The new year has a funny way of making us look around and think, “Okay… what needs fixing?”
We make promises to ourselves. Eat better. Be nicer. Finally clean that one drawer.
And if you keep chickens, you might also be eyeing the coop and wondering if your flock is ready for a fresh start too.
Good news. You do not need a full makeover or fancy upgrades. A simple check-in goes a long way. Think of this as a gentle wellness check for your birds. No pressure. No guilt. Just small steps that add up to healthier, happier chickens.
Grab a cup of coffee, peek out at the coop, and let’s walk through this together.
You are not looking for perfection. You are looking for changes.
Think of it like noticing a friend got quieter than usual. That small detail matters.
Shiny feathers usually mean good nutrition and health. Dull or brittle feathers can point to stress, parasites, or diet issues.
Check for broken feathers, bald patches, or signs of molting that seem off. Molting is normal, but slow regrowth can mean your flock needs more protein.
A few extra protein treats, like mealworms or scrambled eggs, can help feathers bounce back nicely.
Look for swelling, scabs, or rough spots. Bumblefoot can sneak up quietly and become a bigger problem if ignored.
Check the bottoms of feet regularly. Smooth pads are the goal. Rough, cracked skin means it is time to improve bedding and dryness.
Happy feet equal active chickens.
Ask yourself a few honest questions.
A clean coop is not about looks. It is about breathing easier and staying healthier.
Look under wings and around vents. Check roosts and coop corners. Tiny moving dots or flaky skin are red flags.
Dust baths should be dry and easy to access. Add wood ash or food grade diatomaceous earth if you use it.
Catching pests early saves a lot of stress later.
Clean waterers thoroughly. Scrub off slime. Rinse well.
Make sure water stays unfrozen in winter and shaded in summer. Dirty water spreads illness faster than almost anything else.
If you would not drink it, your chickens should not either.
Is it fresh?
Is it stored in a dry, sealed container?
Does it smell normal?
Old or moldy feed causes more problems than people realize. Digestive issues, poor laying, and low energy often start here.
Base diet should be a good quality layer feed or all flock feed. Treats are extras, not the main course.
Which brings us to…
But too many treats throw off nutrition and cause weight issues. Think of treats like dessert.
Great occasionally. Not great all day.
Vegetable scraps, grains, and kitchen leftovers should stay under ten percent of the diet. Chickens need balanced feed first.
They will forgive you. Eventually.
Egg production changes with daylight, age, stress, and weather. Fewer eggs do not always mean something is wrong.
Ask instead:
Are shells strong?
Are eggs consistent?
Are hens acting normal?
Healthy chickens lay when conditions are right. Let go of unrealistic egg expectations and focus on overall health.
Walk your fencing. Check latches. Look for digging spots. Tighten loose wire.
Even small gaps matter. A determined predator sees opportunity where we see nothing.
Winter storms, falling branches, and shifting ground can weaken barriers. A quick inspection now prevents heartbreak later.
Watch how your flock interacts. Are some birds getting bullied? Are feeders accessible to everyone?
Add extra feeding stations if needed. Make sure there is room to move, perch, and escape pushy flockmates.
Chickens care a lot about personal space. Even if they pretend otherwise.
Bored chickens get into trouble.
Scatter scratch grains occasionally. Hang cabbage or leafy greens. Change up the environment a bit.
Think of it like rearranging furniture for yourself. Same house, new vibe.
A stimulated flock is calmer and happier.
Just pay attention.
Who lays regularly?
Who limps sometimes?
Who always eats last?
Knowing what is normal for your flock makes spotting problems much easier.
Your eyes are your best health tool.
Cold climates need dry bedding and draft protection. Warm climates need shade and airflow.
Plan ahead. Do not wait until a storm hits to realize something is missing.
Chickens handle change better when we think one step ahead.
Are you enjoying your chickens?
Are chores manageable?
Does the setup still fit your life?
Burnout happens to chicken keepers too. Adjust routines if needed. Simplify where you can.
Happy keepers raise happy chickens.
Even one small improvement makes a difference. Cleaner water. Better bedding. A closer look at feet.
Chickens thrive on consistency, care, and calm attention. And so do we.
As the new year rolls in, take pride in the flock you have built. Learn from last year. Adjust where needed. Celebrate the quiet moments in the coop.
So now that you have walked through this checklist, what is the first thing you plan to improve for your chickens this year?
While you're at it, check out the following related articles:
We make promises to ourselves. Eat better. Be nicer. Finally clean that one drawer.
And if you keep chickens, you might also be eyeing the coop and wondering if your flock is ready for a fresh start too.
Good news. You do not need a full makeover or fancy upgrades. A simple check-in goes a long way. Think of this as a gentle wellness check for your birds. No pressure. No guilt. Just small steps that add up to healthier, happier chickens.
Grab a cup of coffee, peek out at the coop, and let’s walk through this together.
1. Start With a Head-to-Toe Chicken Check
Before changing anything else, take a good look at your birds.- Are they bright eyed?
- Are combs red and healthy?
- Are they moving around like their usual nosy selves?
You are not looking for perfection. You are looking for changes.
Think of it like noticing a friend got quieter than usual. That small detail matters.
2. Feathers Tell a Story
Feathers are like mood rings for chickens.Shiny feathers usually mean good nutrition and health. Dull or brittle feathers can point to stress, parasites, or diet issues.
Check for broken feathers, bald patches, or signs of molting that seem off. Molting is normal, but slow regrowth can mean your flock needs more protein.
A few extra protein treats, like mealworms or scrambled eggs, can help feathers bounce back nicely.
3. Feet and Legs Matter More Than You Think
Chicken feet work hard every day. They scratch, balance, perch, and carry some serious attitude.Look for swelling, scabs, or rough spots. Bumblefoot can sneak up quietly and become a bigger problem if ignored.
Check the bottoms of feet regularly. Smooth pads are the goal. Rough, cracked skin means it is time to improve bedding and dryness.
Happy feet equal active chickens.
4. Is the Coop Still Working for You?
Coops age. What worked last year might need tweaking now.Ask yourself a few honest questions.
- Is it dry inside?
- Does it smell fresh?
- Is there enough ventilation without drafts?
- Do roosts feel sturdy and comfortable?
A clean coop is not about looks. It is about breathing easier and staying healthier.
5. Check for Sneaky Pests
Mites and lice love fresh starts too, unfortunately.Look under wings and around vents. Check roosts and coop corners. Tiny moving dots or flaky skin are red flags.
Dust baths should be dry and easy to access. Add wood ash or food grade diatomaceous earth if you use it.
Catching pests early saves a lot of stress later.
6. Water Is Super Important
Chickens can skip a snack. They cannot skip water.Clean waterers thoroughly. Scrub off slime. Rinse well.
Make sure water stays unfrozen in winter and shaded in summer. Dirty water spreads illness faster than almost anything else.
If you would not drink it, your chickens should not either.
7. Feed Check, Quality Over Quantity
Take a look at your feed bag.Is it fresh?
Is it stored in a dry, sealed container?
Does it smell normal?
Old or moldy feed causes more problems than people realize. Digestive issues, poor laying, and low energy often start here.
Base diet should be a good quality layer feed or all flock feed. Treats are extras, not the main course.
Which brings us to…
8. Treats Are Fun, Not a Lifestyle
We all love spoiling our chickens. They make it very hard not to.But too many treats throw off nutrition and cause weight issues. Think of treats like dessert.
Great occasionally. Not great all day.
Vegetable scraps, grains, and kitchen leftovers should stay under ten percent of the diet. Chickens need balanced feed first.
They will forgive you. Eventually.
9. Egg Production Reality Check
The new year does not magically turn every hen into an egg machine.Egg production changes with daylight, age, stress, and weather. Fewer eggs do not always mean something is wrong.
Ask instead:
Are shells strong?
Are eggs consistent?
Are hens acting normal?
Healthy chickens lay when conditions are right. Let go of unrealistic egg expectations and focus on overall health.
10. Predator Proofing Is a Year-Round Job
Predators do not follow calendars.Walk your fencing. Check latches. Look for digging spots. Tighten loose wire.
Even small gaps matter. A determined predator sees opportunity where we see nothing.
Winter storms, falling branches, and shifting ground can weaken barriers. A quick inspection now prevents heartbreak later.
11. Space and Social Balance
Crowding causes stress. Stress leads to pecking, illness, and drama.Watch how your flock interacts. Are some birds getting bullied? Are feeders accessible to everyone?
Add extra feeding stations if needed. Make sure there is room to move, perch, and escape pushy flockmates.
Chickens care a lot about personal space. Even if they pretend otherwise.
12. Mental Stimulation Counts Too
Yes, chickens get bored.Bored chickens get into trouble.
Scatter scratch grains occasionally. Hang cabbage or leafy greens. Change up the environment a bit.
Think of it like rearranging furniture for yourself. Same house, new vibe.
A stimulated flock is calmer and happier.
13. Health Records and Observation
You do not need a spreadsheet, unless that is your thing.Just pay attention.
Who lays regularly?
Who limps sometimes?
Who always eats last?
Knowing what is normal for your flock makes spotting problems much easier.
Your eyes are your best health tool.
14. Prepare for Seasonal Changes
The new year often brings new weather challenges.Cold climates need dry bedding and draft protection. Warm climates need shade and airflow.
Plan ahead. Do not wait until a storm hits to realize something is missing.
Chickens handle change better when we think one step ahead.
15. Check Yourself Too
This one matters.Are you enjoying your chickens?
Are chores manageable?
Does the setup still fit your life?
Burnout happens to chicken keepers too. Adjust routines if needed. Simplify where you can.
Happy keepers raise happy chickens.
A Fresh Start for the Flock and You
You do not need to fix everything at once.Even one small improvement makes a difference. Cleaner water. Better bedding. A closer look at feet.
Chickens thrive on consistency, care, and calm attention. And so do we.
As the new year rolls in, take pride in the flock you have built. Learn from last year. Adjust where needed. Celebrate the quiet moments in the coop.
So now that you have walked through this checklist, what is the first thing you plan to improve for your chickens this year?
While you're at it, check out the following related articles:
