what this means, it means you let your chickens out of their run into your yard and let them eat grass and forage for bugs. If you are looking to get chickens and you don't know how much space you need for the amount for the chickens you want, read this: https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/how-much-room-do-chickens-need/
#2 Only 1 feeder and waterer with 8+ chickens
Experienced chickenkeepers get this question a lot by new chickenkeepers, and it's usually "Why is my chicken so skinny?" or "Why did my chicken die when I did nothing wrong?' Why these happen is because chickens can be feisty, and fight over who gets food and water at certain times. It depends on the pecking order. the chickens at the top get the food and water first, and the chickens at the bottom get it last, and usually this happens with flocks with bantams and full-size chickens combined. the bantams are at the bottom of the order, and the big chickens starve the little chickens by making them eat and drink last. To stop this is to get multiple feeders and waterers. You need 1 feeder and waterer per 8 chickens or 10 bantams.
#3 Too many roosters
30% of new chickenkeepers with roosters have more than 1.
Well, sometimes this is good, sometimes this is bad.
If the roosters have been raised in the same litter, this is good because they usually become friends. If you have multiple roosters from different litters on the other hand, it can get deadly, roosters fight over pretty much everything, Ladies, Food, What coop they sleep in, etc. And if both of the roosters that get in a fight have talons, they could kill one-another. I recommend having 1 rooster as a starter when you're new to keeping chickens. There is no way to stop roosters from fighting besides separating them.
#4 Adding young chickens too quickly
Nothing is more heartbreaking than finding that your flock has killed the new pullets you couldn't resist adding to your flock.
For safety reasons, new flock members need to be separated and then introduced very slowly. Chickens take their pecking order very seriously and if you mess it up, things end badly.
#5 Not being prepared for sick chickens
Illness happens. Chickens can have health problems, just like us. Knowing what the common problems are can really help if something starts going wrong.
Other health issues include hens that become egg bound, fly strike, and other problems that can occur. I can't list them all here, but with a basic understanding of some common potential problems, you can better be on the look out.
Spending time with your chickens and watching how they act is the best way to get to know how healthy they are. You'll be able to tell much easier when they act "off" if you are somewhat in touch with your girls.
This is all for this article!!
Bye and remember to be happy with your hens!!
Here is a list of the 5 most common mistakes made by new chickenkeepers and how to fix them!
#1 Too small runs for large amounts of chickens
This one is a really common mistake by new chickenkeepers! When you have a large amount of chickens (15+) and a smaller run suited for 9 or 10! How you fix this, you either have to expand your run, or let your chickens out in your yard to free range. If you don't know what this means, it means you let your chickens out of their run into your yard and let them eat grass and forage for bugs. If you are looking to get chickens and you don't know how much space you need for the amount for the chickens you want, read this: https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/how-much-room-do-chickens-need/
#2 Only 1 feeder and waterer with 8+ chickens
Experienced chickenkeepers get this question a lot by new chickenkeepers, and it's usually "Why is my chicken so skinny?" or "Why did my chicken die when I did nothing wrong?' Why these happen is because chickens can be feisty, and fight over who gets food and water at certain times. It depends on the pecking order. the chickens at the top get the food and water first, and the chickens at the bottom get it last, and usually this happens with flocks with bantams and full-size chickens combined. the bantams are at the bottom of the order, and the big chickens starve the little chickens by making them eat and drink last. To stop this is to get multiple feeders and waterers. You need 1 feeder and waterer per 8 chickens or 10 bantams.
#3 Too many roosters
30% of new chickenkeepers with roosters have more than 1.
Well, sometimes this is good, sometimes this is bad.
If the roosters have been raised in the same litter, this is good because they usually become friends. If you have multiple roosters from different litters on the other hand, it can get deadly, roosters fight over pretty much everything, Ladies, Food, What coop they sleep in, etc. And if both of the roosters that get in a fight have talons, they could kill one-another. I recommend having 1 rooster as a starter when you're new to keeping chickens. There is no way to stop roosters from fighting besides separating them.
#4 Adding young chickens too quickly
Nothing is more heartbreaking than finding that your flock has killed the new pullets you couldn't resist adding to your flock.
For safety reasons, new flock members need to be separated and then introduced very slowly. Chickens take their pecking order very seriously and if you mess it up, things end badly.
#5 Not being prepared for sick chickens
Illness happens. Chickens can have health problems, just like us. Knowing what the common problems are can really help if something starts going wrong.
Other health issues include hens that become egg bound, fly strike, and other problems that can occur. I can't list them all here, but with a basic understanding of some common potential problems, you can better be on the look out.
Spending time with your chickens and watching how they act is the best way to get to know how healthy they are. You'll be able to tell much easier when they act "off" if you are somewhat in touch with your girls.
This is all for this article!!
Bye and remember to be happy with your hens!!
