Keeping your chickens healthy

My healthy Silver Laced Wyandotte free-ranging!


Here are some ways to keep your chickens healthy and happy.

1. Cleaning the coop
Cleaning the coop is very important for keeping happy, healthy chickens. If you don't clean the coop you risk an infestation of lice, mites, and other parasites. Cleaning your coop isn't always easy but it sure is worth it. Start by getting all the bedding from the floor of the coop and the nesting boxes and dumping it. If any eggs have cracked then make sure to clean up that mess too. Then if needed you can scrub any really soiled spots with some soap and water. Dry it then put some fresh shavings in. Don't Use Cedar. It is toxic. (I use pine shavings) Also if you want to you can use a Garden and Poultry Dust to dust the coop and it keeps out parasites. My chickens sometimes perch in the nesting boxes and poop in them instead of laying eggs in them. Clean out the poop in the nesting boxes every day or when needed. If your chickens (like mine) perch on top of the coop during the day, there will be a lot of poop up there. Scrape it off.

2. Cleaning Feeders and Waterers
Cleaning these out around every two weeks is a good idea. If you have a plastic waterer it gets pretty slimy so you will need to scrub that with some soap and water. If you want to put some Apple Cider Vinegar in the water, but only in plastic waterers not in metal. If there is any poop in the water dump it out and give them some fresh water. Make sure your chickens have fresh clean water at all times. The feeders aren't very dirty unless they have been pooped on or have gotten dirt or something in them. Clean them with soap and water. And make sure you rinse them well.

3. Keeping Feed Clean
Make sure that you store your feed in places where bugs, mice, and rats won't get into. Plastic containers or metal trash cans work fine. Always make sure that the tops are closed and make sure that the feed inside cant get wet and turn moldy. Make sure there is no poop in the feed (like mice and rat poop).

4. Worming Your Chickens
If you want to worm your chickens then worm them if you see any worms in their poop or if your chickens have been around other poultry that has them. There are a lot of different wormers, and you can easily find them in your local stores like Tractor Supply or Southern States.

5.Letting your chickens free-range
This is a great way for your chickens to get some nutrition by eating fresh bugs and grass. Also getting out in the fresh air is good for them instead of being cooped up in a run. If you can't free-range your chickens then instead you could move their pen to a fresh patch of grass (if you have a movable coop) you could also buy a pen and use that for them. They love being able to go run around in a new place.

These are just a few of the things to keep your flock healthy. There are a lot of ways to help your flock stay happy and healthy but these are the basics. I'm sure you can find other ways too. Reading and searching for ways to keep your flock healthy is a good idea if you want to make sure they get the care they need, and sometimes you come across something very helpful you didn't expect.



My Mutt Rooster and Buff Orpington Hen free-ranging.

Thank you for checking out this page. If you have any comments or questions feel free to ask me. I would be happy to answer it and to see your comments.



~Willow Branch Farm~