Creating a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual schedule for new chicken owners

[jakmak71]

I am new to chicken raising, and I thought it would be cool to create a schedule for things that you need to do daily, weekly, monthly, and annually. It would be very helpful for both me and all other new chicken raisers. I also thought you guys could just post some things to put on it and if it should be daily or whatever. Thank you!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Daily:
*Let chickens out of coop in the morning

*Fill or check waterers

*Fill or check feeders

*Remove eggs, mark them and store them pointed end down

*If there is any damp areas or places covered in droppings in the coop, remove them

*Observe your chickens and see if there are any unusual problems

*Toss out scratch, pumpkin seeds, oats or other treats in the afternoon

*Lock up chickens in coop at night

Weekly:
*Clean feeder as needed

*Scrub waterer and add apple cider vinegar and garlic (Remember, apple cider vinegar and garlic should be added to the water every other week or every three weeks. Also, apple cider vinegar shouldn’t be added to metal waterers as it will destroy them.)

*Add litter to nest boxes and remove droppings

*Add new herbs to nests, run and coop

*Spot clean coop

Monthly:
*If needed, mow grass in run

*Examine all parts of coop for wear, leaks and other things that need repairing

*Check that roosts are sturdy and don’t have any rough or splintery areas

*Remove and refill litter in nest boxes

*Check that all latches and locks are secure

*Visit feed store and buy feed, grit, bedding etc. if needed

*Scrape any droppings off roosts

Annually:
*Clean everything in coop and make any necessary repairs

*Add fresh, clean bedding and herbs to coop, run and nest boxes

*Scrub windows, feeders, waterers and any other objects

*Repair any worn or sagging places on fences


Spring:
*Spring clean your chickens’ run and coop (this is one of your annual clean outs.)

*Plant grass and if wanted, garden and herbs in run

Summer:
*Collect eggs more often so they don’t spoil

*Check water frequently, refill as needed and make sure it’s kept fresh and cool.

*Make sure your chickens have some sort of shade and that they don’t overheat

Fall:
*Deep clean your coop and get everything ready for winter (this is the other annual clean out.)

*Repair any places in the coop and run that snow and wind can enter and chill your chickens

Winter:
*Collect eggs more often so they don’t freeze

*Shovel your chickens run and walkway to the coop

*If wanted, have some sort of heat and/or light in the coop

*Check water and refill as needed and don’t let it freeze (or you can buy a heater for it.)

 

[jakmak71]

Wow! Haha thanks a lot, this will help me incredibly!

 

[dazookeyper]

thanks helpful for sure

 

[whittychick]

Daily:
*Let chickens out of coop in the morning

*Fill or check waterers

*Fill or check feeders

*Remove eggs, mark them and store them pointed end down

*If there is any damp areas or places covered in droppings in the coop, remove them

*Observe your chickens and see if there are any unusual problems

*Toss out scratch, pumpkin seeds, oats or other treats in the afternoon

*Lock up chickens in coop at night

Weekly:
*Clean feeder as needed

*Scrub waterer and add apple cider vinegar and garlic (Remember, apple cider vinegar and garlic should be added to the water every other week or every three weeks. Also, apple cider vinegar shouldn’t be added to metal waterers as it will destroy them.)

*Add litter to nest boxes and remove droppings

*Add new herbs to nests, run and coop

*Spot clean coop

Monthly:
*If needed, mow grass in run

*Examine all parts of coop for wear, leaks and other things that need repairing

*Check that roosts are sturdy and don’t have any rough or splintery areas

*Remove and refill litter in nest boxes

*Check that all latches and locks are secure

*Visit feed store and buy feed, grit, bedding etc. if needed

*Scrape any droppings off roosts

Annually:
*Clean everything in coop and make any necessary repairs

*Add fresh, clean bedding and herbs to coop, run and nest boxes

*Scrub windows, feeders, waterers and any other objects

*Repair any worn or sagging places on fences


Spring:
*Spring clean your chickens’ run and coop (this is one of your annual clean outs.)

*Plant grass and if wanted, garden and herbs in run

Summer:
*Collect eggs more often so they don’t spoil

*Check water frequently, refill as needed and make sure it’s kept fresh and cool.

*Make sure your chickens have some sort of shade and that they don’t overheat

Fall:
*Deep clean your coop and get everything ready for winter (this is the other annual clean out.)

*Repair any places in the coop and run that snow and wind can enter and chill your chickens

Winter:
*Collect eggs more often so they don’t freeze

*Shovel your chickens run and walkway to the coop

*If wanted, have some sort of heat and/or light in the coop

*Check water and refill as needed and don’t let it freeze (or you can buy a heater for it.)

Perfectly said

 

[jakmak71]

Daily:
*Let chickens out of coop in the morning

*Fill or check waterers

*Fill or check feeders

*Remove eggs, mark them and store them pointed end down

*If there is any damp areas or places covered in droppings in the coop, remove them

*Observe your chickens and see if there are any unusual problems

*Toss out scratch, pumpkin seeds, oats or other treats in the afternoon

*Lock up chickens in coop at night

Weekly:
*Clean feeder as needed

*Scrub waterer and add apple cider vinegar and garlic (Remember, apple cider vinegar and garlic should be added to the water every other week or every three weeks. Also, apple cider vinegar shouldn’t be added to metal waterers as it will destroy them.)

*Add litter to nest boxes and remove droppings

*Add new herbs to nests, run and coop

*Spot clean coop

Monthly:
*If needed, mow grass in run

*Examine all parts of coop for wear, leaks and other things that need repairing

*Check that roosts are sturdy and don’t have any rough or splintery areas

*Remove and refill litter in nest boxes

*Check that all latches and locks are secure

*Visit feed store and buy feed, grit, bedding etc. if needed

*Scrape any droppings off roosts

Annually:
*Clean everything in coop and make any necessary repairs

*Add fresh, clean bedding and herbs to coop, run and nest boxes

*Scrub windows, feeders, waterers and any other objects

*Repair any worn or sagging places on fences


Spring:
*Spring clean your chickens’ run and coop (this is one of your annual clean outs.)

*Plant grass and if wanted, garden and herbs in run

Summer:
*Collect eggs more often so they don’t spoil

*Check water frequently, refill as needed and make sure it’s kept fresh and cool.

*Make sure your chickens have some sort of shade and that they don’t overheat

Fall:
*Deep clean your coop and get everything ready for winter (this is the other annual clean out.)

*Repair any places in the coop and run that snow and wind can enter and chill your chickens

Winter:
*Collect eggs more often so they don’t freeze

*Shovel your chickens run and walkway to the coop

*If wanted, have some sort of heat and/or light in the coop

*Check water and refill as needed and don’t let it freeze (or you can buy a heater for it.)

As i said thanks a lot, but what do you mean by adding herbs to nest boxes ? What does the garlic do for the water ? What type of light do I need in MN (gets down to -30 or -40 in winter), and do i need a timer for it ?

 

[whittychick]

Not sure about the garlic?!! I wouldn't add any but I'm sure it helps fight bacteria or something! I personally don't heat my coop in winter...love that my girls adapt naturally. But everyone does things differently!

 

[YardBirdMom]

I didn't see lice/mite control for the birds mentioned or worming them:

I am adding DE (Diatamaceous earth - doubt I spelled that right lol) to the areas in the run they like to dust bathe in - My research shows this is a natural way to rid chickens of these critters and prevent infestations on the birds and in the coop/run. I spread it in the cracks, crevices, nest boxes and in the sandbox below my roosts, on the floor and anywhere else I can get it. So far, so good.

At 12 weeks I did a one time worming with Wazine - It is not recommended once they start laying because you cannot eat their eggs for a LONG time - been told a month, or two.

Can some of you experienced folks that approve of worming please list what you use and when you use it. Thanks!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

As i said thanks a lot, but what do you mean by adding herbs to nest boxes ? What does the garlic do for the water ? What type of light do I need in MN (gets down to -30 or -40 in winter), and do i need a timer for it ?

Here's a link I wrote about herbs in the nest. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/nest-box-aromatherapy Garlic serves many purpose in the water. It fights bacteria, is a natural wormer, aids in digestion and is overall very healthy.
You only need a timer if you don't trust yourself to turn on and turn off the light at different times. Chickens need 16 hours of light a day to lay eggs, so you'll need to provide that in the winter.

 

[jakmak71]

Here's a link I wrote about herbs in the nest. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/nest-box-aromatherapy Garlic serves many purpose in the water. It fights bacteria, is a natural wormer, aids in digestion and is overall very healthy.
You only need a timer if you don't trust yourself to turn on and turn off the light at different times. Chickens need 16 hours of light a day to lay eggs, so you'll need to provide that in the winter. 

Do I put the light in the coop or run ? And just a regular light or heat lamp ?